The Wine of Astonishment: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Wine of Astonishment" explores the lives of several poignant characters against the backdrop of cultural and political oppression in Trinidad. Bee, a dedicated Spiritual Baptist preacher, embodies resilience and leadership as he grapples with the challenges of maintaining his faith community amid legal restrictions. His wife, Eva, serves as the novel's dialect-speaking narrator, offering insights into her unwavering devotion to her family and faith, while advocating for education as a means of overcoming systemic oppression.
Bolo, a once-revered stickfighting champion, struggles with personal and societal changes as traditional values erode, ultimately leading him to rebel against the injustices faced by his community. Ivan Morton, a politician with a troubled past, represents the complexities of ambition and betrayal, as he becomes entwined in a world that forsakes its roots. Other characters, such as Lord Trafalgar and Corporal Prince, further enrich the narrative, illustrating the varied responses to the socio-political climate. The interplay between these characters highlights themes of identity, resilience, and the quest for dignity in the face of adversity, offering readers a profound look at the struggles and triumphs within their community.
The Wine of Astonishment: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Earl Lovelace
First published: 1982
Genre: Novel
Locale: Bonasse, a village in Trinidad
Plot: Social realism
Time: The 1930's to 1951, with flashbacks to 1917
Bee, a Spiritual Baptist preacher and a farmer. A dedicated, conscientious, and responsible leader, he struggles for years to keep his church alive despite a law prohibiting his sect's religious practices. He is strong, dignified, righteous, and long-suffering. Faced with increased official repression, the disintegration of his congregation, and the loss of his children's respect, he bravely but reluctantly breaks the law and endures the brutal consequences. Hopeful that black political representation will change the law, he works tirelessly for the election of Ivan Morton only to feel trapped, humiliated, and despairing when his trust is betrayed. Challenged by Bolo to restore the integrity of the community, Bee decides on violent, redemptive action but is circumvented when the police intervene. As the novel closes, religious freedom has been restored, but Bee is unable to recall the Spirit to his church. He feels that the Spirit still lives in the steel band.
Eva, Bee's wife, the dialect-speaking narrator of the novel. A self-sacrificing, middle-aged black woman, she is devoted to her religion, her five children, and her husband, for whom she is a supportive confidante and moderating influence. Relatively uneducated but observant and worldly-wise, she believes that God has afflicted black people with tribulations but given them the strength to bear and overcome their sufferings. She views brown-skinned people as tools of the whites while trying to understand and excuse Ivan Morton for betraying his past and his race. Despite Morton's example, she advocates education for her children as a way to escape poverty and powerlessness.
Bolo, a famous stickfighting champion and an estate laborer. Tall and slim, with a broad nose, high cheekbones, and full lips, he is the strongest and bravest man in Bonasse. A favorite of the village, he is good-natured, humorous, helpful, and sympathetic but begins to change when the war starts and ritual stickfighting is banned. With the arrival of American soldiers and easy money, many Trinidadians become hustlers and prostitutes, traditional values are forgotten, and Bolo becomes increasingly bitter and unimportant. Looking to Bee and his church to maintain the people's identity and integrity, Bolo tries to protect the congregation from police brutality, is badly beaten, and is jailed for three years. After his release, Bolo is appalled and heartbroken by the church's acquiescence in the ban on its traditional practices and by the general moral and political corruption. Enraged by their weakness, he deliberately antagonizes and terrorizes the villagers, hoping to provoke them into reclaiming their dignity and self-respect. He fails in his aim when he abducts two village girls and is fatally shot by the police.
Ivan Morton, a minister in the Legislative Council. The son of a poor black estate worker, he is respected as a teacher before turning to politics. He is ambitious, insensitive, self-serving, and cynical. Always seen as the hope of the village, he assumes the trappings of the old white “plantocracy.” He forgets his promises and rejects his past and the values of those who elected him. As a young man, he impregnates and then abandons a local black girl and soon afterward marries a light-skinned woman who speaks correct English. He further reveals his sense of social and racial inferiority when he urges the Spiritual Baptists to become “civilized” and states, “We can't change our colour… but we can change our attitude. We can't be white but we can act white.” To ensure black support, Morton has religious freedom granted just before the election.
Clem, later known as Lord Trafalgar, Bolo's friend. Lively, gregarious, and adaptable, he keeps his self-respect while taking advantage of the changes in Trinidad. Formerly a leader in traditional stickfight chants and bongo songs, he satisfies the demands of a new audience and becomes a calypso singer known as Lord Trafalgar.
Corporal Prince, a policeman. Tall, thickset, and powerful, he follows orders and zealously scourges Spiritual Baptist churches around the island. Hungry for promotion and taking pleasure in brutality, he ruthlessly persecutes other black people, including Bee and his congregation, without compassion or understanding.
Mitchell, a laborer for the Americans, a snackette owner and political organizer. Loud-mouthed, dishonest, and corrupt, he is a thief, black marketeer, and moneylender who boasts of his wealth. He treats Bolo with disrespect and is punished as a result. He turns his talents to working for Ivan Morton.