Statics/Maljo/Didier

Character Analysis

A "fisherman-mechanic" by trade, Maljo grows weary of the political promises of the two major parties on the island. His idea to start a grassroots third-party campaign may be a little hare-brained, but the reasons for doing so are sound.

Maljo taps into the discontent growing on the island from the consumption of resources by outsiders—without any benefit to the long-time residents. Many of them are working and living below the poverty line, or still looking for respectable work; Helen is an example of this last resident experience.

Statics may be a slightly ridiculous figure and his rhetoric may be overblown, but he understands the struggle. And guess what? He's also fond of Homeric associations and uses them when talking about the goals of his party:

"The United Force will not be a third party
between two parties, on Greek and the other Trojan,
both fighting for Helen […]
only United Love can give you the answers!" (XX.ii.107)

Nothing conjures Homer quite like some Greeks, some Trojans, and Helen.

Walcott elevates the petty political rivalries on the island with this language because they have real consequences for his characters. Statics's failure to accomplish anything is, perhaps, the most cynical commentary the poet has to offer in the work. Maljo's demotion to migrant worker shows that the cycle of displacement and enslavement really hasn't been fully broken.