Death in Mumbo Jumbo
Death is a common theme in Ishmael Reed’s Mumbo Jumbo. Reed kills off a number of his characters, including characters central to the book like Abdul, Berbelang, Charlotte, and Thor Wintergreen. These characters are involved in either Jes Grew or the Mu’tafikah and most die at the hands of men who despise those movements. Consequently, Reed’s use of death throughout the book provides a commentary on the nature of Jes Grew and the people who try to extinguish it.
One of the ways that Reed uses death in his book is to suggest that Jes Grew is dangerous, but not in the way that Hinckle Von Vampton and the Wallflower Order believe it to be. In the eyes of the Wallflower Order, Jes Grew is a harmful virus that is spreading across America and infecting young people. Reed contrasts this idea by showing that the only real danger is the harm being done at the hands of Hinckle, Gould, the Wallflower Order, and Biff Musclewhite. These men are afraid of Jes Grew and the Mu’tafikah and they use violence in an attempt to combat the movements. Reed employs the deaths of Abdul, Berbelang, and Charlotte to highlight the danger of eradicating Jes Grew and draw attention to the epidemic of violence.
Additionally, the numerous deaths in Mumbo Jumbo demonstrate that Jes Grew is a movement that cannot be extinguished through violence towards individuals. Reed kills off multiple characters connected to Jes Grew and the Mu’tafikah while simultaneously depicting the spread of Jes Grew. For example, early on in the book a mayor “catches” Jes Grew and “volunteers to accept the short bronze dagger and ‘get it over with’” (Reed 18). Even after the mayor dies, Jes Grew continues spreading towards Chicago and in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi (Reed 21). This dynamic repeats itself in other deaths, suggesting that Jes Grew is a larger force that is not tied to any one person.
Another interesting aspect of death in Mumbo Jumbo is Reed’s matter-of-fact, almost casual treatment of it. For instance, when describing Abdul’s murder, Reed simply writes: “Abdul swings Gould around but cries out in pain as the dagger pierces his back. After he falls to the floor mortally wounded, Hinckle Von Vampton removes the dagger from his back” (Reed 95). Reed’s straightforward description of the murder and lack of emotion doesn’t undermine Abdul’s death. Instead, it suggests that Hinckle and Gould feel little remorse about killing him. Put into a broader context, the blunt description indicates that Hinckle and his employer do not see much wrong with trying to extinguish Jes Grew and other non-white cultures.
Nice post, Bonnie! I initially didn't think much of the numerous deaths throughout the novel, but your deep analysis of this theme has demonstrated how its suggestions can reveal Reed's writing intentions. I feel like there's also something to be said particularly about Berbelang's death, in the sense that despite the warnings of his other teammates, he chooses to trust Thor Wintergreen and ends up paying for it with his life; it could be revealing of the broader criticisms Reed promotes throughout the book.
ReplyDeleteGreat analysis! Like Felix said, I originally didn't view these deaths as anything but plot point. You made some great points about Reed's underlying intentions; I especially agree that these deaths are used to show the real danger lies in the resistance of Jes Grew. Your final point about Reed's tone while describing Abdul's death is a "galaxy brain" moment, as Dr. Ray would say. Amazing post as always!
ReplyDeleteHi Bonnie,
ReplyDeleteInteresting commentary! It is notable how in "protecting" Civilization from Jes Grew, the Wallflower Order ends up killing key characters--a nod to Jes Grew's status as an anti-plague. While Coalhouse's death halts the revolutionary movement in Ragtime, Mumbo Jumbo's Jes Grew can't be linked to a single person and thus can't be extinguished by killing individuals. Perhaps Reed's treatment of death in Mumbo Jumbo reveals its insignificance towards the "greater cause" of the movement.
I really like the connections that you made between the different character's deaths and I agree that the only real dangers of Jes Grew were the people trying to stop it. I also found your point about Jes Grew is not just tied to one person. I think that's good to bring up as Jes Grew seems like something that comes and goes occasionally and it's not stationary.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this post! The relationship between death and Jes Grew is definitely prominent. Specifically, how the only genuine threat surrounding Jes Grew were the people who created the negative narrative around it. The people, like Hinckle, who made Jes Grew a threat, are the ones causing the resulting destruction.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Bonnie! I agree with all of your points, especially the one you make about Reed's tone of narration when describing the death of Abdul. I like the connection you make from his narrating tone to that of the lack of remorse felt by Hinckle and his employer. I also agree with the idea of death in the book, and that the people attempting to stop Jes Grew were the ones causing damage.
ReplyDeleteYou said that there is inherent danger in being associated with Jes Grew, and it is also a movement that cannot be quenched by the killing of individuals. This seems to me a parallel to police brutality, protests, and black empowerment movements throughout history. Victims of police brutality, such as George Floyd serve as martyrs that fuel protests. And there is inherent danger in attending these movements, especially for black people, because police are often present and looking to subdue the protesters.
ReplyDeleteThis was a really good post! Your analysis of death as showing the dangers of jes grew through the violence of the white characters was really insightful. The idea that jes grew lives through all of this violence was also a great point, and is very prominent throughout the novel. Amazing post!
ReplyDeleteYour paragraph about the almost emotionless nature of the killings in the novel made me think about the recent killings of unarmed black people by police. It's not that there's no emotion displayed by people after these killings, but the status quo never seems change after the initial uproar. Like in Mumbo Jumbo, these events are over quickly and the perpetrators, more often than not, move on with their lives as if nothing happened.
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