Narrative Summary of “Bones”: Being Further Adventures in Mr. Commissioner Sanders’ Country

Overview:

I’m about to take you on a wild ride through the heart of Africa, where I, a young British lieutenant, am tasked with keeping the peace in the Ochori country. While I’m not as skilled as my predecessor, Commissioner Sanders, I’m certainly eager to prove myself. The story unfolds as I encounter various challenges, including a cunning rebel chief named Mimbimi, a greedy and ambitious chief named Bosambo, and even a legendary green crocodile. The journey tests my leadership, my wits, and my understanding of the complex dynamics between the diverse tribes.

Main Parts:

• The Departure of Sanders: Commissioner Sanders leaves for a leave of absence, leaving the Ochori country in the hands of Lieutenant Tibbetts, a well-meaning but somewhat bumbling officer, nicknamed “Bones.”
• Bosambo’s Schemes: While Sanders is away, Bosambo, the Chief of the Ochori, uses his position and cunning to extract extra tribute from his people and then disappears.
• Mimbimi’s Palaver: A mysterious rebel leader, Mimbimi, calls a ghost palaver, drawing in powerful chiefs from surrounding tribes. This event unsettles the peace, as Mimbimi is a wildcard.
• The Kidnapping of Mr. Blowter: The Right Honorable Mr. Blowter, the Colonial Secretary, visits the Ochori country, ignoring warnings about its dangers. He ends up kidnapped by Mimbimi, who later releases him unharmed, showing surprising respect for Commissioner Sanders.
• Bones Takes Charge: Lieutenant Tibbetts struggles to maintain order in the Ochori country, dealing with rebellions, disputes, and even a tribe who dig wells in the most inconvenient places. He is ultimately blamed for the kidnapping of Mr. Blowter.
• The Fetish Stick: In the Akasava country, a limping, vindictive young man, M’fosa, leads a rebellion. He plans to burn Sanders’ fetish stick, a symbolic pole meant to protect the people from harm, but Sanders returns unexpectedly.
• The Border Dispute: A large force of rebels, led by Bizaro, threatens to cross the border into British territory. Bosambo, with his army of Ochori warriors, clashes with Bizaro. Hamilton, now the Acting Commissioner, arrives with his Houssas to reinforce Bosambo and successfully repulse the rebels.
• The Green Crocodile: Bones, in an attempt to appease the people after accidentally killing the sacred Green Crocodile, M’zooba, goes on a frantic quest to find a replacement. He succeeds, but the new crocodile is even more menacing than the original.
• The Devil-Child: A prophecy about a devil-child spreads fear among the tribes. Bones, in an attempt to save the child, is chased through the jungle by M’bisibi, a powerful witch doctor.
• The Man Who Does Not Sleep: Bones’ reputation as a tireless and vigilant officer grows, but he is also accused of secretly marrying Bosambo’s aunt.

View on Life:

• Bosambo’s View: Bosambo represents the cunning, ambitious side of native leadership. He believes in seizing opportunities and using any means necessary to advance his position. His actions highlight the corruption and power struggles common within the tribal systems.
• Sanders’ View: Sanders represents a just and firm, yet compassionate, colonial administration. He emphasizes the importance of law and order, but also shows understanding and respect for the native traditions. He believes in fairness and tries to protect the people from themselves.
• Bones’ View: Bones is an idealistic and rather naive young officer, still trying to find his place in this unfamiliar world. He has a strong sense of duty and a tendency to exaggerate his accomplishments.

Scenarios:

• The Ochori Tax Palaver: Bosambo uses a grand palaver to manipulate the chiefs into accepting a heavier tax burden.
• Mimbimi’s Ghost Palaver: A gathering of chiefs under the pretense of a ghost ritual creates a sense of unease and instability.
• The Kidnapping of Mr. Blowter: The unexpected kidnapping of the Colonial Secretary highlights the precariousness of the situation.
• The Fetish Stick Burning: M’fosa’s plan to burn the fetish stick symbolizes a defiance of authority and traditional values.
• The Border Crossing: Bizaro’s attempt to establish a new homeland by crossing the border leads to a violent conflict.
• The Death of the Green Crocodile: The accidental killing of the sacred Green Crocodile exposes the tension between traditional beliefs and modern practices.
• The Devil-Child Prophecy: The prophecy about the devil-child reveals a deep-seated fear and distrust of outsiders.
• The Middle Island Dispute: The dispute over a fishing ground on a Middle Island illustrates the complexities of land ownership and inter-tribal relationships.

