ABOUT TREVOR RHONE

Born in 1940 and died in 2009.

He grew up in Bellas Gate, a village in rural St. Catherine, Jamaica.

He attended St. Jago High School between 1952-57.

He attended Rose Bruford College in Kent, England between 1960-63.

He, along with seven companions, started the Barn theatre.

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TREVOR RHONE'S PLAYS

It's Not My fault Baby, 1967.

The Gadget, 1968.

Cinderella (Musical), 1969.

Smile Orange, 1971.

Music Boy&nbsp, 1971.

Sleeper, 1972.

Comic Strip, 1973.

School's Out, 1974.

Old Story Time, 1979.

Everyman, 1980.

Two Can Play, 1982.

Family Planning (Musical), 1989.

The Game&nbsp, 1989.

The Power, 1992.

One Stop Driver, 1992.

Dear Counselor, 1997.

Bellas Gate Boy, 2002.

TREVOR RHONE'S FILMS

The Harder They Come, 1969.

Smile Orange, 1974.

Milk and Honey, 1988.

Top Rankin'

SUMMARY
This play is about a mother who wants the best for her child. As a result, she isolates him from the
children in the neighbourhood and forcibly encourages him to study. The result of her 'encouragement' is
that he obtains a scholarship to go to University in England, travels the world, obtains a PhD, and gets an
excellent job in the banking sector in Kingston,Jamaica. Alongside her encouragement, regarding
education, however, is her castigation of the Black race. She tells her son that Black is not good, therefore,
he must try to court Margaret, the reverend's daughter who, it is implied, is white. He attempted to
accommodate his mother and was brutally humiliated. This incident, however, led to him meeting his
future wife, the dark skinned Lois. Mama does not react well to their marriage and maintains the belief
that Lois has worked obeah on her son in order to obtain and keep him. We learn that Lois is, in fact,
dedicated to Len. So much so that she embezels the bank's money in order to support Len while he was
away at University. She paid for it at that time because her then boss, George McFarlane, blackmailed her.
Her former boss re-enters her life when Len investigates George's financial activities in order to ascertain
whether or not he has scammed Mama in a housing deal. George tries to use her former fraudulent
activities against her, but it backfires on him because Len uses the same bank slip, that George had kept as
evidence of Lois embezzlement of bank funds, to trap him. The story culminates with Mama working
obeah on Lois in order to get her out of Len's life. Discovering that she was wrong in her treatment, and
attitude, towards Lois over the years, she apologizes to Lois. Lois, Len and Pa Ben place her in a prayer
circle in order to ensure that the boomerang does not catch her. All is forgiven by the end of the play. This
story is narrated by Pa Ben, who is integral to keeping the peace, as well as keeping the lines of
communication open between family.
SETTING

The first half of the play is predominantly set in an unamed parish in rural Jamaica.

The last half of the play is predominantly set in Kingston, Jamaica.

The story line is set between the 1960's to 1980.

CHARACTERS
Pa Ben

He is the narrator and story teller.

He keeps the peace between Mama and Len.

He keeps the lines of communication open between Mama and Len, and Len and Lois.

He loves Len like a son, and treats him like one.

Mama is his best friend.

He loves to drink his white rum.

Mama (Miss Aggie/ Miss G.)

Len's mother.

She is a market lady.

She is very invested in her child's education.

She is very proud.

She believes that whites and near whites, are superior to Black people.

She is very witty.

Pearl

Len's childhood friend.

She is constantly pregnant

By the middle of the play she had 11 children and is pregnant with another.

She dies in childbirth near the end of the play.

Miss Margaret

She is the white daughter of the minister.

She attends Munroe College with Len and George.

Mama wants Len to marry her because she represents advancement.

She shows Len's love letter to her, from George, and enables the plan to humiliate Len.

She marries George, they have a child together, and that child attends Munroe College.

Miss Lois

Len's dark skinned wife.

Mama does not, initially, accept her based on her skin colour.

She, and her father, take care of Len after his humiliating experience with George and his friends.

She sends money to George while he attended University.

She is blackmailed by George, twice, because she embezzled money from the bank.

She loves her husband and yearns for his attention.

George McFarlane

Len's school mate at Munroe College.

He treated Len very badly and was the mastermind behind Len's ultimate humiliation.

He was very dunce at school, but was offered a place ate the bank.

He eventually becomes the bank manager, where he embezels money and is caught and fired.

The owner of the fraudulent ABC Homes, the company that scams Mama.

He was Margaret's boyfriend in high school, and eventually marries her.

Len

Mama's son.

He was extremely bright and did very well in school.

Attended Munroe College, earned a scholarship to University in England and travelled the world.

He eventually obtained an excellent job in the banking sector, despite job issues after high school.

Courted and married Lois, despite knowing that his mother would not approve.

