An exploration into the Narrative techniques used by Roger Mais in his novel, Brother Man

In the novel, Brother Man, Roger Mais uses a number of narrative techniques, These include foreshadowing, characterization, allusion, flashback.
        Foreshadowing refers to a suggestive peice in a literary work which begins to develop an idea before it actually occurs. In this way it serves as an introduction to a few of the book's main characters. Foreshadowing is evident in the "Chorus of the People in the Lane" like at the beginning of the book. On page eleven, there is mention of Bra Ambo. We get the sense that he is someone of great influence but are still not quite made aware of his purpose in the novel. His predictions are taken seriously by the villagers but the reader doesn't yet know why. In the chorus of the people in the lane Cordelia's name also appears and is related to her boyfriend who has been taken up by the police for drugs. This signifies Cordelia's problematic position even at the very start of the book. This continues throughout the book and only gets worst.
      From the series of foreshadowing among the villagers we also learn that they respect Bra Man as a godly man stating that he shows the gospel way. In the same respect there is already some comparison drawn between himself and Bra Ambo. The contradiction between them is shown when someone says that they'd rather follow Bra Ambo's way. Already Mais is letting the reader know that there is some difference between both Brother Man and Bra Ambo.
     Another technique used by Roger Mais is characterization. Characterization refers to the way in which a writer creates characters in a narraive so as to repel or attarct our sympathy. I think Mais did an excellent job in regards to characterization as all characters in the novel clearly fall under the category of either repelling or attractign our sympathy. Characters such as Brother Man, Minette, Girlie,Cordelia, Jesmina are all model examples of characters within the novel that would attract a reader's sympathy. Meanwhile characters such as Papacita and Bra Ambo definitely are exempt from this bunch. Brother Man attracts sympathy from readers as despite his sincerity, compassion and kindness he is jailed, beaten, and rejected. Further more Minette, his trusted companion suffers inside while witnessing all of this happen to someone she cares so deeply about. This also gives readers a reason to be sympathetic towards Minette. Jesmina also is somewhat in the same position as Minette but her problems are much more as her sister Cordelia's actions causes her to worry about Cordelia's sanity and love towards her. Though both Girlie and Cordelia both commit homicide they still attract the reader's sympathy as they have both been mistreated, taken advantaged of and wronged by others in the most devastating of ways. Cordelia, by Bra Ambo and Girlie by Papacita.
         Thirdly, allusion is used in the novel. The main allusion used in Brother Man is when Brother Man himself is referenced to Jesus Christ. Allusion is a passing reference in a work of literature to something outside of itself. We can see this throughout the novel from the wonderous works performed by Brother Man to the brutal beating he received nearing the end of the novel. It allows the reader to have a better understanding and appreciation of the plot in a novel.
         Flashback is another very evident narrative technique in the novel, Brother Man. Infact most of the flashback used pertains to Brother Man himself. The writer uses flashback to in some way bring forth Brother Man's stream of consciousness. There is flashback in the scene on page 153-156 when Brother Man tells the story of his once lover,Velta and friend Ben. As Brother Man tells the story of his past to Minette, it brings them closer together and the outpour of Brother Man's emotions is strongly felt by the reader. Flashback is also seen in Minette's memory of when she first met Brother Man. The writer takes us back to the very beginning of their relationship, giving us a brief history and better understanding of how they came to be. If the writer hadn't done this then the novel would have been lacking and the reader's would be lost.
         The will written by Brother Man is also another form of flashback used by Mais. In this letter Brother Man tells of his younger days and the start of his journey as a rastafarian. The story takes place in Kingston, Jamaica in a lower class community. Some of the themes used by Brother Man to portray the various characters within this community are domestic violence, love, surrow, murder and revenge. Domestic violence was shown in the relationship between Papacita and Girlie. Love on the other hand is shown between Brother Man and Minette. Not intimate love but a love much more special where he genuinely cares for Minette and in exchange she has love for him. There is unconditional love shown by Brother Man to everyone in the novel. There is love shown by Jesmina for her sister.
         Surrow is another very prevalent theme in the novel. Surrow is shown by Cordelia in the loss of her amn then her child. Brother Man bore surrow when his very own people turned against him. Girlie experienced surrow at the hand of Papacita. In the novel Girlie and Cordelia both commit murder, making murder the third most significant theme in the novel. Finally the most exciting and obvious theme in the novel,in my opinion is vegeance. Bra Ambo seeks to take revenge on Brother Man for refusing to assist him in hiding his obeah materials from the police. He succeeds in doing so by turning Cordelia against Brother Man. Cordelia seeks to take revenge on Brother Man because she thinks he did her wrong by not choosing not to heal her son from his illness. Finally, the most extreme revenge taken by a character in the novel was Girlie when she murdered her ex lover, Papacita. Even Papacita in his own small way sought to take revenge on Brother Man who he thought was withholding Minette from him.
          The various plots used by Mais in the novel are quite interesting. There is the plot of Papacita and Girlie. There is the plot of Cordelia, Jesmina and her son. there is also the plot of Brother Man and Minette. Nevertheless Mais manages to find a clever way to keep the characters linked together. They are somehow all at least a bit aware of each other's situation.

