Ti –Jean & His Brothers.

Summary

TI-JEAN AND HIS BROTHERS is written by Derek Walcott

St.Lucian. In his literary work, the plot line is centered on themes
involving heaven, hell, life and colonialism. Three brothers bid
goodbye to their mother and set off on separate missions to find their
way in the world. The boys are given a challenge that if any one of
them can outwit the devil and get him to feel the emotion of anger
they would be able to live in wealth and peace. All three boys have
different capabilities which they rely on to help them to defeat the
devil. However, it is only one of them who is able to be successful.
Ti Jean & His Brothers

List of Central Characters in the Play.

Cricket

Frog

Firefly

Bird

Gros Jean

Mi Jean

Mother

Bolom

Old Man, or Papa Bois

Planter

Devil
 Themes

When we study a literary text it is essential to identify the themes

highlighted. The themes can be categories as central themes and
sub-themes

Central theme- This is what the story is fundamentally about. It is

the main focus of the story.

Sub theme- it is a secondary or subordinate theme

Colonialism and Racism

--One of the Devil’s disguises is as the Planter, the owner of a large cotton and
sugar cane plantation in the Caribbean, where colonial slave owners were
notorious for their violence and brutality. Gros Jean describes the plantation
where he works, saying that it is “estate-like … sugar, tobacco, and a hell of a
big white house where they say the Devil lives.” Here, Walcott paints the
stereotypical image of a slavery plantation which existed during the colonial
period.

--Similarly, when Mi-Jean speaks with the Devil—who at that point is disguised
as the Old Man—the Old Man frustrates Mi-Jean by comparing him to an
animal.

He notices this is upsetting Mi Jean and the old man/planter states,

“Descendant of the ape, how eloquent you have become... And yet, poor
shaving monkey, the animal in you is still in evidence…” This comparison that
Walcott makes is based on the ideologies where black people have been
constantly compared to monkeys being deemed the least superior being to that
of the white man.

Sub- theme

Pride vs. Humility

-Gros Jean and Mi Jean are full of self/pride. They are both wrapped
up in their own abilities and believe that this would enable them to
defeat the devil. One is confident about his physical strength while the
other is caught up in his intellectual abilities. They are however both
defeated by the devil as a result of their pride. Ti Jean however, does
not possess any special ability and he relies solely on his common
sense. He is humble and as a result of this he is able to defeat the
devil.

The play is divided in three sections.

Act 1

Focuses on the Journey of Gros- Jean

Gros-Jean has decided to leave home to make his own way in the world. His
mother tries to give him advice about protecting himself from the devil but he
disregards her advice by stating, ‘I know all of this already’. Gros-Jean physical
strength equals power (I have an iron fist). Gros-Jean believes brute force is the
solution to all his problems.
Act 2

Focuses on the journey of Mi-Jean

Like his brother Mi-Jean is also arrogant. He believes his intellectual abilities
surpass all others. Therefore, he believes he can outsmart the devil.

He too goes to work for the devil (the planter/oldman); however, he refuses to
speak. Once again the devil uses his weakness to destroy the brother.

Act 3

Focuses on the journey of Ti-Jean

Like his brothers before him, Ti-Jean leaves home to go and conquer the Devil.
Unlike his brothers, he is able to outsmart the Devil by allowing him to
experience a range of emotions. Ti- Jean unlike his brothers however, possesses
common sense and as such he is able to conquer the devil.