# II: The Breakwater explained — Banjo

> Chapter companion for Banjo by Claude McKay.

## What happens

Banjo, recovering from his injury, becomes a permanent lodger at Latnah's and spends his days with Malty's gang. The chapter depicts the vibrant yet harsh life of the beach boys in Marseille's old port, including wine-drinking escapades, forming an orchestra dream, and a night of music and dancing in local cafés. Latnah's envy over a dancer's collection sparks a quarrel with Banjo, highlighting tensions between them.

## Themes in this chapter

### Community and Comradeship

The beach boys form a tight-knit group, sharing wine, music, and camaraderie despite their precarious circumstances.

### Art and Music

Music and dance serve as both entertainment and a means of expression, with Banjo's banjo and the seaman's mouth organ bringing people together.

### Alienation and Modernity

The men on the beach are alienated from mainstream society, living on the margins in a modern port city that both attracts and marginalizes them.

## Character check-ins

### Banjo

Recovering from his wound, dreams of forming an orchestra, and engages in playful yet tense interactions with Latnah.

### Latnah

Cares for Banjo, works during the day, and shows acquisitiveness when seeing the dancer's collection.

### Malty Avis

Leads the gang, helps welcome the new seaman, and shares in the wine-drinking and café adventures.

### Ginger

Comments on police brutality and joins the group's activities.

### Bugsy

Engages in banter with Banjo and participates in the night's exploits.

## Key lines

> I could sure make one a them dumps look like a real spohting-place, with a few of us niggers pifforming in theah. Lawdy! but the chances there is in a wide-open cat town like this!

Banjo boasts that he could transform a run-down venue into an attractive spot with a few black performers, emphasizing the opportunities in this open city.

_Banjo's entrepreneurial spirit and confidence in his musical abilities._

> All that money man take and gone is you’ money. You play and he take money. You too proud to ask money and you no have nothing. You feel rich, maybe.

Latnah criticizes Banjo for not collecting money after his performance, allowing the dancer to profit instead.

_Latnah's practical concerns about money clash with Banjo's carefree attitude._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/banjo_se/chapters/ii-the-breakwater
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/banjo_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/banjo_se/chapters