Some narrative techniques that Roger Mais used in his novel Brother Man, were techniques such as setting, plot, characterization, foreshadowing and flashback.
How does Roger Mais develop characterization?
Roger Mais developed characterization by using humans instead of cartoon characters and by using human he was able to portray them as having real personalities and this helped in characterization and the writing of the book. Not only that, he also used everyday processes such as the setting and how the people interacted with each other.
What is the setting?
Brother Man was set in Jamaica, along a lane or valley in a very poverty stricken community.
What are some of the themes?
Some of the themes in the poem are:
- Poverty
- Obeah
- Generosity
- Anger
- Hatred
- Jealousy
- Love
- Religion
- Lust
- Greed
- Abuse
- Friendship
- Superstition
Bra Ambo’s plot to get his revenge on Brother Man - It was believed by the people in the village that Bra Ambo was dealing with obeah. It so happened that one day Bra Ambo heard a rumor that the police was looking for him to search his house and he knew that if they searched him they would have found his obeah and dealt with him accordingly. Knowing this, he went to Brother Man for help but Brother Man refused to help him because Brother Man didn’t believe in obeah. Bra Ambo got upset at Brother Man’s refusal and used Cordelia to plant counterfeit money in Brother Man’s house and set up Brother Man so he went to jail.
Papacita getting rid of Brother Man- Papacita was a covetous man that thought he could have had every woman he laid eyes on. He wanted Minette but he knew that Minette love or had a thing for Brother Man. Papacita being the scamp that he was, thought that if Brother Man went to jail he would get Minette but in the end he thought it better that if he bailed out Brother Man, Minette would come running to him.
Foreshadowing was present when Girlie and Papacita had countless fights and in the end she killed him as a result. Also, when Papacita took the counterfeit money from Fellows in the end it was used to frame someone and lastly when Bra Ambo wanted revenge for Brother Man’s refusal to help him he used Cordelia to frame him.
How was flashback displayed?
Flashback was displayed when Brother Man was writing in his little book about his passed life and how he went to prison for the first time. Also, it was displayed when the author was talking about Minette’s passed life. Comparing it to her present life assuming that maybe it was because of her passed life why she had a thing for Brother Man. Flashback was also present when Cordelia was remembering her passed life before Tod got sick and her boyfriend was arrested. Also, when the lady passed and told Brother Man peace and love, the young man and woman there was telling him about her past.
How has religion played an important role in the novel Brother Man?
Religion has played an important role in Brother Man because the whole book was practically built on religious views. You could see the difference between good and evil for example Bra Ambo and Brother Man. Not only that but you could have seen that Brother Man was a religious character in the book so that brought religion to light because Brother Man had healing powers and believed in God and told everyone he saw about God’s wonderful character. Brother Man himself was an allusion of Christ himself because in the novel he stoned just like how Christ did and suffer persecution.
