-- Posted by purplebeans at 3:49 pm on Dec. 10, 2004 need help ... anyone read a bend in the river by naipaul ... if you did i just would like a character summary of salim . -- Posted by HoLListerInc at 3:57 pm on Dec. 10, 2004 The novel, A Bend in the River, centers on Salim, a Muslim of an Indian family who has lives in coastal towns. Salim himself is not really a smart man, not intellectual at all. It takes place in an unnamed east coastal African country. The topic, which I’m going to handle, is about the comparison of Salim’s view of “The Big Man” contrasting with Naipaul’s view of Mobutu in “A New King for the Congo”. The Big Man is the country’s new elite. He is a raw, fearful, and greedy man. He rules by rhetorical devices, and sorcery. The Big man is the president for life. Many things are changing in the country. Big buildings are being built; young one’s are admitted to new schools and universities; the street thugs are all enrolled in the army. It’s like if The Big Man is making a difference there. Many things are changing, even to the point where the tribes are fading away, the social classes that are dismembering from society. People living there are also losing most of their self-assurance. They even listen to 3-hour lectures from The Big Man on radio. thats all i could find....search on the internet for more info...ask jeeves and such..good luck. -- Posted by purplebeans at 4:22 pm on Dec. 10, 2004 thanx -- Posted by aves1974 at 2:13 pm on Dec. 13, 2004 This link may be able to help you: http://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&;UID=7260