Loves his mother and tries to be patient with her.

Loves his wife because he defies his mother by secretly dating her, then marrying her.

CHAPTER SUMMARIES
Act 1
This act is about Mama's aspirations for Len. She encourages her only son to study hard and leave the
company of girls like Pearl, but instead, to set his sights on Margaret, the pastor's near white daughter
(her race is implied in the play). We learn that, as he grows up, he goes against his mother's desires and
secretly dates a dark skinned girl (Lois), with Pa Ben as his co-conspirator. He soon leaves Jamaica to
attend University in England. He communicates very little with Mama, initially, until Pa Ben wrote him a
letter explaining how this absence of communication affects Mama, and could possibly affect him. Over
time they learn that Len has visited many countries around the world, obtained a PhD, and has married
Lois. Mama is pleased and proud about all his achievements, with the exception being his marriage to
Lois. He returns home, without Mama's knowledge, and pays her an unexpected visit. Mama is pleased
and proud, but takes him into her house to talk to him about her disappointment in his marriage to Lois.
He also finds out that Mama has been scammed by George McFarlane and invites him to his home, in
Kingston, for a meeting. They discuss a business deal, but George makes a speedy retreat when he
discovers Len's identity, and his possible knowledge of the scam. We also discover that Lois is frustrated
in her marriage because she wants attention from her husband, and that Mama treats Lois with open
disdain.
Act 2, Scene 1
This scene outlines the manner in which Len was terrorized and bullied in school. It also highlights the
fact that, despite his high scholastic achievement, Len cannot get a job at the bank.
In contrast, however, George McFarlane, aka Duncey Mongoose, was offered a job in the bank, where he
quickly advanced to the position of bank manager. Unfortunately, he took advantage of his position and
embezzled the bank's money. He was fired as a result, and invested a lot of time and effort in ABC
Housing, where he started scamming people like Mama. We then see Len explaining to Lois how he found
George, by baiting him with the rumour that he would be open to 'under the table' deals. He asks Lois if
she knows George, since they worked together at the same bank, but she denies it. The audience's
curiosity is piqued, however, by how familiar George behaves with Lois, especially when he calls Lois to
enquire about her mother in law's last name. When Lois hangs up on him, the scene ends with George
trying to locate Mama on his own.
Act 2, Scene 2
Len is amusing himself with George's documents and Mama shows up. She wants Len to help George but
Len refuses. They have a terrible fight in which Mama calls Len ungrateful and he reacts by raising a chair

to hit her. She blames his actions on his 'Black Sambo' wife whom she believes has 'obeahed' him. She
leaves with the statement that she must set him free, implying that she is going to set 'obeah' on Lois, to
get her out of Len's life.
Act 2, Scene 3
Len pays a visit to Pa Ben, hoping to get the address of an obeah woman in order to protect Lois from the
obeah that he is sure that Mama intends to work on her. Pa Ben tries to disuade him, but Len does not
relent. Pa Ben finally gives him a name of an obeah woman in Kingston. Len then asks Pa Ben to visit her
for him because he has a reputation to maintain. Mama arrives, Len leaves, and Pa tries to get information
from Mama regarding her threat to Lois. He is unsuccessful in his attempts to glean information from
Mama and decides to play sick in the morning in order to stall her.
Act 2, Scene 4
This is a hilarious scene where Len attempts to follow the directions of the fraudulent obeah woman that
Pa Ben recommended.
Act 2, Scene 5
Mama pays George a visit and tries to console him. She tells him that Lois controls Len and is preventing
him from lending George the money. She tells him that she will take care of Lois.
Act 2, Scene 6
George arrives at Lois' house and blackmails her. Len comes home and she reveals the story of how she
embezzled the banks money and got caught and blackmailed by George. Len supports his wife and, in
turn, blackmails George into silence regarding Lois' embezelment. Len then shares the traumatic story of
Margaret's love letter with his family, Mama reacts by attacking George, who makes a speedy retreat. Pa
Ben, Len and Lois then pray for Mama's deliverance from the boomerang.
THEMES - click here for ADDITIONAL NOTES
Racial and class discrimination
Religion and Obeah
Education vs. progress
Dreams and Aspirations
Love
Love and family relationship
Power and authority
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Batter batter - To knock about aimlessly.
Breed - To get pregnant.
'Burn a candle on his head' - To work obeah on him.
Drudge - To constantly wear something.
Duppy - A ghost.
Hold Dog - Literally means to 'hold the dog'
Kirrout - To literally 'clear out', or get away.
Lawd - An exclamation meaning 'Lord'.
Malice - To deliberately not speak to someone for an extended period of time.
Primps - To show off.
Tot - A little of something.

