Brother Man Questions

Narrative Techniques

Imagery - this is shown in the last chapters of the book when Brother Man was being beaten.  The way the author describes the scene, a vivid picture is created for us, the readers.

Setting – the main setting of the story is Orange Lane in Kingston Jamaica.  At the beginning of the story, the author describes a setting in the story.  For instance, at the beginning of the first chapter (Chorus of the people in the lane), the author creates a vivid setting of the lane in which the characters in the story lived.  He talks about the way they spoke, the way they behave on the street corners and the way in which the houses and shops were located through the lane.

 

How is characterization developed?

In doing this, Roger Mais describes the attitude of each character.  For instance, with the way he describes Papacita character, we are able to see that he is a womanizer.  We are also able to see that although he and Girlie are in a relationship, he has no love whatsoever for her.  He abuses both her and the fact that she loves him.  Roger Mais also uses description to make the characters seem real.  For instance, he describes the many fights Girlie and Papacita have.  This is a case of abuse and happens to many women around the world.  He describes it in a way so that it can relate to reality, thus making the characters seem real.

Where is the setting of the story?

The setting of the story is Orange Lane.  This is a street in Kingston Jamaica.

What are some themes highlighted in the book?

Love- love can be considered a major theme in Brother Man.  This is shown in the relationship that Girlie and Papacita have.  Although she is a victim of abuse, she stil sticks by his side and does everything for him.  Even though she knows the bad things that he does, she does not leave him because she believes that she loves him.  This love however is not mutual.  We can tell that Papacita cares nothing about Girlie because of the way he treats her.

Another case in which this theme is highlighted is in the case of Jesmina and Cordelia.  We see the love that Jesmina has for her sister because of the fact that Jesmina was the one who stayed by her side during her sick days.  She was also there during her hard times.  The times when Cordelia decided to go to Bra Ambo for help and turn against Brother Man were the worst of all times.  She began going crazy but her sister went nowhere, she was there for her.  Jesmina went to lengths to get help for her but nothing could be done.

The love that Cordelia had for her son Tad is another case where this theme is highlighted.  Although she was sick, she always asked of her son.  When he bacame sick she did everything she could to make him better.  Thinking that Brother Man was of no help to her son, she ended up going to Bra Ambo for help.  Although this was wrong of her, the love she has for her son is shown since she was willing to make such a sacrifice for the sake of making him well.

The final part that I think that love is highlighted is in the case of Minette and Brother Man.  Minette was taken up off the streets by Brother Man and because he was not like the other men who took advantage of her, she ended up falling for him.  Brother Man however does not see her as a woman he should marry but only as a daughter.  She is willing to do anything for him but being the Godly man that he is, he tries to ignore the fact that she loves him and sees these them as things a daughter should do.

Betrayal- this theme is highlighted firstly in the case of Cordelia and Brother Man.  Being the loving man that he is, he usually helped Cordelia.  When it came to the sickness of her son, thinking that Brother Man could not heal her son’s sickness, she runs from him to Bra Ambo’s side.  In doing this she betrays Brother Man.  He is also betrayed by the people in the lane. 

This theme is also evident in the case of Papacita and Girlie.  Papacita betrays the love and trust that Girlie once had for him by going out every day and coming back in late at night.  He has no respect for her nor does he care how she feels.

Greed – this can be seen when it came to Bra Ambo.  He was greedy for power and money.  He wanted the power to heal the sick just as Brother Man could.  In doing this, he turns Cordelia against Brother Man.

Hatred – this theme is obvious in the case of Bra Ambo.  He hates Brother Man because he has powers he does not.  This is also seen when it comes to Papacita.  He also hates Brother Man.  This is because he thinks that Brother Man is the one standing in the way of him winning Minette over.

Poverty – this is also a major theme in the story.  By the way that Brother gives money to both the needy and others who do not need it at the moment. We are able to see that these people live in poverty.  Also by the way Roger Mais describes the setting of the story, this theme is also highlighted.