# Malty Avis — Banjo character guide > Malty Avis in Banjo by Claude McKay. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Ise Malty Avis, Malty, III Malty, But Malty, Presently Malty **First appearance:** 0005-iii-malty-turned-down ## Snapshot Big, jolly, and amorous, Malty is the good fellow of the beach who calls Banjo out for not appreciating a first-rate thing when it's handed to him. ## Who they are Malty made it easy for the gang to accept Latnah, and his gentle warmth contrasts with Banjo's careless pride. On the breakwater he tells Banjo plainly that some men never know when they've got a good thing, and Banjo laughs him off with easy come, easy go. His steady, unshowy loyalty gives the group its moral center and quietly measures what Banjo keeps refusing. ## Relationships ### [Banjo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/banjo) _rivalry_ Banjo and Malty Avis are frequent adversaries, clashing over goals and values. ### [Latnah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/latnah) _rivalry_ Latnah and Malty Avis are locked in a tense rivalry, competing for influence and attention. ### [Banjo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/banjo) _rivalry_ Banjo and Malty Avis are frequent adversaries, clashing over goals and values. ### [Banjo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/banjo) _rivalry_ Banjo and Malty Avis are frequent adversaries, clashing over goals and values. ### [Latnah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/latnah) _rivalry_ Latnah and Malty Avis are locked in a tense rivalry, competing for influence and attention. ### [Latnah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/latnah) _rivalry_ Latnah and Malty Avis are locked in a tense rivalry, competing for influence and attention. ## In the story ### [First Part](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/first-part) A sharp and pragmatic member of the gang, often engaging in debates with Banjo about women, work, and survival. ### [I: The Ditch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/i-the-ditch) Leader of the beach boys, he feeds Banjo and introduces him to the group. He is a West Indian with a history as a sailor. ### [II: The Breakwater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/ii-the-breakwater) Leads the gang, helps welcome the new seaman, and shares in the wine-drinking and café adventures. ### [III: Malty Turned Down](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/iii-malty-turned-down) Malty is jealous of Banjo's relationship with Latnah and makes unwanted advances toward her. He is a strong swimmer and diver, with a past in the West Indies. ### [IV: Hard Feeding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/iv-hard-feeding) Participates in the feeding frenzy, defends the beach life, and argues with Banjo about self-respect. ### [V: “Jellyroll”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/v-jellyroll) Plays guitar splendidly but has no instrument. He joins Banjo in bringing the cargo boat band to the Vieux Port and comments on the mandolin player's attraction to the Arab-black girl. ### [Second Part](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/second-part) A member of the gang who engages in debates with Banjo, particularly about Latnah and their way of life. ### [VI: Meeting-Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/vi-meeting-up) Not directly present in this chapter, but referenced in the context of the gang's activities. ### [VIII: A Carved Carrot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/viii-a-carved-carrot) Fools near Latnah, showing amorous interest, but is overshadowed by Banjo's appeal. ### [IX: Taloufa's Shirttail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/ix-taloufa-s-shirttail) Indifferent to Taloufa's loss, refuses to go with the police, and comments on the principle of the matter. ### [XII: Bugsy's Chinese Pie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xii-bugsy-s-chinese-pie) Comments on French bread and is part of the group. ### [XV: White Terror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xv-white-terror) Malty is not explicitly present in this chapter's excerpts, but his gang is referenced as the group that Banjo and Ray are with. The chapter focuses on the broader group dynamics and their collective experience. ### [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) Sprawled in a corner after the party, later joins the plan to go to the vineyards. ### [Third Part](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/third-part) Engages in debates with Banjo, particularly regarding Latnah, and shares in the group's experiences. ### [XVIII: Banjo’s Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xviii-banjo-s-return) Present with Ray and Latnah, comments on Banjo's return. ### [XIX: Lonesome Blue Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xix-lonesome-blue-again) Meets Ray in Bum Square and informs him that Banjo has been taken suddenly ill and is dying. ### [XX: The Rock of Refuge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xx-the-rock-of-refuge) Helps Ray get Banjo to the hospital and brings him a chicken dinner. He tells the story of Indian seamen who were robbed by 'kelts'. ### [XXIII: Shake That Thing Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xxiii-shake-that-thing-again) Joins Banjo in the music, blowing a horn or whistling during the celebration. ### [XXV: Banjo’s Ace of Spades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xxv-banjo-s-ace-of-spades) Found with Ginger panhandling near a P&O boat with an Indian crew, commenting that there is never anything doing on a 'coolie-jabbering boat.' ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/malty_avis - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters