A. What do you think of the statement of "BANJO A Story Without a Plot?" Does McKays statement relate at all to the situation of Ex patriots? I found it a parallel to what was happening in Europe, where we have all these men and women living their lives and they all form one story but their is no plot.
B. What do you think of Banjo's presentation? In the beginning of the story we have him traversing the landscape as out of luck man, but we are told that at a point he had money and would give to those who asked it of him (hence the return by the train hoppers of buying him a meal.). Is their a significance of showing a character who is not living the high life in France?
C. I found myself thinking of Banjo as a metaphor for the Ex Patriots themselves. His life style was not the best having to live off panhandling and such but he enjoyed the freedom to play and live life care free. Similarly some Ex Patriots came to Europe to learn a new life style usually leaving comfort or some form of indenture to either society or others. Now in Europe they are able to explore a freer life, without the full pressure of constant racism and difficulty of living in the states. Is Banjo's situation an example of this, where he lived with wealth and one time he now simply lives?
Eddie.
I agree with the metaphor but I think there is a particular element missing from Banjo's story: there doesn't seem a strong desire to bite from the forbidden apple, meaning the constant hooking up with white women. It seems the characters in Banjo are not trying to prove anything to the white man but to themselves. I am intrigued with reading about their connection with each other. African Americans at this time did not have the comforts of intermingling with black people from all over the world.
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