Criticisms of the book, "Brother Man"

           The book, "Brother Man", written by Roger Mais has drawn a number of criticisms from various individuals. One of these being Annie Paul who describes the book as being interesting and relevant even in these modern times. One of the reasons why she says this is because Rastafarianism has now become so acceptable and even encouraged in today's day. She then makes reference to major reggae superstars such as Bob Marley.
         Critics such as the Macmillan Publishing Company has also labelled the book as the first Jamaican novel to portray a rastafarian protagonist in positive terms. However critics say that times have change and so in some ways the book is irrelevent. Nevertheless many still see the book as being nothing less than timeless regarding social issues. Mais is very gender sensitive says Paul. This is seen in the relationship he uses in the book such as Girlie and Papacita.

Rastafarianism: The facts

      The Rastafari movement compared to the other religious movements is a relatively new syncretic religion. It arose in a christian culture in Jamaica but has since spread all over the region, and even other parts of the world. Rastafarians are those who worship Haile Selassie of Ethiopia, former emperor of Ethiopia. Rastafari is not a highly structured religion but moreso a mentallity of the people.It is a movement, an ideology and a way of life. The name Rastafari is taken from Ras Tafari, the pre- regnal title of Haile Selassie I, composed of Amharic Ras and Haile Selassie's pre-regnal given name, Tari.

Rastafarianism: What do the people say?
         
     While researching rastafarianism, I asked local people, family and friends about their take on the religion. I then found out quite a bit of interesting and unexpected information. Please comment on my blog which of these things seem true and which of them seem false.Please be open minded.

1. There are more males who practice rastafarianism than females.
2. Many think of Selassie as a great prophet and the black God. (God of the black people)
3. The occasional "Sela" you see in the bible at the end of some verses represents Selassie.
4. One doesn't have to have dread locks to be a rasta.
5. Rastafarianism is for the poor, disadvantaged and depressed.
6. Rastafari means humble.
7. Rastafarianism is not very different from christianity.

A Bibliogarphy on Roger Mais

Roger Mais was a Jamaican journalist, novelist, poet and playwright. He was born on August 11, 1905 in Kingston to a middle class Jamaican family. Roger Mais enjoyed many successes in his lifetime and by 1951 Mais had already received ten first prizes in West Indian literary competitions. Through his literary expressions, Mais played a very important role in the cultural and political development of Jamaica. He was then thereby awarded the high honour of the Order of Jamaica in 1978.       
         Surely he had made a significant impact on Jamaica and the region as his novel, Brother Man is used in schools throughout the Caribbean. Mais started his career as a journalist and contributor for the weekly newspaper, Public Opinion from 1939 to 1952, which was affiliated with the People's National Party. He also wrote several plays, reviews, and short stories for the newspaper Focus and the Jamaica Daily Gleaner, focusing his articles on social injustice and inequality. He used this approach to reach his local audience and to primarily push for a national identity and anti-colonialism. Roger Mais will be remembered not only as an amazing writer but as a man for the people, a writer for the people and most importantly a writer who wrote on important issues such as poverty and political injustice.