Making Sense of the Mumbo Jumbo
The surprise narrative at the end of Mumbo Jumbo, which feels like an entirely new book, quickly stood out as its most entertaining act.
At first, the novel feels like a jumble of random ideas thrown together, or, as the title suggests, pure mumbo jumbo. But in the two Chapter 52s, everything suddenly clicks into place. These chapters elegantly accomplish three things at once:
1. They wrap up the detective plot
These chapters finally explain what Jes Grew is through its origin in Osiris’s dancing and what the mysterious text really is: the Book of Thoth, containing instructions for Osiris’s various techniques. They answer the very questions that have lingered in readers’ minds since the chaotic beginning of the novel.
2. They weave the narrative with mythology and history
Instead of simply giving us answers, the chapters take us on a mythic journey through LaBas’s retelling of Jes Grew’s history, from Osiris and Set, to Moses and the Knights Templar, and back to the modern detective story and the rediscovery of the text (or at least what we thought was the text).
Reed doesn’t lose his trademark absurdity here. His storytelling still feels wild and ridiculous to anyone who hasn’t kept up, but beneath that surface chaos, he stitches together his satire. He relentlessly pokes fun at monotheistic religions, even framing them as descendants of the original Egyptian conflict between Set and Osiris. Reed flexes his power as author, weaving myth and history so casually that he explains Western bullfighting as a result of Set's hatred for Osiris with a straight face. He dares readers to say, “You can’t just make these claims without evidence!” In doing so, he exposes the hypocrisies buried in Western narratives of truth and legitimacy.
3. They reveal the larger purpose of Jes Grew
Finally, these chapters show that Jes Grew isn’t a one-time outbreak, it’s an ongoing movement. The book isn’t just about one historical conflict, but about the eternal battle between Osiris and Set, Atonists and Jes Grew, freedom and oppression. Reed uses the pendulum of time to show how the energy of Jes Grew resurfaces across eras, including his own, and, as we’ve discussed in class, that struggle continues even now.
Nice blog Kyle! I think I understand these parts of the book much more after reading your blog. I like your breakdown of both Chapter 52's being really clear and in depth at the same time. I think your description of the shift from "pure mumbo jumbo" to it "clicking in place" is the best way to describe the roller coaster that is reading this book. I also like your thought on how Reed is daring readers to challenge the truth spewed by the book, as it shows his "meta-commentary" in his storytelling.
ReplyDeleteThis is a nice summation of the true scope of Reed's ambition in these chapters: it really is a remarkable task to set for himself, amid an already wild narrative ride, to get the reader to settle down and follow a 30-page frame narrative that traces pretty much all of world history to the 1920s from ancient Egypt. As you say, this probably *shouldn't* work, by all logic, but it works surprisingly well. This frame narrative can't function on its own, however--a reader who was just plunged in to LaBas talking about Set and Osiris would be totally baffled, and it's pretty funny to imagine all these people at "Villa Lewaro" just standing there listening to this story for like two hours. But for readers of the novel, perhaps partly *because* this narrative also ties up all the "loose ends" in the surface-level plot (the solution to the mystery!), it has the effect of everything clicking into place. We need the confusing and ambiguous context of the latest Jes Grew outbreak in order to be able to "recognize" Jes Grew in Osiris's dances--we need to care about what this "Text" is all about BEFORE we see Thoth serving as the "first choreographer" and writing it all down. But we also need some kind of explanation as to what these Wallflower Order and Atonist guys are all so upset about--and in this framed narrative we get a quite detailed account of what THEY mean when they say that "Civilization as We Know It" is at stake in this conflict. I can testify, from years of experience leading students on this wild ride, that often people come to class on the day after chaps. 52 are assigned with a much clearer sense of what this book is up to--and as a historical framework, it's easy to apply the foundational structures to the post-1920s context. Our discussions about the "current state of Jes Grew" are surely strengthened by the class's experience navigating these chapters.
ReplyDeleteHi Kyle. I really liked your description of both chapter 52's. The way you described your understanding of the true meaning makes complete sense, and actually makes it easier to understand. I liked your sentence highlighting the chapters "clicking into place." It seems like a very good way to describe what exacly was going on, when it seemed most of us in class were very unsure or uncertain.
ReplyDeleteHey Kyle, I agree with with your point about how the final chapters make everything “click.” The sudden clarity after so much chaos really highlights Reed’s genius, how he turns confusion into revelation. I also liked what you said about the blend of myth and history; it’s wild but intentional, and that mix made me appreciate how Reed challenges what we call “truth.”
ReplyDeleteI agree with how you mention chapters 52 make everything make sense. I think some of this comes from the fact it is slightly easier to read due to the linear plot. And although sometimes it was absurdist, and it did follow some mythological cliches, I am mostly thinking of Moses tricking the man (I forget his name) into giving him the songs.
ReplyDeleteGood evening Mr. F, you made an insightful summarization of Reeds ambition on what he wished to convey when discussing his concept of Jes Grew and I believed that you effectively summarized his goals and this blog could be a good guide for those wishing to make an essay on Mumbo Jumbo.
ReplyDeletehi kyle! I think your break down of Mumbo Jumbo is extremely helpful and very accurate. I honestly wasnt sure the significance of the two 52 chapters, I had brainstormed a bit but I really like your explanation for them. The way this book is structured is so interesting and at times chaotic. I like how you highlighted its structure very simply, like the flow of the plot and the language you used like "clicking into place". great blog!
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