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Idlephonse
Citizen Théotime is a local African mechanic and drunk who gains possession of Salim’s store during nationalization. Théotime is illiterate, spending most of his days at the shop in the backroom reading comic books, leaving Salim and Metty to do all the actual work. As a result, he demands a strange combination of deference and consideration, wanting their absolute respect while also having concessions made for his lack of capabilities. He has Salim become his chauffeur and is especially cruel to Metty as a means of flexing his position, but is ultimately ineffectual at getting either to follow his orders.
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Citizen Théotime Character Timeline in A Bend in the River
The timeline below shows where the character Citizen Théotime appears in A Bend in the River. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 16
...African-born citizen, as a part of the President’s radical new nationalization effort. The new owner, Théotime, a local mechanic, was appointed as the new “state trustee” of Salim’s shop. From what...
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...missing, with a collection of tattered old comic books in their place. Salim waits for Théotime to arrive, and when he does, Salim is struck by just how modest the man...
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...still can. Remembering Mahesh’s smuggling days, Salim begins dealing in ivory and gold, using Citizen Théotime’s name to protect the deals. Making the money is much easier than getting it out...
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Chapter 17
Though he begins still somewhat deferent to Salim, over time, Théotime loses the fear that the Big Man would take the shop back from him and...
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...disenfranchised by Salim’s sudden loss of power. One evening he even says he will kill Théotime if something doesn’t change soon. When Salim goes to drive Théotime to work he tries...
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