The Wine of Astonishment - LITERATURE NOTES

ABOUT EARL LOVELACE

Born in Toco, Trinidad

Born in 1935

Spent most of his early years with his maternal grandparents in Tobago

He was an avid reader

He currently lives in Trinidad and Tobago

His passions in life are cricket and football

EARL LOVELACES NOVELS

While Gods are Falling, 1964

The Schoolmaster, 1968

The Dragon Cant Dance, 1978

The Wine of Astonishment, 1982

Jestinas Calypso and Other Stories, 1984

Growing in the Dark, 2003

Is Just a Movie, due for publication in August 2010 on

SUMMARY

The book is about Eva and Bee Dorcas, members of the Spiritual Baptist Church. It is about their
experiences of being persecuted for their religious affiliation and the faith that they have in Ivan Morton
to change their situation. The character Bolo is also at the forefront of this story because he embodies the
result of not being able to be a man in a society that does not view being Black as valuable.
SETTING
Time / Place:

The story is set over a 20 year time period, 1932 1951

Set in a small, remote village in Trinidad called Bonasse

Political structure:

Trinidad was still a colony under the British Empire

Trinidad was ruled under the Crown Colony system Head of State in England governed the
island via the Governor, who was his or her representative

Political power, therefore, lay in the governor, assisted by a Council

Universal adult suffrage (right of all adults to vote) did not occur to Trinidad until 1946.

Power still lay in the hands of those who owned plantations and these people, in turn, controlled
the instruments of power; the legislature, the courts and the police.

Economy:

The economy was still predominantly agricultural; sugar, cocoa, coffee, coconuts and citrus.

The petroleum industry was just beginning to make an impact.

Subsistence farming (production of foodstuff for domestic use) was the norm

World War II led to the establishment of American bases, which introduced opportunity to earn
money

WW II also introduced a consumer attitude to life in Bonasse

Social structure:

Trinidad boasted a very diverse Creole society populated by a variety of ethnic groups (Indian,
Black, Chinese, White), each with its own cultural and religious practices.

Trinidad was still a series of small villages connected by a network of tiny roads, hence, travel
between villages was infrequent

Religion:

The protagonists in the novel are Spiritual Baptists/ Shouter Baptists

This religion arose out of a fusion of Protestant Christianity and African Orisha elements

The religion was outlawed in 1917 on the grounds that they disturbed the peace with their bell
ringing, loud singing and highly expressive behavior during worship.

See video clip of Spiritual Baptist in Grenada at the bottom of this page.

MAJOR CHARACTERS
Eva Dorcas:

The wife of Bee Dorcas and mother to 5 children

She is the emotional support for her husband

She is a strong Christian

The story is told through her eyes (1st person narrator)

She is patient and long suffering

Bee Dorcas:

Evas husband and father of her 5 children

Pastor of the Shouter Baptist church in the text

He is a strong Christian

He is considered to be the pillar of the community

He is very wise, patient and long suffering

He is very persistent, as seen in his lobbying for Ivan Morton

Shoulders his responsibilities well and does not view them as a burden

Bolo:

Local stick fighting champion

Initially beloved and admired by the community, seen as a hero/warrior figure

Was imprisoned for 3 years for defending his mother, and the church, during a police raid of the
Shouter Baptist church

Later becomes the terror of the community because of how he bullied every-one after his return
from prison

A brave, yet simple character that was crushed by the realities of life as a black man in Trinidad

Ivan Morton:

Local boy who was considered to be the pride of the community because he was bright

Failed his college Exhibition examination twice

He eventually became a teacher within the community

He married a light skinned girl from Tunapuna, and abandoned Eulalie and their illegitimate
baby

The community chose him to represent them on the Council and he became a true politician; talk
without action

MINOR CHARACTERS
Clyde:

Ivan Mortons driver

A lot of second hand information about Ivan is gleaned from this character, via Joyce

Eventually marries Joyce

Mr. Buntin:

Black owner of the local shop

He believed in Black empowerment

He was not a good businessman; a lot of people owed him and his shop was virtually empty by the
end of the book

He enjoyed the company of his patrons

Mitchel:

Carpenter on the American Base

Money-lender and contact man

Owner of the local shop that eventually competes with Buntins shop

An example of some-one who has profited from the American presence in Trinidad

Bolo destroys his establishment

He campaigns for Ivan Morton during his bid for re-election to the council

Clem:

The polar opposite of Bolo

Calm and able to go with the flow

A musician who eventual leaves Bonasse to become the successful Lord Trafalgar

He got along with everyone

Eulalie:

The most attractive girl in Bonasse

Widely believed that she would eventually marry Bolo

She dated Ivan Morton instead

She became pregnant by Ivan and was abandoned by him

She eventually went to live in the United States

Corporal Prince:

