Themes highlighted in the first six chapters of Beka Lamb

From the first six chapters of 'Beka Lamb' there were many themes introduced. Some of these themes are death, education, racial discrimination, maturity, overcoming challenges/obstacles, changes, success and failure, as well as politics and poverty. In some way, these themes were all linked to the major theme of Change. Zee Edgell uses many different techniques to portray these themes. From the very first paragraph of the novel, it shows the theme of Change in Beka. This shows that Beka has changed from a 'flat-rate Belize creole' to a person with 'high min' by winnning an essay contest, as she had never won a contest before. This also shows that success in education gives you a higher status in society.
The theme of racial discrimination was present as Beka was constantly being cautioned that the prizes for these contests would have normally gone to the 'bakras' (local whites), 'panias' (Spanish speaking people) or 'expatriates' (foreigners), which are seen as more of the higher classes of society. The theme of racial discrimination continues in the third chapter, where it states that there was a club for the creoles, the bakras, the panias and the expatriates. This shows that the people in Belize were separated according to their race.
The theme of death was evident in the first chapter when the death of Beka's friend, Toycie, was mentioned. Zee Edgell uses many phrases to symbolize death in the first chapter. Some of these include "slapping at a mosquito", "insistent grumblings of frogs", "nervous shrilling of every cricket" and "a mosquito whining". These phrases set the atmosphere of discontent and distress. In the third chapter, the 'Brain Drain' with Dr. Lyban, a Belizean doctor who went back to England, and the incident of the polar bear reinforce the theme of death. The polar bear which came to Belize with a circus died on the second day of its arrival because the ice factory was broken down. The author uses the 'Brain Drain' and the polar bear to portray that there is only death, depression, hopelessness and harsh living conditions in Belize.
Throughout these chapters, the theme of maturity is associated with the theme of change. We see the beginning of this change when Bill Lamb cut down the Bougainvillea plant, which he compared Beka to the plant with "all flash and no substance". Beka recognizes a 'change' when she decided to stop her lying habits. she did a lot of housework to prove to her parents that she is becoming a young adult, but these doings were not noticed. She then realizes that the only way to reveal her transformation to them was by doing well in school. Her interest in politics of her country and her attempt to understand it was also a way of portraying Beka's maturity. Beka was trying to prove to her father that he was contradicting about what he said about the political situation between Belize and Guatemala. this showed that she was in the process of maturing, by learning. Beka's interest in politics was also shown when she was in the dining room 'flipping' through the pages of the newspaper.
Zee Edgell uses the 'dream', in chapter two, as a technique to symbolize the transformation, as well as success and failure, that are going on in her life. in the dream, Beka cries out for help but no one helps her. this shows that she is voiceless. in the dream, Beka is on a bridge, which functions as an obstacle for her to overcome and a symbol of change and transformation. Beka has not crossed the bridge which shows that Beka is not quite where she wants to be as yet. However, under the bridge represents failure and something dangerous in her life. "Jump, nigger gial, jump!" are calls from people who are urging her to take a risk and jump off the bridge. Beka's fear is that when she make this jump (makes the change), she will end up failing.
The theme of Poverty is seen throughout the chapters. We see the enthusiasm of Beka and Toycie as they go for walks to 'lift their spirits' at Fort George "where the wealthier elements of the community lived". However, there is disppointment as the girls go back to their homes, back to the "staler, dirtier, noisier and altogether much less pleasant" place. Zee Edgell uses many phrases to reveal an atmosphere of poverty and stagnation. Some of these phrases are "rusty zinc rooftops of the town", "weathered wooden houses tilted slightly", "on top of pinewood posts of varying heights" and "lamp-posts that also seemed at times to lean".
These themes are recurrent throughout this novel and are revealed as issues that occur in the everyday lives of adolescents.