Themes from Chapters 1-6

In the first six chapters of Beka Lamb numerous themes were displayed. Change appeared to be the most dominant and in one way or the other links to the others. Change can be socially, politically or in Beka, all which occurred simultaneously.

Politically, Belize was undergoing much chages.The People’s Independence Party was responsible for much new changes including the improvement in the education sector of Belizeans. Unrest continued to be present, representing the increase in demands for autonomy. At the beginning of chapter five, universal adult suffrage was introduced in the colony. Social changes were shown in Great-grandmother Straker’s story. The working class then could not even protest their unfair treatment due to the government, unlike now where trade unions have been formed to protect workers’ rights.

Change in Beka Lamb was spoken of from the very first paragraph.”Beka changed from what her mother called a ‘flat-rate Belize Creole’ into a person with ‘high mind’ ”, because she won an essay contest at a prestigious school. Beka underwent changes before that which was seen in chapter five, which was in flashback. After Beka’s father compared her to the bougainvillea’s vine which was breaking down Miss Boysie’s fence, he cut it down. That symbolized Beka’s change. Her attempts to prove herself by meticulously cleaning were however futile, for it went unnoticed. She then realized that more atonement was required, but in another way, by education and maturity.

Foreign Preference was also a major theme. This was first seen by Lilla.She strived in growing English roses whish were unsuited to the climate and soil and she neglected the local flowers.This symbolized her preference for foreign culture.Also, a brain drain was present in Belize for Dr.Lyban, a Belizean doctor went back to England. Additionally the polar bear which came for a circus that died also represented the hopelessness, and the harsh conditions in the colony.Wheras, in the metropolitan country, there was hope, better resources and opportunity.

Racial Prejudice and the hierarchy of social classes were prominent. ‘Each race held varying degrees of prejudice concerning the other.’ This was proven by the different clubs for each racial group and also before the essay contest Beka was cautioned continuously that ‘the prizes would go to bakras, panias, or expatriates.’Beka and Toycies’ Sunday evening walks were mostly at the wealthier ‘higher’ classed part of the town.

Poverty and death are two themes which were mostly depicted by the natural environment and the technique of foreshadowing. The inability for Miss Eila to hold a wake for Toycie, the ‘rusty zinc rooftops of the town’ and the ‘weathered wooden houses’ gave the effect of poverty. Zee Edgell conveyed death by the death of the mosquito, the reference of her great-granny’s funeral and the mention of Toycie’s death,in chapter one. The symbol of death also reappeared in the rosebush and the polar bear.

The struggle for success and the fear for failure were especially highlighted in Beka’s dream where she was on a separating bridge which meant that she faced some success (essay contest) but must continue in other to ‘reach the other side’ without falling into the ‘filth’ and the ‘excrement of Hallover Creek’. People encouraged her to jump and to therefore take a risk for success but her fear for failure was strong. Also victory in the contest in chapter one had diminished grief of Toycies’ death as she was then capable of holding a vigil for her.

Lastly, in chapter six growing patriotism was introduced. This was seen when Beka and Toycie changed the label on the guitar from Spain to Belize due to political troubles faced from there, hence connections with Spain was avoided. Toycie expressed her faith in their country’s potential. Situational irony was presented for the Creole Toycie was the girlfriend of the pania with a Spanish name, Emilio Villanueva.