![]() ![]() ![]() Even though the old man never spent any time on the ships that brought his ancestors to Martinique, their experiences – combined with the genocidal miseries of the island’s original human inhabitants – motivate him, pushing him toward an inner freedom despite the harsh externalities. Maybe the most interesting part of the story is how the past – genocide and slavery – imbues all things. “The old man slave does not remember the ship, but in a way he is still down in its hold.” Known for his enthusiastic “freeform” use of language, Chamoiseau energetically melds moments of violent realism with copious dreamlike imagery, creating a story that’s as magical as it is horrific. It’s a tragically simple story, but in the author’s hands it’s an entirely unique experience. But the old man – no longer slave – has weapons of his own, drawing on his inner strength and the power of his ancestors. ![]() ![]() Quick to respond, the Master clearly lives for these moments, reveling in the opportunity to deploy his new canine weapon of death. Despite his best efforts to suppress the urge for many decades, the slave eventually relents, fleeing deep into the dark jungle and throwing all caution to the wind. ![]()
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