A Nonexistant Evolution

Cristina Garcia

Mr. Longfellow

November 24, 2014

High Times in Jamaica

A Non-existent Evolution

        When reading High Times in Jamaica, one could say that Richard’s personality shines through in the story. One could also say that he evolves, but if they said that then they would be wrong. Richard remains consistent throughout his stay in Jamaica.  He starts off the story as carefree, a little bit wild, and a drifter.

        Richard’s carefree attitude is showcased through numerous spots in the story. A great example is when Scotty and Richard decide to stay with Agnes. “"Scotty, Scotty, Scotty". We both turn round to look. There is this huge Negro woman running down the street with a big straw hat on her head which she has to hold down with one hand. This is Agnes. She runs a saloon in Kingston called Aggie's Place at #7 Princess Street. Scotty introduces us and tells her our story. She says that we will come and stay with her until we sign up on another ship. I look at Scotty and he looks at me. He says, "Okay, Richard?" And I say, "Okay, Scotty". We pick up our gear, throw our bags over our shoulders, and away we go.” (Jacobs, p. 1) At this point I think I would have at least asked about the place where I was going to stay. Richard didn’t though. He was content to go with the flow. He’s like that till the very end when the story says “Scotty left early this morning. Sad farewell. Many of his friends come down at the dock to see him off. Blossom is crying and very sorry to see him leave Jamaica. We had a little party last night but there was no joy. We have had one great ball during the five weeks together on the island. Now I am on my own again. I go back to Aggies's. I am looking for a ship that is leaving for any other port of the world and that will take me along.” (Jacobs, 14) Jamaica was just another stop along the road for Richard. He didn’t really ever care about staying or what happened while he stayed, just about where he would go next.

        Besides staying carefree, Richard also stays a little bit wild. The first example that’s comes to my mind when I think about Richard’s wildness is the shower scene. “Next morning Scotty crawls out of bed and wraps a towel around him. I jump out of the sack and follow suit. The girls are nowhere around. We put on wooden sandals left by our bed for us and go clippety-clop down the stairs and out into the back yard. Everybody laughs when they see how we are dressed. I ask where I can wash up and Marjorie comes towards me. She leads me to the side of a small shed. There's a pipe sticking out with a faucet attached. She says I can take a shower. I wait for her to leave but she doesn't move. She just picks up a bar of soap and a rag and takes the towel from me. Nothing to do but to turn on the water. She proceeds to wash my back and help me take a shower. Well, I have never had anything like this happen to me before, but I'm sure not going to waste any time arguing about it.” (Jacobs, 3) I thought it was kind of interesting that the thought of saying no never occurred to him. His wildness is around to stay though, as is proven almost at the end of the story when Richard decides to do something a little bit foolish. “The streets are quiet at this early hour — 2:30. Occasionally a car goes by, a cat screeches and runs across the street. I pass the prison. I have learned these five weeks that one should not walk the streets alone at late night. Damn it, I want to see if anything will happen, that's why I started this trip. There are gangs that roam the streets, waiting for a drunk seamen or one who is alone. They climb in the trees or on the roofs of the houses. As you walk by they drop on you. I know that to walk in the middle of the street is safer. On the waterfront Scotty and I are safe. We are friends of Aggie's and very few would do harm to us. Here in the back streets there are no friends. The guys on the waterfront tell me that if I am walking alone at night and one or two begin to follow me, I must keep the same pace. When I hear the whistle it will mean others of the gang will be coming. I am about a mile from Aggies's when I hear them. I glance over my shoulder. There are two of them, walking on the sidewalk — close to the buildings — in the shadows. My heart gives a lurch and jumps into my throat. I don't think I'm so damn cocky now. I continue walking in the middle of the street. I hear the whistle — what the hell do I do now? I come to a small side street. The main thoroughfare of Kingston is at the other end, two blocks through an alley with one dim light in the middle casting its eerie shadows. I start into the alley. They close up quickly — two of them. I know I won't reach the midday point before they will be upon me. I turn, face them and walk right past them. They are stunned, momentarily. They turn and follow me. I have taken but five or six steps. I turn and once again start past them. I am almost by when one of them reaches out. I jump back to face them. My heart is pounding in my ears. I look right at them but don't even know what they look like. One says, "Don't be scared, sailor." I take my watch off and put it in my pocket. He says, "All we want is cigarette". I tell them I have no cigarettes. I put my hand inside my shirt. I say, "If you think I have anything else you want, come and try to take it." We stand there, the three of us, no one moving. They laugh, and walk away. I watch until they go around the corner. I am shaking, but not from fear. From exuberance. I did not run. I thought I was going to, but I did not. I was afraid but I faced them. I can face anything.” (Jacobs, 13) Even though Richard knew something bad could happen to him he still went out for that walk. To me that is being pretty wild.