Shape-shifter, a collection of short stories written by Paulin Melville, introduced me aspects of Caribbean women’s writing and was a good introduction to the topic. Out of the three stories we read, I found “A Quarrelsome Man” to be most interesting. In this story the “Pistol-Man” and his son Avalon meet a woman named Vera in an herbal market in London after getting into a quarrel with customers about the line and wait in the store because a french couple is taking too long. The Pistol Man helps Vera in the herbal store and she then offers to drive them home. This drive home turns into Vera being welcomed into the Pistol Man’s home for tea and they form a personal connection.
The Herbal Shop is important to the story because it represents similar cultures coming together in a place of familiarity to them. Despite the conflict regarding the french couple, the shop is a place of familiarity and safety for the people of alternative cultures in London. It is evident that the Pistol Man is a regular at the shop as because admits that West Indians, like himself, go to the shop for cures and because he is able to recommend lavender oil for Vera. This sparks an instant connection between the Pistol Man and Vera. While this happens the smell of peppermint reminds Vera of home in St. Vincent and she relates the noise in the store to her home marketplace. Being in a place that makes someone of a different culture comfortable can cause them to let their guard down and feel safe in the community that they are in leading to a likely reason why Vera decided to offer the Pistol Man and his son a ride home and lead to their friendship. I think this connection stemming from cultural similarities is important to take from this story and the importance and comfort of home.
When the Pistol Man talks about his ex wife leaving him, he explains the high expectations he set on her for getting things done his way or the right way. Are these expectations/family dynamic for a wife common in Caribbean culture or are they just specific to the Pistol Man’s marriage?
What is the purpose of the mention of “sexual tension” between the man and Vera? Is it to emphasize the Pistol Man’s feeling of isolation and loneliness in London?
Glossary:
- Aniseed: seed of anise, used in cooking and herbal medicine
- Asafoetida: can be used in spice form or for religious/spiritual purposes. A kind of dried latex derived from tap root plant species
- Red Capiscum: basically just another name for a red pepper or chili pepper
Molly Reilly: Caribbean Women's Writing 