He was tall and stocky

Enforced the law at all costs

Arrested and brutally beat Bolo, 1st time

Raided the Shouter Baptist church

He was unsympathetic to the Shouter Baptists

Primus:

Quiet and gentle resident of Bonasse

He tried to be friendly with every-one

Bolo kidnapped his two daughters

Winston:

Oldest of the Dorcas children

19 years old at the beginning of the story

Leaves Bonasse to become a police

Taffy:

16 years old at the beginning of the story

The most troubled of the Dorcas children

He got in trouble with the law and had to flee to Port of Spain

Also the most charming of the children

Joyce:

15 years old at the beginning of the story

Reader gets all the second hand news about Ivan Morton from her, via Clyde

Dated, then eventually got married to Clyde

At the end of the book, she is pregnant with her first child

Reggie:

8 years at the beginning of the text

A very intelligent young man

Preparing to take the college Exhibition exam in the middle of the text

Gets caught up with talk of black empowerment at Buntins shop

gains a place in high school on his own initiative, at the beginning of the text

Gem:

4 years old

Youngest child

Playful and very bright

CHAPTER SUMMARIES
Chapter 1:
The readers are introduced to the narrator, Eva, and her husband Bee, along with three of their children:
Joyce, Gem and Reggie. Reggie has failed his examination and the couple debates whether or not to ask
Ivan Morton for help. It becomes apparent that the hope of the community rests on this young politicians
shoulders. He disappoints the community, however, when he does not support the Shouter Baptists. The
reader is introduced to the budding relationship between Joyce and Clyde, as well as Bolos
disappointment in the churchs apathy. The chapter ends with Reggie being placed in a high school after
previously applying without his parents knowledge.
Chapter 2:
This chapter charts the changes in Bonasse and how it affects Bolo and Clem. Clem accepted and went
with the flow, while Bolo just could not accept change and became disruptive. The banning of carnival,
hence stick fighting, became a reality, and the change that Americans had on the cultural identity of the
people was emphasized throughout this chapter.
Chapter 3:
The church plays a vital role in this chapter. The pride that is felt about its existence and perseverance is
expressed by Eva. However, a law is passed that makes the church illegal, thereby forcing the members to
plot to keep the church alive. The formulated a plan to be quiet in the way they worship and to try to put
a man in the Council. Other things that occur in the chapter are: the tragic tale of Eulalie/Ivan/Bolo, Bolo
losing his temper and its tragic results, and the coming of Prince. In the end, Bee decides to break the law
because the church is slowly dying.
Chapter 4:
In this chapter, the reader learns about Bees children, as well as their response to his talk of breaking the
law. Winston wants to become a police and Taffy wants to leave Trinidad. Bolo sits in church as a
question mark and eventually leaves, while Bee finally breaks the law.
Chapter 5:
Bee breaks the law continuously until the church is raided. Everyone is dragged to jail, but Bolo intercedes
on behalf of his mother. He is beaten and subsequently imprisoned for three years with hard labour. Bee
was left with no choice but to sell his cow to avoid going to jail. Buntins shop becomes black
empowerment central, attracting all the youngsters, including Reggie, to join the discussions. Taffy stabs
a boy and runs off to stay with his uncle in Port of Spain, while the Winston leaves Bonasse in order to

become a police.
Chapter 6:
This chapter is all about the campaign trail and how diligently Bee worked to get Ivan elected. An air of
freedom and joy pervades this chapter. It ends, however, with Evas observation of the changes that Ivan
makes in his life, in accordance with his new position, as well as her views on the implications behind
Ivan Mortons procurement of the house on the hill.
Chapter 7:
This is a very dramatic chapter that highlights Bolos release from jail and the extent to which things had
changed during his incarceration. He tried to get land and did not succeed, he tried to stick fight and faced
cowards. The chapter ends with the destruction that he wrought on the drums in order to express his
anger and frustration.
Chapter 8:
This chronicles Bolos descent into a mode of destructive behavior: (a) obtaining a job and (b) extorting
products from the market vendors, rum shop and gambling shop. Bolos fame extends outside Bonasse in
this chapter, thereby highlighting the severity of his anger.
Chapter 9:
Joyce, the Dorcas only daughter, gets married, while Bolo kidnaps Primus two daughters. Bee tries to get
men to challenge' Bolo, since that is what he wants, but he barely succeeds at this. The police intercede
and Bolo, as well as Primus youngest daughter, gets killed.
Chapter 10:
Election time and Ivan is on the trail. The reader is not made aware of whether or not he is re-elected, but
what is known is that the Shouter Baptists were legalized. The irony at the end of the book, however, is
that on the cusp of their great victory, the spirit left the church. Despite this tragedy, Eva hears it in the
music that the boys play on the steel pan.
THEMES
Racism
Women in society
Religion
Education vs. religion
Change
Power and authority
Violence