In the novel The Wine of Astonishment, the writer Earl Lovelace makes us aware of the struggles of Bonasse, a rural community in Trinidad. We meet two outstanding characters in the novel, Bee Dorcas the village pastor, and Bolo,

Authors Avatar by ronsterboyable (student)

Sunday 24th June 2012

Q:        Compare the characters Bolo and Bee showing:

Similarities and differences in their personalities

The extent to which those in power in the society try to break their spirit

How far society is successful in doing so

A:                        

                In the novel “The Wine of Astonishment,” the writer Earl Lovelace makes us aware of the struggles of Bonasse, a rural community in Trinidad. We meet two outstanding characters in the novel, Bee Dorcas the village pastor, and Bolo, the champion stickfighter. Though there may be distinct differences between them, these characters are still similar in several ways.

                Both Bolo and Bee are leaders in one way or the other. Bee is the spiritual leader, the head of the Shouter Baptiste church and the man who the village depends on for guidance and religious uplifting. However, Bolo is a warrior leader to the village. The huge similarity between Bee and Bolo exists in their care for the village. Bee’s concern for the people is shown in his persistence to lead the church even when the Shouters’ Prohibition Ordinance has been passed. It is also shown when he fights for Ivan Morton to become a representative on the legislative council. Even though Morton betrayed the village, Bee saw his election as an opportunity for the small village of Bonasse to have a voice and for a proper man to make the government hear that voice. Bolo’s concern meanwhile is shown when he fights against the police to defend the arrested church followers. Ironically, his shocking “badjohn” behavior also showed his care for the village. He was stealing from the people and even ended up kidnapping Primus’ daughters, but only because he wanted them to stand up for themselves. He hoped that if they could stand up to him, then they would be able to stand up to the authorities. Apart from their similarities, there exists a stark contrast between Bee’s and Bolo’s leadership styles. Bee is rational and calm in thinking, His decisions bear in mind the long term well being of the village. This is shown when he turns down the chance to fight the police. He feared that such an action would cause an even bigger war with the authorities; one which eventually end in defeat for them. However, Bolo only looks to make decisions which have immediate impact. He is more aggressive and does not care about the repercussions of his choices. For example Bolo is adamant that Prince needs to be killed not thinking about the backlash that this action could have on the village. His aggressive leadership is also shown when he himself fights Prince and the police. He didn’t care about the consequence, the possibility of imprisonment.

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                Bolo and Bee both experience some form of oppression by these individuals in society. Bee for example is burdened by the country’s harsh rejection of his village church. First they ban the practice of the religion with the Shouters Baptiste Prohibition Ordinance and then they also inflict harsh punishment on Bee and his followers such as when Prince invades the church. Bolo is also affected by the authority’s tyranny of the church. In the first chapter Eva describes him as shocked and disappointed when the church fails to sing with the zeal they were accustomed to. Bolo is further oppressed ...

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