The Palm-Wine Drinkard Characters
The main characters in The Palm-Wine Drinkard are the narrator, the palm-wine tapster, and the narrator’s wife.
- The narrator is the novel’s protagonist, a man who loves to drink palm-wine and who possesses magical powers of transformation.
- The palm-wine tapster, who inhabits Deads’ town, was once a man named Baity who lived in the narrator’s town.
- The narrator’s wife is trapped by a magical skull until the narrator rescues and marries her.
Characters
The Narrator
The narrator, often referred to as the palm-wine "drinkard," remains a flat character throughout the novel, providing minimal insight into his own emotions. He is depicted as a man of simple desires, primarily driven by the pursuit of palm-wine and the avoidance of fear. Originating from a wealthy family, he enjoys a life of leisure, dedicating his youth to drinking palm-wine with his companions. His narrative is marked by an unreliable nature, as he frequently describes magical occurrences and extraordinary events, all while indulging in vast quantities of palm-wine.
Identifying himself as the "Father of the gods who could do anything in the world," the narrator bears a title that remains ambiguous. As the story unfolds, he reveals his extraordinary ability to transform into various creatures and elements, a skill he employs to overcome diverse challenges. When his personal palm-wine tapster dies, the narrator embarks on an adventure to the town of the dead to retrieve him. He carries his father's magical implements as he navigates through perilous landscapes, at times using them to transform his wife into a portable wooden doll. His odyssey not only tests his character but also shapes it, culminating in his overcoming a dependency on palm-wine and assuming the role of a savior for his people by resolving a cosmic feud.
Baity, the Palm-Wine Tapster
Baity, the narrator’s dedicated palm-wine tapster, plays a pivotal role in the narrative despite his absence in the living world. Having passed away after falling from a palm tree, Baity now resides in Dead’s Town, unable to return to the land of the living or accompany the narrator. However, he remains a benevolent figure, recognizing the narrator and treating him with kindness. He provides the narrator with palm-wine and a magical egg, both of which become crucial in the narrator's journey, including the alleviation of a terrible famine.
The Lady/The Narrator’s Wife
The narrator’s wife is introduced when she is rescued from the clutches of a bush creature by the narrator. She possesses the gift of prophecy, though her predictions are cryptic and often misunderstood by the narrator. Throughout their journey, she accompanies him, sometimes becoming passive and primarily following his lead. Despite her limited agency, she plays a significant role in his life, providing companionship and mysterious prophecies. Her beauty is noted, and her presence is a constant during the narrator's many adventures. Her prophecies, though difficult to interpret, add an enigmatic layer to their travels.
The Curious Creature/The Skull
Referred to variously as the Curious Creature and the Skull, this entity first appears as a "complete gentleman" whose alluring appearance is deceiving. In reality, he is a skull adorned with rented human body parts, used to captivate young women, including the narrator’s eventual wife. This creature plays a crucial role in the narrator's early adventures, as it is her rescue from him that leads to their union.
The Old Man/God
The Old Man, perceived by the narrator as a god, assigns the narrator challenging tasks. The first task is trivial, requiring a bell from a blacksmith, while the second is profoundly harmful, involving bringing Death to the town. His motives remain opaque, and he appears hesitant to disclose the tapster's location.
The Head of the Second Town
The head of the second town claims to know the tapster's whereabouts and is truthful in his assertion. He is depicted as humane and reasonable, driven by his desire to save his daughter and grateful towards the narrator.
Zurrjir
Zurrjir, the narrator's son, is a formidable and dreadful character who springs to life from his mother's thumb. Mature beyond...
(This entire section contains 1185 words.)
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his years, he quickly becomes a menace, indulging in food and palm-wine while sowing chaos. His destructive nature ultimately leads the narrator to eliminate him to protect the town.
The Half-Bodied Baby
Emerging from the ashes of Zurrjir's demise, the Half-Bodied Baby shares his insatiable appetite and menacing presence. This entity continues to consume voraciously, instilling terror in those around.
Drum, Song, and Dance
The trio of Drum, Song, and Dance captivate with their mesmerizing music. They are abstract spirits seamlessly intertwined with the narrative, especially when Dance is revealed to be the Red-lady, guiding the narrator and his wife to the Red-town.
The Red-lady
The Red-lady initially appears as a nondescript character defined by her redness, but she is later unveiled as a superlative dancer. Her identity merges with Dance, one of the spirits that enchant with their musical prowess.
The Red-king
The Red-king, ruler of Red-town, is intrinsically linked to the town's scarlet hue and its ominous practices. His actions involve breaking taboos, resulting in the town falling under the dominion of two red creatures, necessitating human sacrifices.
The Faithful Mother
The Faithful Mother is a gracious and benevolent figure, residing in a magnificent mansion abundant with luxurious objects. She offers respite to those in distress, including the narrator and his wife, whom she supports for a year before sending them off with necessary provisions.
The King of the Field People
The King of the Field People lives in a dilapidated palace, concealed beneath leaves, and is initially wary of the narrator and his wife. His suspicion stems from their unfamiliarity, having never encountered anyone like them before.
The King of Wraith Island
The King of Wraith Island stands out as a hospitable and kind ruler. He welcomes the narrator and his wife, providing them with a comfortable home and integrating them into his community with warmth and generosity.
The King of Unreturnable-Heaven’s Town
In contrast, the King of Unreturnable-Heaven’s Town embodies malevolence, representing a cruel and sadistic populace. He inflicts torment upon the narrator and his wife, candidly acknowledging his people as "enemies of God."
The Man with the Bag/The Prince Killer
The Man with the Bag, a shadowy figure suspected of killing a prince, cunningly frames the narrator as the culprit. His confession only emerges when he perceives favor towards the real perpetrator, leaving his true motives shrouded in mystery.
Invisible-Pawn/Give and Take
Invisible-Pawn, an industrious laborer, works tirelessly for the narrator. Despite demanding no initial reward, he takes excessive amounts of yams and corn when offered, sparking conflict. Nonetheless, he fiercely defends the narrator in ensuing confrontations.
The Wise King in the Wrong Town
The Wise King of the Wrong Town, initially condemning the narrator to death, delays the execution, during which the real murderer confesses. His wisdom is implied, suggesting a deliberate plan rather than mere coincidence.
The Huge Man
The Huge Man roams the wilderness, capturing slaves to toil on his farm. Despite his imposing presence, the slaves he captures are often grotesque creatures, reflecting the harsh conditions of his dominion.
The Hungry Creature
The Hungry Creature is eternally insatiable, perpetually begging for food and consuming without end. His hunger knows no bounds, remaining unappeased regardless of the feast presented.
Heaven and Land
Heaven and Land, personified entities, are embroiled in a perpetual struggle for dominance, characterized by their jealousy and disregard for human life. Their conflict underscores the novel's exploration of cosmic and earthly tensions.
