# Banjo — Banjo character guide > Banjo in Banjo by Claude McKay. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Ruthope Banjo, VIII A Carved Carrot Banjo, The irresponsible, carefree Banjo **First appearance:** 0001-banjo ## Snapshot A guitar-playing Black vagabond in Marseille who plays for joy rather than sous, drifting through the Ditch with a carefree charm that keeps him fed, housed, and restless. ## Who they are Banjo anchors a floating brotherhood of beach boys scraping meals off docked ships and coins off bistro floors, and his music briefly turns their hunger into something like art. Latnah keeps a pillow ready and a ten-franc note in reach, yet he refuses to bury his head under any woman's skirt, insisting easy come, easy go. His refusal to fight over trampled porridge marks the pride that separates him from the pack and sets the terms of his drifting. ## Relationships ### [Ray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/ray) _friendship_ Banjo and Ray share a deep, brotherly bond, often relying on each other for support and adventure. ### [Latnah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/latnah) _romantic_ Banjo and Latnah have a passionate, complicated romance, with moments of tenderness and conflict. ### [Malty Avis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/malty_avis) _rivalry_ Banjo and Malty Avis are frequent adversaries, clashing over goals and values. ### [Goosey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/goosey) _friendship_ Banjo and Goosey are loyal companions, often sharing lighthearted moments and mutual trust. ### [Bugsy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/bugsy) _friendship_ Banjo and Bugsy have a playful, supportive friendship, with Bugsy often providing comic relief. ### [Gal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/gal) _friendship_ Banjo and Gal have a warm, familial friendship, with Gal acting as a grounding presence. ### [Pardner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/pardner) _friendship_ Banjo and Pardner are close allies, often teaming up for schemes and escapades. ### [Taloufa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/taloufa) _friendship_ Banjo and Taloufa have a bond of mutual respect, often exchanging stories and wisdom. ### [Dengel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/dengel) _friendship_ Banjo and Dengel have a steady, reliable friendship, often working together in harmony. ### [Lonesome Blue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/lonesome_blue) _friendship_ Banjo and Lonesome Blue have a quiet, understanding friendship, with a shared sense of solitude. ### [Ginger](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/ginger) _friendship_ Banjo and Ginger have a casual, friendly relationship, often sharing light conversation. ### [Sarka](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/sarka) _friendship_ Banjo and Sarka have a respectful, cooperative friendship, often working toward common goals. ## In the story ### [Dedication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/dedication) The dedication names Ruthope, which is an alias for Banjo, the central character. ### [Banjo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/banjo) Central character introduced in the chapter, the focus of the story. ### [First Part](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/first-part) The central figure, a carefree and irresponsible wanderer who forms a gang and navigates the precarious life of the docks and bars of Marseille. ### [I: The Ditch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/i-the-ditch) Arrives in Marseilles, spends his money, and is now broke. He meets Malty's gang and plays his banjo, dreaming of forming an orchestra. ### [II: The Breakwater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/ii-the-breakwater) Recovering from his wound, dreams of forming an orchestra, and engages in playful yet tense interactions with Latnah. ### [III: Malty Turned Down](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/iii-malty-turned-down) Banjo is in a relationship with Latnah, but he takes it casually, saying 'Easy come, easy go.' He confronts Malty over his advances toward Latnah, leading to a fight. ### [IV: Hard Feeding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/iv-hard-feeding) Disgusted by the feeding frenzy, refuses to degrade himself, and leaves abruptly on a boat. ### [V: “Jellyroll”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/v-jellyroll) Finds deep satisfaction in the Café African's all-Negro atmosphere, plays 'Shake That Thing' for wine instead of sous, and dreams of forming an orchestra. He leads the impromptu band and remains carefree after the brawl. ### [Second Part](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/second-part) The central figure, leading a carefree life in the Ville, rejecting work, and forming a gang. He is