Tuesday, March 29, 2011
A thought about man love
In our last class session we started to discuss man love in Banjo. Unfortunately class ended and we didn't really finish that discussion. I wanted to only mention that in Stephen's article she states "new ways of representing masculine intimacy uncorrupted by male conflicts over women." This is perhaps the reason Latnah's affair with Banjo had to end. It seems that in order for Ray and Banjo to fully develop their relationship there is no room for women, because women are a source of argument and confusion for women and require attention (the kind Banjo is willing to give to Ray). Just a quick thought...
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To piggy-back off of what you said about there no being room for women...
ReplyDeleteI can’t help but think of the Michelle Stephens’s reading we were assigned every time I attempt to understand Latnah’s role throughout Banjo. Stephens writes, “If within the confines of McKay’s own sense of the national romance women were the obstacles to different forms of identification and community between men, Banjo essentially asks, what kinds of communities can and do black men create after their desire for home with the woman of color is gone” (168). I was particularly interested in this idea of woman as an “obstacle” between men. In other words, the idea that a man cannot achieve the full potential of his relationship with another male if a woman is involved. In my eyes it doesn’t matter if this woman is a mother figure or a significant other. Either way, it appears that the likes of Banjo often view these women as extra baggage (in his case, figuratively and literally). In other words, if they are close with a woman, the relationship will slow them down once they develop intentions to form a (to use Stephen’s term) “community” with other men.
Additionally, it seems to me that “women as the site for home” (an observation Stephens makes further into the passage I am referencing) is certainly a major contributing factor to Banjo’s resistance to taking Latnah along at the end of the book. In other words, being in a heterosexual relationship has domestic implications and is therefore not desirable. For a vagabond like Banjo, domesticity (or a domestic relationship) is not an option. There’s a reason Banjo points out he “ain’t gwina bury mah head under no woman’s skirt and let her cackle ovah me” (McKay 27). Banjo needs to live life on his own terms and being with a woman often requires a compromise in many aspects of every day living. In other words, restraints – and we all know Banjo’s not having that. He’s not the type to settle down in one town, own a home, have kids, work a 9-5, etc. (these are the kinds of implications I mean). Banjo makes his feelings about not being able to things strictly his own way clear: “No woman nevah ride me yet and you ain’t gwine to ride me neither,” (26) he says. Banjo is not able to set off on his adventures without constraints (something a male-male companionship does happen to leave room for) with a woman in tow or a woman at home. Call it “man love,” call it a “bromance,” call it what you will, but whatever it is, form the look of it Latnah does not fit into the equation – can’t fit into the equation. Her presence (near or far) would obstruct the bigger (and according to Banjo, much more important) picture – one of a life of a vagabond existence capable of being shared only with other men.
PS: I guess Banjo sees Latnah's as anchor-like. How can he sail away (literally) if she's holding him back (figuratively)?
ReplyDeleteWith that all of that said, I would just like to proclaim that chicks rule! Banjo is such a hater. ;D
I really liked your thought's but then it brought a question to mind of how does McKay then value the roll in his own life, society. Does this book then place the woman in a secondary roll. I know that in this point in time sadly women were not treated as equals, as forward thinking authors and writes should they not have also considered not only Black equality but also women equality? Or is then the Roll of Letnah an equal as she supports Banjo works and is a women who stands on her own?
ReplyDeleteHmm.. It does get complicated if you look at things through that lens. You make a great point about about the likes of McKay being forward thinking authors who do not use that forward thinking-ness to empower women, however, I'm guessing (like with most issues of equality) the time for women just had not fully come yet. After all, there have been many waves of Women's Rights movements and I think it's because we're still striving, as we have been for along time, to be treated just as fairly as out male counterparts.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I get the feeling that McKay's political focus at the time was on mainly African-American issues. Rightfully so, of course, it just sucks that strong women such as Latnah get pushed into the background for it to happen. Then again, as you pointed out, she does stand on her own, so maybe in that sense we could look at her place in the story as one of an equal. And hey, isn't she the one that nurses Banjo's wounds, gives him a place to stay, and advises him wisely in money matters? Sheesh (yes, I said "sheesh"). He could've given the girl (or any girl, for that matter) a little more cred!
I agree that a women would only complicate things. There are some homosexual people who marry someone of the opposite sex just to fit in to society. However, it is not fair for a gay person to put themselves in a relationship that they will not be 100% committed to. It's better for Banjo to just stay with Ray and not worry about society.
ReplyDeleteLatnah was the female constant in the novel - the biblical anchor of all men - the mother figure. She did not complicate the male bonding of or cause hostility between Banjo and his crew because a good mother does not ever want to see her sons fight. Latnah did what she had to do to feed and comfort her boys of the dock. Her life of prostitution was very downplayed because she was too good (a nurturer) to be bad. She took Banjo to task only when she thought he was betraying his race - that was one thing the mother/woman of color would never condone. Like a mother strong in character and convictions, and only with the best intentions, Latnah would not tolerate self-denial in her child. A good mother wishes to instill self-pride in her sons, and she wouldn't allow Banjo to lose it without a fight from her. It was inevitable that Banjo would leave Latnah, for as society dictates, all sons are destined to leave their mothers in order to become men.
ReplyDelete