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Solibo Magnificent
195
Solibo Magnificent
By Patrick Chamoiseau
Kamile, Richard, Giuliana, Derek, Leiraniz, Sofia, Carlos, Adriana
Prof. Dominguez
May 22, 2018
Solibo Magnificent
Reanactment
Author
Patrick Chamoiseau was born on december 3, 1953 in Martinique, where he currently resides. After he studies law in Paris he returned to Martinique. There he got inspired and took a close interest in Crede Culture. His novel Texaco was awarded the Prix Goncourt in 1992, and was chosen as a New York Times Notable Book of the year.
Chamoiseau may also be considered as one of the most innovative writers to hit the French Literary Scene. Using novels, essays, tales, and films scripts to present his art. As we can see he is an amazing writer.
Patrick Chamoiseau
Setting
Setting
The story takes place in the island of Martinique, that is currently held as a French region. Not a territory, but as an actual overseas part of France. As such, those born on the island are automatically French citizens.
The people of Martinique are mainly of African descendants, however, Martinique actually has a rising Chinese community.
The official language is French, although most people, in addition, can speak Martiniquan Creole.
As expected, the island blends French and Caribbean culture. For a time, Saint-Peter, a city in Martinique was referred to as the “Paris of the Caribbean”. When it comes to music, the Martiniquan’s are known for a genre called Zouk, which was actually quite popular throughout the 20th century. They also feature a Caribbean style of music called Calypso.
Summary
The novel is written in first person. It is set during Carnival time on the Caribbean island of Martinique. The novel is about how Solibo is found dead under a tamarind tree after a night of spell-binding story telling. Chief Sergeant Philemon Bouafesse and Chief Inspector Evariste Pilon decide to speak to Solibo’s last audience because they think one of them is the responsible for killing him. They end up beating a woman to death, the one who reported Solibo’s death. The story goes on with the police trying to solve the case, through extreme interrogations, and other questionable methods.
In this novel, the author wanted to demonstrate the value in the Creole oral culture. He used this form of a novel to educate the readers on this culture. The tone of the author in the novel is concerned and ironic.
Setting
The story takes place in the island of Martinique, that is currently held as a French region. Not a territory, but as an actual overseas part of France. As such, those born on the island are automatically French citizens.
The people of Martinique are mainly of African descendants, however, Martinique actually has a rising Chinese community.
The official language is French, although most people, in addition, can speak Martiniquan Creole.
As expected, the island blends French and Caribbean culture. For a time, Saint-Peter, a city in Martinique was referred to as the “Paris of the Caribbean”. When it comes to music, the Martiniquan’s are known for a genre called Zouk, which was actually quite popular throughout the 20th century. They also feature a Caribbean style of music called Calypso.
SUMMARY
The novel is written in first person. It is set during Carnival time on the Caribbean island of Martinique. The novel is about how Solibo is found dead under a tamarind tree after a night of spell-binding story telling. Chief Sergeant Philemon Bouafesse and Chief Inspector Evariste Pilon decide to speak to Solibo’s last audience because they think one of them is the responsible for killing him. They end up beating a woman to death, the one who reported Solibo’s death. The story goes on with the police trying to solve the case, through extreme interrogations, and other questionable methods.
In this novel, the author wanted to demonstrate the value in the Creole oral culture. He used this form of a novel to educate the readers on this culture. The tone of the author in the novel is concerned and ironic.
CHARACTERS
Characters
MAIN CHARACTERS:
1. Chief Inspector Evariste Pilon
works for the Department of Criminal Investigation of Fort-de-France
- Is revealed to be the narrator of the story
- gathers and interrogates the witnesses
2. Solibo Magnificient
- Currently deceased
- approximately 55 years old
- Physically: bushy mustache and goatee
- Outgoing personality: talked to everyone and had elegant gestures
- “Master of the unanswerable word”
Secondary characters
Secondary Characters:
1. District Attourney
decides how the case is handled
2. Chief Sergeant Philémon Bouafesse
Forms part of the team in charge if investigating the prime suspects
3 Dr. Gabriel Siromiel
coroner
4. Lolita Boidevan (Doudou- Ménar)
Big woman
- Single mother
- sells candied fruits
- First one to alert the authorities of Solibo’s death
5. Eloi Apollon (Sucette- lollipop)
Musician that always accompanied Solibo, plays the drums
Nicknamed after his love for alcohol, especially Neisson rum
Secondary characters
SECONDARY CHARACTERS
10. Richard Coeurillon (Lioheart)
factory worker
11. Bateau Français (Congo)
Nationality: African
“he seemed to owe death four centuries”
Is hardly understood by the townspeople because he speaks a dead language of African origins
6. Antoinette Maria- Jésus Sidonise
Works as a sherbert vendor
7. Zozor Alcide- Victor
Syrian: term they used to describe Martinician Arabs
Described as a lady’s man and great dancer
8. Gustave
Lolita’s son
Musician: forms part of a “Latin band”
9. Patrick Chamoiseau
author of the novel, portrays himself as an unemployed witness
is inspired by Solibo, to keep writing
Secondary characters
SECONDARY CHARACTERS
12. Charles Gros- Liberté (Charlo)
- Part of Solibo’s musicians, plays the saxophone
13. Justin Hamanah (Didon) and Pierre Philoméne Soleil
- Street vegetable vendors
14. Conchita Juanez y Rodriguez
- Nationality: Colombian
- Not a permanent resident of Martinique
- Described, in the official police report, as looking like a hooker
15. Sosthéne Versailles (Ti- Cal)
Municipal employee
Forms part of the Martinican Progressive Party (Independentist)
16. Edouard Zaboca
- Works as a farmer
THEMES
Themes
Language and Culture
The book touches on various slangs and french commonalities, including Creole culture, such as one police officer’s name, Chief Sergeant Philemon Bouafesse, which means “Wood-ass” in English. On the topic of culture, tensions between tourists and Martiniquais are highlighted a few times, including once in the middle of the book when a police officer casually references assault committed on some tourists who took a picture of some random people.
Death
DEATH
Of course the titular character’s death is the main driving point of the story, but the book also goes into detail regarding how those around him react and take in his death. At first his death is met with panic and disbelief as one character outright refused to believe that Solibo died, for the simple reason of “people don’t die like that”. However, you also have another character’s death, that being Doudou Menar, who is the woman that reports Solibo’s death to the police, and ironically she is killed by the police as a result of a beating.
POLICE ABUSE
After Solibo’s murder, the police is convinced that the killer had to be among those who were listening to his stories, and thus proceed to beat information out of everyone who was present. As the book proceeds and the police get more and more desperate, the senseless beatings continue all throughout the book.