Kwaku: Or, The Man Who Could Not Keep His Mouth Shut: Analysis of Major Characters
"Kwaku: Or, The Man Who Could Not Keep His Mouth Shut" is a narrative that explores the complexities of its major characters, primarily focusing on Kwaku Cholmondeley, an orphan with a tumultuous journey. Raised by an unsupportive uncle, Kwaku grows up believing that ignorance offers protection, while intelligence leads to suffering. As a shoemaker, he is characterized by his comic behavior and a strong sense of superiority, despite his ultimate decline into poverty after initially finding success as a healer. His relationships are pivotal, particularly with his wife, Miss Gwendoline, who struggles with jealousy and the burden of raising their children alone after Kwaku's departure.
Blossom Dean, Kwaku’s lifelong friend, serves as his conscience and represents self-sufficiency and loyalty, though their connection becomes complicated by unfulfilled desires and secrets, such as Kwaku being the father of her child. Mr. Barzey, an elderly neighbor and mentor, shares a bond with Kwaku through their mutual struggles, but ultimately faces his own tragic end. The story also delves into the lives of Kwaku's daughters, Philomena and Rona, each grappling with their identities and familial expectations. Overall, the narrative paints a rich tapestry of human relationships, ambition, and the consequences of one’s choices, reflecting broader themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning within a community.
Kwaku: Or, The Man Who Could Not Keep His Mouth Shut: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Roy A. K. Heath
First published: 1982
Genre: Novel
Locale: Guyana
Plot: Tragedy
Time: The second half of the twentieth century
Kwaku Cholmondeley (KWAH-kew CHUHM-lee), the protagonist. Kwaku, an orphan reared by his uncle, becomes convinced early in life that “there was much protection in idiocy, and that intelligence was like the pimpla palm, bearer of good fruit, but afflicted by thorns.” Despite his inability to keep his mouth shut and his comic posturing, Kwaku, who becomes a shoemaker, is convinced of his superiority and of his special destiny. He retains this belief throughout his marriage to Miss Gwendoline, whom he loves deeply. He eventually leaves his village to seek his fortune. Although for a period he attains success as a healer, he ultimately fails and ends his life in terrible poverty, abused by his children.
Blossom Dean, Kwaku's lifelong friend and conscience, the village bookworm. She becomes a bus conductor and spends ten years living with a boyfriend, Wilfred Service, whom Kwaku must eventually pressure into marrying her. She is self-sufficient, loyal, and bossy. Although Kwaku is not attracted to her, he has a brief affair with her late in life. Unbe-known to Wilfred, it is Kwaku who is the father of Blossom's only child.
Miss Gwendoline, Kwaku's wife. Although theirs was an arranged marriage, it is a loving one. Miss Gwendoline, however, is skeptical of Kwaku's schemes to attain greatness and jealous of his relationships with Blossom and with his friend Mr. Barzey. Miss Gwendoline bears Kwaku eight children, for whose care she becomes single-handedly responsible upon Kwaku's departure for New Amsterdam. She partially supports the household by making and selling blood pudding. She is struck blind by a fisherman who is angry at her husband and who puts a spell on her. After this catastrophe, she loses control over the children and loses touch with reality, becoming an alcoholic.
Mr. Barzey, Kwaku's neighbor, a faith healer whom Kwaku originally befriends during Mr. Barzey's failed attempt to cure him of his gray hairs. Although somewhat senile and under the thumb of his vengeful daughter-in-law, the retiree becomes Kwaku's mentor and only male friend, teaching him how to become a photographer. Mr. Barzey, after a long struggle with his daughter-in-law, who he feels deprives him of freedom, ends up hanging himself.
Kwaku's uncle, who rears him after his mother dies and his father disappears. He has little affection for his nephew.
Philomena, Kwaku's favorite daughter, who grows to be a flirtatious teenager, much to her mother's dismay. She is ultimately disturbed by what she sees as the incestuous overtones of her relationship with her father.
Rona, Miss Gwendoline's favorite daughter. She is obedient and self-sacrificing. She becomes her mother's helper after Miss Gwendoline is blinded. Finally, however, she rebels and runs off with a lover.