Grade 10 Literature Act 3 Ti Jean and His Brothers

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Ti-Jean and His Brothers: Act 3

Act Three Synopsis

·         Like his brothers before him, Ti-Jean leaves home to go and conquer the Devil. Unlike his brothers, he is able to outsmart the Devil by allowing him to experience a range of emotions.

·         Ti-jean begs the devil for the life of Bolom and his wish his granted. Bolom is born.

·         Ti-Jean incites rebellion against the planter and his plantation.

Ti-Jean: The Character

·         He is kind to the forest animals.

·         He refuses to play the game by the Devil’s rules (rebellion of slaves to the white man).

·         Unlike Gro-Jean he uses his strength/force intelligently.

·         Unlike Mi-Jean he put his mind to practical use.

·         He defeats the devil and tricks him into a rage.

·         He has humility and is willing to use his common sense to ask for help.

·         He asks the Bolom what the devil wants.

·         He doesn’t expect the devil to know his name.

·         He uses Gros-Jean’s strength and Mi-Jeans rhetoric along with his courage, humility, intuition, vision, and endurance.

·         He succeeds because he shows humility by grieving for his brothers.

·         He seeks knowledge: he discovers the devil’s tail, castrates and cooks the goat, burns the cane field, and makes the devil feel anger, rage and human weakness.

·         Devil’s tasks Ti-Jean to keep his goat tied up, to count his canes and to clean his house. Ti-Jean “fixes” the goat (later eats it), burns the cane field and burns the house.

·         The Devil gets vexed, but he says, “I never keep bargains”. But, Ti-Jean’s course is supported by the Bolom, who is the ghost of a hideous abortion. So, the Devil pays Ti-Jean money, but, in revenge, shows Ti-Jean, his mother dying

·         He is successful against the devil and is rewarded life, not only for himself but for the unborn Bolom.

Study how the questions are answered.

How does Ti-Jean’s treat the forest creatures?

·         Unlike his brothers, Ti-Jean is kind to the forest creatures and for his kindness the assist him.

Ti-Jean is a common man. Why did Dereck Wallcott make him so simple but yet still so important?

·         He is the smallest and youngest of the brothers. Small in stature, weak of arms and lacking book learning. His only notable asset is his natural skepticism of the world around him.

·         Ti-Jean shares qualities with that of Anansi from African and Caribbean folklore. A strong sense of inventiveness, cunning, common sense and street smarts.

What is Ti-Jean’s strategy for dealing with the Plater/Devil’s wiles? What cause this strategy to be successful?

·         Ti-Jean entered the duel with the Planter/Devil with a firm belief in the power of love that he received and passed on from his mother (his relationship with the Bolom). He also took on her belief in her religion. He has a natural sympathy for the forest creatures and is willing to listen to them. He is naturally skeptical about the behavior of those he encounters on his journey and he has an understanding that emancipation from a superior force will only result from using all the resources at his disposal.

·         Ti-Jean does not depend on himself. He called on his fellow field workers to join the resistance, and invoke the strength and intervention of his deceased family members.

Question

Due Date March 20, 2020

Instructions: Answer the following questions in book then post on this site:Use symbolic or hidden meaning as much as you can.

1. a. What is Ti- Jeans strategy for dealing with the Planter/ Devils's ?

b. What causes Ti Jean to be successful?

c. Explain in your own words, the advice from his mother.

c. As the reader , what have you observed about Ti Jean?

i.how he spoke to the creatures

ii. when he looked under the old mans skirt

iii.when he asks the old man to unveil his mask

2. Explain the tasks given by the devil to Ti Jean.

3. Describe in order what Ti Jean did to the goat.

4.What does the devil mean by"the youngster is having a terrible effect on me"

5. How did the devil react when he heard that it was his house burning? What did Ti Jean explain it as?

6. What is the significance  of Ti Jean telling the plantation workers to 'burn the cane'?

7.What is the significance  of Ti Jean singing after he won the devil but then the devil tried to be unfair?

8. We never meet his mom after he goes in the forest? Why do you think this is so?