A Bend in the River Units 12-17

In Units 12 through 17 of A Bend in the River by V.S. Naipaul, we get more of the other character's back stories. Yvette tells Salim how she met Raymond for the first time and her strained interactions with the President, how she offended him. Raymond releases a book of the President's speeches, which is censored by the publisher. This leads to the Youth Guards marching the streets with the books.

The President disbands the Youth Guard. Metty and Salim are "harassed" by the police for being Arabs. Riots sweep the towns and the Capitol and the statues are "smashed." Metty brings Salim a leaflet written by the former Youth Guard, called "The Ancestors Shriek," saying the President is the "enemy." Shoba's father dies and she goes into hiding, cutting off contact with Salim. Shoba reveals to Salim, she had her face bleached to make the skin lighter and shows him her disfigured face.

Salim admits that he enjoys dinner with Yvette and Raymond, feeling like he is a part of their "family." Salim tries to distance himself from Yvette until they break up. Nazruddin writes to Salim, telling him he is leaving Africa to move to Canada. Nazruddin writes a year later, telling him, he is leaving Canada to move to England. Salim flies to London to visit Nazruddin and becomes engaged to Kareisha, Nazruddin's daughter. She tells him what Indar has been up to. Salim leaves to go back to Africa, via Brussels, realizing he belongs in Africa.

Salim goes back to Africa. Metty tells the President has taken control of his shop and given it to Citizen Theotime. Salim becomes the manager of the shop and the chauffeur for Theo. He also learns Raymond and Yvette have left Africa. Work becomes a "hateful place" for both Salim and Metty. Metty believes Salim has "failed" him. Salim is arrested, and Ferdinand, being an Commissioner, visits him, telling Salim, he "must go" before the President visits, and buys him a steamer ticket out of town.

Throughout the turmoil, Salim struggles with his identity. He doesn't believe he is just an Arab or an African. He feels like he doesn't belong anywhere, and has no sense of purpose. He keeps calling himself, "lost." It's interesting as characters leave and head off into another job or location, Salim wishes it was him, who was having a new adventure. It feels like he has "the grass is greener" syndrome, that if he just moved somewhere else, he would be a better person. When he goes to London and feels displaced, is when he finally realizes where he is or where he is from, doesn't matter. He can be the same person anywhere. It's unfortunate that the country he finally chooses to belong to, doesn't feel he belongs either and tortures him for it.