Discussion Topic
Exploring Themes and Key Elements in "Beka Lamb"
Summary:
Beka Lamb by Zee Edgell explores the struggles of two Creole friends, Beka and Toycie, against the backdrop of Belize's quest for independence. Key themes include colonialism, racial conflict, and societal roles. The novel highlights Beka's growth and Toycie's tragic fate, reflecting Belize's tumultuous path to self-determination. Through flashbacks and character interactions, the book addresses the impact of colonial influence, economic challenges, and the societal pressures faced by women in Belize during the 1950s.
What is the summary of chapter seven in Beka Lamb by Zee Edgell?
Beka Lamb by Zee Edgell traces Beka's teenage difficulties and the effect her friend, Toysie's, death has on her. The flashbacks can be confusing and reflect Beka's own conflicts as she grows and develops from a child to womanhood. In chapter seven, Beka recalls the local store owned by Mr Gordillo who always prays for Beka and her family and who makes Beka aware of the sacrifices her parents have made to send her to the private convent school she attends. Unfortunately, she has failed her grade and whilst she has lied about it, she is beginning to accept responsibility by admitting it to Mr Gordillo.
Beka also remembers her grandfather's visit and the reader learns a little about Beka's heritage. Her grandfather is half English and hankers after visiting England if he can "get a pile together" and save up enough money. Beka's mother suggests that they have...
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faith in their own country but her father suggests that it is "wiser to invest abroad." Beka had never met her grandfather before so there is also a distance between him and his family.
Next Beka remembers the bougainvillea that she planted which unexpectedly grew large and caused some disagreement with the neighbors. "Peace and happiness" is really all Beka's mother wants and she does not wish to upset anyone and, although the bougainvillea was planted successfully by Beka, it is more important to maintain calm between neighbors. The bougainvillea somehow symbolizes Beka's potential for Granny Ivy who is not happy at it being cut down.
What are the key elements in chapter 13 of Beka Lamb?
This chapter begins with some allusions to the effects of colonialism on Belize. Beka's father encourages her to buy shoes from a local Creole businessman, for example, to support him as a local businessman. Beka also notes that there is only one Creole grocer left nearby. The locals are unable to compete with the big chain stores from the United States and other western nations, and the "little guys" are being driven out. This is an important theme of the novel.
Another important part of this chapter is that Toycie's pregnancy is first hinted at. Toycie comes to pick Beka up for the first day of school, and she is obviously sick. She tells Beka her stomach hurts. Uh oh! And then, she vomits! A bad sign.
Vomiting was never regarded lightly among the women of Belize. It was something to be observed with theutmost suspicion.
As the chapter ends, Beka sees Toycie following Sister Virgil up the stairs to her office. Another bad sign.
What themes are displayed in chapters 15 and 16 of Beka Lamb?
Two important themes in Beka Lamb are the issues of colonialism and racial conflict. During the time of the novel, Belize was struggling for its political identity. There are five distinct races identified in the novel and in Belize at the time, and they are all struggling to get along with each other.
In chapter 15, Bill Lamb has a discussion with his mother, Granny Ivy, over what shirt he prefers to wear to work. His mother has ironed a shirt for him that is in the style of the "Guats" - people from Guatemala. Guatemala was trying to take over Belize and re-institute Spanish colonialism. Bill does not want to wear this shirt for fear it might indicate political leanings that he does not have. The PIP (People's Independent Party) group to which Granny Ivy belongs favors an alliance with Guatemala to solidify Spanish influence in Central America. Bill Lamb is not happy about British Colonialism in Belize, but he has come to accept it. He fears that if the British leave, Belize will fall into anarchy. He tells his mother:
Hatred of British colonialism unites us now. There are so many races here I wonder what will keep us together once they leave.
Emilio represents the Spanish influence in Belize, and Toycie represents the Creole. This is the chapter where Toycie tells Beka she is pregnant. This situation also represents the oppression of the Spanish against the Creoles, as Emilio will later refuse to marry Toycie.
In chapter 16, Emilio tells Toycie he cannot marry her, fulfilling Beka's earlier prophecy that Bakras do not marry "Creoles such as we." This chapter intensifies the theme of racial and political conflict of the prior chapter.
You can read more about the themes right here on eNotes.
What is the main theme of the book "Beka Lamb"?
Beka Lamb is the story of two friends, Beka and Toycie. It is also the story of Belize and its struggle towards independence. More than anything, it is the story of the struggle of the Creoles to carve out a place for themselves in Belizean society, economically, politically and socially. Both Beka and Toycie's angst-ridden young lives mirror the painful birth pangs of a young country on the verge of change.
During the 1950's, Belizean society was mostly made up of seven ethnic groups: Bakras, Expatriates, Panias, Creoles, Maya, Caribs and Coolies.Through the lives of its characters, the novel brings out the struggle between those who want to continue as a British colony (priding themselves on living in the only English-speaking country in Central America), and those who would prefer a return to Spanish influence. The story centres around Beka and Toycie, two Creole girls who attend Catholic school. Both girls are repeatedly warned by the nuns never to get pregnant. The traditional culture of Belize apportions men and women their respective roles in life. Both Beka and Toycie try to take the nuns' warnings about getting pregnant to heart as they do not want to end up like many Creole women who live in extreme poverty, with no husbands, poor job prospects, and no education to better theirs and their children's circumstances in life. Sadly, Toycie falls pregnant by young Emilio, whose family is Pania. Panias have a higher position in Belizean society than the Creoles, and he refuses to marry Toycie. On top of this, Toycie is expelled from the Catholic school while Emilio is not. Now, she is living the nightmare she has been warned about. Ironically, the name of the school she is expelled from is The Sisters Of Charity. Toycie is eventually committed to the Belize Mental asylum;after wandering off during a hurricane, she dies when her skull is crushed by a falling mango tree.
Toycie and Beka's story represents the struggles of a nation chafing under British rule and the struggle to determine the best course of action for Belizean society. Within families, the political divide threatens to shatter the peace and comfort of Belizean citizens. While Beka's parents want Belize to stay under British rule, Beka's Granny Ivy want Belize to turn back to its Spanish roots. Belize was a Spanish colony before the British drove the Spanish out of Belize. Although the school which Toycie and Beka attend represents Spanish colonial rule (the Spanish Catholics dominated the education system in Belize), it is Beka's win in the essay contest which highlights for us the turning point in the story: Belize moves forward to claim its independence from British rule and Beka realizes that she does not have to be stuck in the same poverty cycle of destitution and despair. Belize's independence is recognized by the British in 1981 and Guatemala, which had laid claims to Belizean land since the 1800's, also recognizes Belizean independence in 1991. Today, Belize is a British commonwealth state, with its own elected Prime Minister and the Queen of England as the Head of State.
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References