injured and cared for by Latnah. ### [VI: Meeting-Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/vi-meeting-up) Banjo expresses interest in Ray's work but quickly loses interest, preferring to discuss vagabond life. He argues with the café proprietor about Marcus Garvey. ### [VII: The Flute-Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/vii-the-flute-boy) Recruits the flute-boy for his orchestra, defends his banjo playing against accusations of it being a symbol of slavery. ### [VIII: A Carved Carrot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/viii-a-carved-carrot) Leads the group with a rough but charismatic demeanor, orchestrating music and navigating the Ditch's dangers. ### [IX: Taloufa's Shirttail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/ix-taloufa-s-shirttail) Takes Taloufa to see the breakwater, persuades him to leave a girl to play music for English visitors, and later comments on Taloufa's romantic choices. ### [X: Storytelling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/x-storytelling) Proudly announces Ray as a 'writing black' and encourages the group to listen to Ray's story. ### [XI: Everybody Doing It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xi-everybody-doing-it) Banjo is mentioned as having played for the two Englishmen on a previous night, connecting them to the beach boys' circle. ### [XII: Bugsy's Chinese Pie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xii-bugsy-s-chinese-pie) Shares his earnings, defends his generosity, and tells a story about Jerco. ### [XIII: Bugsy Comes Back at Banjo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xiii-bugsy-comes-back-at-banjo) Spending money on Chère Blanche, seen as color-blind to race, mocked by Latnah, and threatened with a dagger. ### [XIV: Telling Jokes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xiv-telling-jokes) Avoids Lonesome Blue, refuses to encourage him, and engages in the debate about jokes, showing his disdain for those who lose the vagabond spirit. ### [XV: White Terror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xv-white-terror) Banjo is at the Senegalese Bar when Ray arrives with the seamen. He is in a merrymaking mood and becomes the center of attention. He shares his cynical view on French attitudes, noting that they are also driven by money, and suggests they go to the Ditch to avoid the 'crackers'. ### [XVI: The “Blue Cinema”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xvi-the-blue-cinema) Mentioned as part of the group at the café, but not actively involved in the conversations. ### [XVII: Breaking-Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xvii-breaking-up) Leaves with wealthy companions for the Riviera, despite Ray's warnings, causing the group to fall apart. ### [Third Part](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/third-part) Continues to lead his group, seeking work and maintaining his carefree yet determined spirit. ### [XVIII: Banjo’s Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xviii-banjo-s-return) Returns to the Vieux Port, loses his banjo to a trick, and takes up coal work, becoming a steady laborer. ### [XIX: Lonesome Blue Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xix-lonesome-blue-again) Not present in the chapter but is the subject of Ray's thoughts and advice. At the end, Ray learns Banjo is suddenly ill and dying. ### [XX: The Rock of Refuge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xx-the-rock-of-refuge) Suffering from severe kidney pain, he is admitted to the Hôtel Dieu hospital. He reluctantly considers America as home and asks Ray to write to his aunt. ### [Official Fists](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xxi-official-fists) Describes the police beating and articulates his philosophy of avoiding official affairs and the police. ### [XXII: Reaction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xxii-reaction) Banjo is mentioned as part of the Ditch community, where Ray feels more at home despite the police harassment. ### [XXIII: Shake That Thing Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xxiii-shake-that-thing-again) Hosts the celebration at the African Bar, plays 'Shake That Thing', and has received notice to prepare for departure. ### [XXIV: The Chauffeur’s Lot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xxiv-the-chauffeur-s-lot) Joins the outing to the chauffeur's place, mocks Goosey's souvenir dirt, and warns the chauffeur to leave Latnah alone. ### [XXV: Banjo’s Ace of Spades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xxv-banjo-s-ace-of-spades) Argues with Goosey about race, reveals his brother was lynched and he fought in the war. Signs on a ship under a false name, takes a month's wages, and plans to jump ship to stay in Marseille, inviting Ray to join him. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/banjo - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters