Miss Blackie Character Analysis in A House for Mr Biswas

The Tulsis’ black Catholic maid, whose real name is never revealed. Her actual job is also unclear, since the Tulsi sisters do most of the work at Hanuman House. It appears that her primary duty, especially in the second half of the book, is comforting and appeasing Mrs Tulsi. This often leads Miss Blackie to offensively degrade and apologize on behalf of all black Trinidadians.

Miss Blackie Character Timeline in A House for Mr Biswas

The timeline below shows where the character Miss Blackie appears in A House for Mr Biswas. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Colonialism, Oppression, and Escape Theme Icon

The Tulsis had a servant whom everyone called Miss Blackie (except Mrs Tulsi), but the daughters did most of the housework, and the husbands worked... (full context)

Shama cried out and Owad’s eyes welled up with “tears of anger;” even the Catholic Miss Blackie was offended. Mr Biswas quoted Pankaj Rai’s criticism of idols and Owad called him a... (full context)

...bamboo tent in the yard and bring in food; all the Tulsis came “except Seth, Miss Blackie , and the two gods” (Shekhar and Owad), who were busy in school. Hari donned... (full context)

...spare rooms, and everyone fell into misery, anticipating her illnesses and arbitrary orders. She brought Miss Blackie , Sushila, and of course the expected, ambiguous ailments that left her mostly bedridden, in... (full context)

...of Spain went slowly, as she underpaid and “regularly abused and dismissed” various contractors, while Miss Blackie comforted her by affirming how unreliable “my people” were. After three months, the work was... (full context)