Communism In Dr. Magiot

Magiot, the black communist, is a courageous man whose fundamental political beliefs and a unique balance of mind are noticeable. He has determined to pick up a certain attitude to life (communism) rather than to join the terrorist movements of “Papa Doc.” This attitude is nothing but a political commitment on behalf of the whole mankind. Besides, he may be said to be creating, “a certain image of man as he would have him to be.” In shaping himself, he is also shaping other men. He is so much of a humanist that he cannot remain untouched. His last epistle to Brown is a sorrowful cry of commitment to his humanistic belief. He quotes: “Communism... is more than Marxism, just as Catholicism... is more than the Roman Curia. There is a ... mystique as well as a politique. We are humanists, you and I. You won’t admit it perhaps... I implore you―if you have abandoned one faith, do not abandon all faith. There is always an alternative to the faith we lose. Or is it the same faith under another mask?” (The Comedians,

Though millions of dollars intended for various projects ended up in the pockets of Duvalier and his supporters, and though his regime was the nightmare Greene described, the United States continued to support him as a bulwark against communism. The novel exposes the brutality of the regime and, more important, it shows America’s willingness to support any amount of violence in order to prevent Haiti from becoming another Cuba. Duvalier, of course, knew this and as Greene indicates in several places, alternately blackmailed and humiliated America to keep the flow of money running. Dr. Magiot tells Brown there was personal benefit to be gained on the American side as well.17 Papa Doc’s supporter in Washington is the persuader for certain American-owned mills which grind grey flour for the people out of imported spare wheat. It is a matter of amazement how much money can be made out of the poorest of the poor with a little ingenuity. In addition, there is a powerful beef-racket overpowering and exploiting the weak and