Challenges:

• Maintaining Order: Bones faces a multitude of challenges in trying to control the diverse tribes and uphold law and order in the absence of the experienced Commissioner Sanders.
• Dealing with Ambitious Chiefs: Bosambo’s manipulations and Mimbimi’s rebellious activities test Bones’ abilities to manage power struggles.
• The Devil-Child Prophecy: The prophecy creates a sense of panic and fear, making it difficult to maintain order and protect innocent lives.
• The Border Dispute: The potential for international conflict adds another layer of complexity to the situation.
• The Green Crocodile: The accidental killing of the Green Crocodile leads to a backlash from the local people.

Conflict:

• Traditional vs. Modern: The story reflects the ongoing tension between traditional beliefs and practices and the intrusion of Western colonialism and its laws.
• Power Struggles: The various chiefs and rebel leaders are constantly vying for power, causing instability and violence.
• Individual vs. Authority: Bones, despite his limitations, tries to assert himself as a figure of authority, but his inexperience and lack of cultural understanding often undermine his efforts.

Plot:

The story revolves around a series of interconnected events and challenges that unfold as Bones attempts to fill the shoes of Commissioner Sanders.

• Key Milestones:
  • Sanders leaves, leaving Bones in charge.
  • Bosambo’s manipulations and disappearance.
  • Mimbimi’s ghost palaver and the kidnapping of Mr. Blowter.
  • Bones’ efforts to maintain order and control the diverse tribes.
  • The rebellion led by M’fosa and the threat of the fetish stick’s destruction.
  • Bizaro’s attempt to cross the border and the subsequent battle.
  • The death of the Green Crocodile and the backlash from the people.
  • The prophecy about the devil-child.
  • The dispute over the Middle Island and Bosambo’s attempted colonization.
  • Bones’ efforts to resolve the murder of B’chumbiri and his growing reputation as “The Man Who Does Not Sleep.”

Point of View:

The story is told from the perspective of Lieutenant Tibbetts, which allows the reader to experience the challenges and intricacies of the situation through the eyes of a newcomer to the Ochori country. His limited understanding of the native culture and customs adds to the humor and suspense of the narrative.

How It’s Written:

The text is written in a lighthearted, conversational tone. Wallace uses humor to highlight the absurdity of certain situations and the contrasting personalities of the characters. He also uses descriptive language to vividly depict the setting and create a sense of adventure. An example of this is his description of Bones’ quest for a green crocodile, where he uses words like “frantic,” “exultant,” and “monstrous” to create a sense of excitement.

Tone:

The tone is lighthearted and humorous, with moments of suspense and intrigue. The story is a satirical take on colonialism and the clash of cultures, but it also highlights the bravery and determination of the characters, both British and native.

Life Choices:

• Bosambo’s Choices: Bosambo chooses to exploit his position and exploit his people for personal gain, ultimately leading to his downfall.
• Bones’ Choices: Despite his initial inexperience, Bones chooses to take on the challenges of leadership and tries to uphold justice and fairness in the Ochori country.

Lessons:

• The importance of leadership: The story shows how even a seemingly inadequate leader like Bones can make a difference when they are committed to serving others.
• The complexities of colonialism: The story explores the ethical dilemmas of colonialism and the clash of cultures.
• The need for empathy and understanding: The story highlights the importance of understanding diverse cultures and perspectives to navigate complex situations.

Characters:

• Lieutenant Francis Augustus Tibbetts (Bones): A young, eager, and somewhat incompetent officer, known for his clumsiness, his love of romance, and his unusual connection with a baby. He learns quickly, however, and eventually proves himself a capable leader.
• Commissioner Sanders: The experienced and respected Commissioner, known for his fairness, his intelligence, and his deep understanding of the native people. He represents a more balanced approach to colonialism.
• Bosambo: The ambitious and cunning Chief of the Ochori, who uses his position to enrich himself and gain power. He is a master manipulator and a constant source of conflict.
• Mimbimi: The mysterious and enigmatic rebel leader who disrupts the peace with his ghost palaver and the kidnapping of the Colonial Secretary. He represents a force of chaos and unpredictability.
• M’fosa: The limping, cruel, and power-hungry son of Chief N’gori. He is a dangerous and unpredictable antagonist who seeks to overthrow his father and seize control of the Akasava.
• Chief N’gori: The Akasava chief, who is often manipulated by his son, M’fosa. He is generally a fair and reasonable leader, but he is easily swayed by the ambitions of his son.
• B’limi Saka: The treacherous and cruel chief of the Lombobo, known for his cruelty and his reliance on his daughter, Lamalana.
• Lamalana: The barren woman, known as the “Drinker of Life,” who shares her father’s thirst for power and cruelty. She is a dangerous and terrifying force.
• M’gani: The mysterious and powerful “Walker of the Night,” who travels through the Ochori country at night, interfering with the affairs of the tribes and protecting the innocent. He is later revealed to be Commissioner Sanders.

Themes:

• The Clash of Cultures: The story depicts the collision of Western colonialism with the diverse cultures of the Ochori country, highlighting the tensions and conflicts that arise from this encounter.
• Power and Corruption: The story explores the corrupting influence of power and how it can lead to betrayal, manipulation, and violence.
• The Importance of Justice: Bones’ efforts to uphold the law and protect the innocent underscore the importance of justice and fairness, even in a chaotic and unpredictable world.
• The Power of Belief: The story highlights the role of belief and superstition in shaping the lives and actions of the native people.

Principles:

• Respect for law and order: Sanders’ approach to governing the Ochori country emphasizes the importance of maintaining law and order to protect the people and ensure stability.
• The value of compassion: Despite the challenges he faces, Sanders demonstrates compassion and understanding for the native people.
• The need for cultural understanding: The story underscores the importance of understanding diverse cultures and perspectives to navigate complex situations effectively.

Intentions:

• Characters:
  • Bosambo: To gain power and wealth through manipulation and deceit.
  • Mimbimi: To disrupt the established order and create chaos.
  • M’fosa: To overthrow his father and seize control of the Akasava.
  • B’limi Saka: To maintain his power and engage in cruelty and violence.
  • Lamalana: To satisfy her own thirst for power and cruelty.
  • M’gani: To protect the innocent and restore order.
  • Bones: To prove himself a capable leader and uphold justice and fairness.
• Reader: To entertain and inform, to provide a glimpse into the complex world of colonial Africa, and to highlight the clash of cultures and the challenges of navigating diverse societies.

Unique Vocabulary:

• “Lokali”: A native drum used to send messages across great distances.
• “Puc-a-puc”: The name for the government steamer.
• “Ewa”: The native word for “death.”
• “G’la”: A derogatory term for a fool, used by Bones to mock his enemies.

Anecdotes:

• The Fetish Stick Story: The story of the fetish stick, a tall pole planted by Sanders to protect the people from harm, highlights the importance of symbolic power and the lengths to which individuals will go to challenge authority.
• The Green Crocodile Incident: The story of the Green Crocodile and Bones’ desperate attempt to find a replacement showcases the clash between modern and traditional beliefs and the consequences of interfering with sacred customs.

Ideas:

• The nature of colonialism: The story challenges the reader to consider the complex and often contradictory nature of colonialism, exploring both its positive and negative aspects.
• The importance of understanding: The story emphasizes the need to understand and respect different cultures and perspectives to avoid conflict and misunderstanding.

Facts and Findings:

• The Ochori country is a vast and diverse territory with many different tribes and cultures.
• The native people have their own traditions, beliefs, and customs, which are often in conflict with the laws and values of the British government.
• The Ochori country is rich in resources, including ivory, rubber, and gum.
• The rivers are vital for transportation and trade.

Statistics:

• The Ochori country encompasses millions of square miles.
• Bosambo extracts a large amount of tribute from his people.
• Bizaro leads a force of thousands of rebels.
• Bones accidentally kills the Green Crocodile, which is revered by the local people.

Points of View:

The story is written from a Western perspective, highlighting the challenges faced by the British government in attempting to govern a diverse and complex territory. However, it also allows the reader to see the situation from the perspective of the native people, showcasing their traditions, beliefs, and perspectives.

Perspective:

The story offers a unique perspective on colonial Africa, highlighting the complexities of the situation and the clash of cultures. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the perspectives of both the colonizers and the colonized.

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