Banjo · Chapter
III: Malty Turned Down explained
The chapter opens with Banjo and Malty discussing Latnah's role in the gang, with Malty expressing jealousy over Banjo's easy acceptance of her.
What happens
The chapter opens with Banjo and Malty discussing Latnah's role in the gang, with Malty expressing jealousy over Banjo's easy acceptance of her. They spend the day at the docks, drinking sweet wine with Dengel, Ginger, and Bugsy, then swim and sunbathe. Malty's desire for Latnah is stirred when he sees her swim, and he later makes unwanted advances, leading to a confrontation with Banjo. The chapter also recounts how Latnah first joined the gang, her altercation with a woman on a ship, and Malty's initial protection of her.
Themes in this chapter
Gender and Sexuality
The chapter explores gender dynamics within the gang, with Latnah navigating her role as a woman among men. Malty's possessive desire for Latnah and his violent reaction to her rejection highlight tensions around sexuality and power.
Community and Comradeship
The beach boys form a community based on shared survival and camaraderie, accepting Latnah as a pal. They share food, wine, and leisure, but tensions arise over personal relationships.
Alienation and Modernity
The characters are marginalized and alienated from mainstream society, living on the fringes of Marseille. Their interactions with police and the economic necessity of hustling reflect their displacement.
Characters to notice
- Banjo
Banjo is in a relationship with Latnah, but he takes it casually, saying 'Easy come, easy go.' He confronts Malty over his advances toward Latnah, leading to a fight.
- Latnah
Latnah is a member of the gang, accepted as a pal. She rejects Malty's advances, calling him 'Cochon,' and is upset when he pushes her.
- Malty Avis
Malty is jealous of Banjo's relationship with Latnah and makes unwanted advances toward her. He is a strong swimmer and diver, with a past in the West Indies.
- Dengel
Dengel is a Senegalese man, always in a state of 'heavenly inebriety.' He leads Banjo and Malty to a barrel of sweet wine and warns the swimmers of approaching police.
- Ginger
Ginger is part of the gang, present at the wine barrel and later swimming. He engages in banter with Banjo.
- Bugsy
Bugsy is part of the gang, present at the wine barrel and later swimming. He provides soap for washing clothes.
Key passages
“It was just her woman’s instinct to be under the protection of man.”
Latnah sought male protection as a natural female instinct.
This reflects the gender norms of the time, where women relied on men for safety.
“Love was cheap in the Ditch. It cost only the price of a bottle of red wine among the 'leetah' girls.”
In the Ditch, love was inexpensive, costing only a bottle of red wine for the local girls.
This highlights the economic and social devaluation of women's sexuality in the area.
“He was much blacker than Malty, a shining anthracite.”
Dengel's skin was much darker than Malty's, with a shiny, coal-like appearance.
This description emphasizes racial differences among the characters.
“I’m just a right-there, right-here baby, yestiday and today and tomorraw and forevah.”
Banjo lives in the present moment, not dwelling on the past or future.
This reflects Banjo's carefree and transient lifestyle.
“She kicked him in the mouth, and it was like the shock of a kiss wrestled for and stolen, flooding his being with a rush of sweetly-warm sensation.”
When Latnah kicked Malty in the mouth, he felt a thrilling sensation akin to a stolen kiss.
This illustrates Malty's infatuation and the sexual tension in the scene.
