Ti-Jean and his Brothers

The quote from this play, by noted Afro-Caribbean playwright and poet Derek Walcott, which opens the narrative draws a clear, ethno-cultural connection between the two works. The quote is, in essence, an acknowledgement of the groundbreaking, seminal work done by Walcott in bringing Afro-Caribbean culture to mainstream attention, and the work done by the author of this novel to continue that process.

Uttley’s Old Heart

The deteriorated, failing heart that Baines and other characters are seeking to transplant out of Premier Uttley represents deteriorating, failing socio-political practices. Those practices have led to the decay and dangers in the dystopian world inhabited by protagonist Ti-Jeanne and other characters living in the Burn, with the heart itself representing the corruption at the "heart" of the ruling social, political, and economic system.

Uttley's New Heart

The heart transplanted into Premier Uttley, which is the heart...