What is Jes Grew?
The significance of Jes Grew in the novel Mumbo Jumbo
In Ishmael Reed's Mumbo Jumbo a viral epidemic seems to be plaguing the lives of people across America. The disease revives in New Orleans and begins to spread uncontrollably throughout America, trying to reach its final destination in New York. The Atonist description of Jes Grew is people "doing stupid sensual things" and "were in a state of an uncontrollable frenzy". However according to Papa LaBas Jes Grew is an anti-plague and enlightens the "infected" and encourages them to move and think freely. So what is Jes Grew and what is it's significance
Despite multiple accounts reporting that Jes Grew is an extremely dangerous epidemic and could threaten the existence of mankind as a whole, the emphasis on curing the disease is very big throughout the story, which gives the reader the impression that the disease is very bad. However as the story continues the reader begins to learn that Jes Grew isn't as bad as it seems to be. According to Papa LaBas, Jes Grew is the complete opposite of the allegations. Jes Grew brings happiness and life into people and could be described as getting loose. Jes Grew can also be interpreted as jazz, since it's reemergence takes place at around the same time and place (New Orleans, 1920). Outside of the plot, Jes grew is a way that Ishmael Reed can challenge western and Eurocentric views on society throughout the story. For example when Moses doesn't seem as magical, or when Set is made fun of as the world's first police officer.
The characters in the story that actively try to bring down Jes Grew are portrayed as villains. This is because these characters are Atonist's. Atonists are depicted as party poopers or people who are against fun. In the book the reader can infer that the sole purpose of the Atonists is to bring down Jes Grew. Organizations such as the wallflower order or the knights templar, want to see the downfall of Jes Grew, and throughout history many continue to try and strangle Jes Grew out of existence however Jes Grew continues to return better than before. The struggle to exterminate Jes Grew is a nod to western culture attempting to become the most superior culture. And when the texts are ultimately destroyed in the story, Jes Grew disappears for a little bit, leading characters to believe that it died for good only for its reemergence in hip hop a couple decades later.
Good job, Leor! I liked the way you discussed Jes Grew from the viewpoints of those who favored it (Papa Labas) and those who opposed it (the Atonists). I also liked how you went beyond the story to examine Jes Grew's deeper significance in historical context (including hip hop and opposing western viewpoints). Excellent analysis of Jes Grew overall.
ReplyDeleteThis post does a really good job of reiterating what Jes Grew is as a summary. It is an anti-plague that enlivens the host and acts as a change in western culture. Through Reed's illustration of characters and organizations, he portrays the struggles of Jes Grew and its uprising.
ReplyDeleteNice post Leor. This post is a good summary of Jes Grew, not quite a disease but not quite a movement. It is a mix, and is a perfect representation of Jazz (hip hop too), and how it is both an art and a movement.
ReplyDeleteGood work Leor! I really enjoy your point that Jes Grew can be seen as a problem, but also as a big change in Western culture. Also, I like your point that Jes Grew is progressively perceived differently throughout the novel. Jes Grew seemed like a very deadly disease in the beginning of the book to readers, but later on we realized that it wasn't as bad as it seemed to be. Keep up the work.
ReplyDeleteI like how you incorporated both the positive and negative perspective of Jes Grew. Reed describes Jes Grew in so many ways that readers can easily become confused as to the true nature of the phenomenon. The long, complicated history of "party pooping" Atonists and Jes Grew advocates created polarized views of Jes Grew, and you captured these contrasting views perfectly.
ReplyDeleteNice post Leor! Party poopers is definitely one way to say it. Your observations are on point! Jes Grew does share a lot of similarities in beginning around the same time as the start of the Jazz Age. I liked your comment on how Reed uses it to western views of society. Nowadays, Jazz is commonplace in western culture, but people were rather reluctant to accept it in its early days! Keep up the good work Leor!
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