# Ray — Banjo character guide > Ray in Banjo by Claude McKay. **Role:** supporting **First appearance:** 0001-banjo ## Snapshot An observer who has shared the beach boys' pleasures and now finds he cannot leave until he has shared their troubles too. ## Who they are Ray moves among the vagabonds as a witness and participant, studying the Ditch's scheme of life — where bawdiness is merely a means toward respectability — while trying to preserve the rough, joyous picture of the beach intact in his mind. When Banjo faces an operation and Lonesome Blue's reappearance disrupts his plans, Ray chooses to stay and help rather than slip away with his memory unspoiled. His divided impulse, to record and to belong, gives the novel its reflective center. ## Relationships ### [Banjo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/banjo) _friendship_ Banjo and Ray share a deep, brotherly bond, often relying on each other for support and adventure. ### [Lonesome Blue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/lonesome_blue) _friendship_ Lonesome Blue and Ray share a quiet, steady companionship, often watching each other's backs. ### [Goosey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/goosey) _friendship_ Goosey and Ray are easygoing friends, often sharing jokes and a sense of adventure. ### [Latnah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/latnah) _friendship_ Latnah and Ray have a respectful, friendly dynamic, with occasional underlying tension. ### [Pardner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/pardner) _friendship_ Pardner and Ray are dependable friends, often sharing responsibilities and trust. ### [Gal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/gal) _friendship_ Gal and Ray share a caring, supportive friendship, with Gal often offering guidance. ### [Banjo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/banjo) _friendship_ Banjo and Ray share a deep, brotherly bond, often relying on each other for support and adventure. ### [Banjo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/banjo) _friendship_ Banjo and Ray share a deep, brotherly bond, often relying on each other for support and adventure. ### [Goosey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/goosey) _friendship_ Goosey and Ray are easygoing friends, often sharing jokes and a sense of adventure. ### [Pardner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/pardner) _friendship_ Pardner and Ray are dependable friends, often sharing responsibilities and trust. ### [Lonesome Blue](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/lonesome_blue) _friendship_ Lonesome Blue and Ray share a quiet, steady companionship, often watching each other's backs. ### [Latnah](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/latnah) _friendship_ Latnah and Ray have a respectful, friendly dynamic, with occasional underlying tension. ## In the story ### [First Part](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/first-part) An intellectual and aspiring writer who observes the lives of the men around him, declaring his intent to write about their experiences. ### [Second Part](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/second-part) A character who declares his intention to write a book about the gang's lives, observing and documenting their experiences. ### [VI: Meeting-Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/vi-meeting-up) Ray shows Banjo his writing and takes him to the Corniche, reflecting on the romance of Marseilles and the Negro presence there. ### [VII: The Flute-Boy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/vii-the-flute-boy) Accompanies Banjo, expresses outrage at the flute-boy's mistreatment, and shows interest in the orchestra. ### [VIII: A Carved Carrot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/viii-a-carved-carrot) Banjo's pal, who shares in the freedom of the Ditch but remains wary of its sliminess, rejecting the old woman's advances. ### [IX: Taloufa's Shirttail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/ix-taloufa-s-shirttail) Present at the hangout with two English guests, and earlier engages in a discussion with Taloufa about Garvey and the Back-to-Africa movement. ### [X: Storytelling](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/x-storytelling) Defends his writing as a natural act, shares a story about posing nude in Paris, and challenges Goosey's views on race and art. ### [XI: Everybody Doing It](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xi-everybody-doing-it) Ray is the central observer in this chapter, reflecting on his identity, patriotism, and the European scene. He meets two English panhandlers and demonstrates his detached, analytical perspective on race and nationality. ### [XII: Bugsy's Chinese Pie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xii-bugsy-s-chinese-pie) Reflects on race and civilization, and supports Banjo's charity. ### [XIII: Bugsy Comes Back at Banjo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xiii-bugsy-comes-back-at-banjo) Present with Banjo at a bar near Boody Lane, playing American poker. ### [XIV: Telling Jokes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xiv-telling-jokes) Defends the jokes, criticizes Goosey's views, and ultimately decides to help Lonesome Blue, showing a complex mix of cynicism and compassion. ### [XV: White Terror](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xv-white-terror) Ray is on his way to meet Banjo and is accosted by a drunken seaman. He meets three American Negro seamen and introduces them to Banjo. He engages in a deep conversation about prejudice, business, and the differences between American and French racism, advocating for a tolerant and thoughtful perspective. ### [XVI: The “Blue Cinema”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xvi-the-blue-cinema) Engages in philosophical debates about race, sex, and colonialism; critiques educated Negroes for despising their own people; advocates for a racial renaissance rooted in common people and native cultures; enjoys the atmosphere and dialects at the African Bar. ### [XVII: Breaking-Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xvii-breaking-up) Wakes with a hangover, tries to dissuade Banjo from leaving, and later decides to go to the vineyards with Latnah and Malty. ### [Third Part](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/third-part) Declares his intention to write, marking a personal shift and a new purpose within the narrative. ### [XVIII: Banjo’s Return](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xviii-banjo-s-return) Sees Banjo working in coal and tries to convince him to return to his carefree ways. ### [XIX: Lonesome Blue Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xix-lonesome-blue-again) Decides to leave the Ditch, feeling the place has lost its charm. He tries to help Lonesome Blue but is frustrated by bureaucracy and Lonesome's own stupidity. He ultimately plans to leave that evening. ### [XX: The Rock of Refuge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xx-the-rock-of-refuge) Takes charge of getting Banjo to the hospital, navigating the admission process. He reflects on the changing Ditch and sells a poem, using the money to buy a chicken for Banjo. ### [Official Fists](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xxi-official-fists) Is beaten and arrested by police, writes to the prefect, and debates morality and justice with Crosby. ### [XXII: Reaction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xxii-reaction) Ray is deeply disillusioned with French civilization, feeling that despite claims of tolerance, there is a fundamental contempt for black people. He rejects the respectable life and returns to the Ditch. ### [XXIII: Shake That Thing Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xxiii-shake-that-thing-again) Returns to the Ditch, joins the party, but leaves before the police raid; later shares an intimate moment with Latnah. ### [XXIV: The Chauffeur’s Lot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xxiv-the-chauffeur-s-lot) Accompanies the chauffeur to his suburban lot, reflecting on change and his altered feelings toward him. Reunites with Jake and Sister Geter. ### [XXV: Banjo’s Ace of Spades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/chapters/xxv-banjo-s-ace-of-spades) Declines an easy place on the ship, watches Banjo sign on wistfully. He is invited by Banjo to jump ship and go vagabonding. He reflects on social morality versus the instinctive life of the beach boys and feels a connection to his African roots. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters/ray - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/banjo_se/characters