A Brief History of Seven Killings

A Brief History of Seven Killings

by

Marlon James

A Brief History of Seven Killings: Part 2, Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Alex can’t sleep, so he asks a taxi driver to take him somewhere that’s “still jumping.” At first the driver is resistant, reminding Alex that it’s past curfew, but eventually he agrees to try and find somewhere. They pull up to the Turntable Club, and Alex ends up sleeping with a Jamaican woman called Aisha. The next day he has a lunch date with Mark Lansing, who has offered to help him get access to the Singer. Alex goes to get coffee, leaving Aisha asleep in his bed.
One recurring motif in the novel is the desire of white American men for black Jamaican women. Although Alex may not be conscious of it, his desire to sleep with Aisha seems related to seem at home in Jamaica and access the “authentic” side of the country.
Themes
Masculinity, Sexuality, and Homophobia Theme Icon
Jamaican Culture and Identity Theme Icon
Witness and Storytelling Theme Icon