Paradise

“With his refined airs and his polite, impassive manner, he looked more like a man on a late afternoon stroll or a worshipper on the way to evening prayers than a merchant who had picked his way past bushes of thorn and nests of vipers spitting poison.”

The characterization of Uncle Aziz suggests that he is above the everyday hardships that others must endure or perhaps that he can control himself and his reactions so well that he seems unflappable. When he does eventually show wear or concern, it is notable and highlights an important concern.

“Washenzi, who have no faith in God and who worship spirits and demons which live in trees and rocks. They like nothing better than to kidnap little children and make use of them as they wish.”

It is ironic that Yusuf’s father denigrates the Washenzi (Bantu) people in this way, because he is about to sell his own son as a rehani to pay off his debts. His insular and close-minded opinions of people with different religious practices is common throughout the book, with various characters calling the native peoples slurs. 

“As for Uncle Aziz, for a start he ain’t your uncle.”

This line, which Yusuf repeats to himself throughout the book, is how Khalil introduces Yusuf to the hard reality of his being a rehani. Khalil advises him to call Aziz “seyyid” instead and to learn Arabic. Years later, Yusuf only calls him “uncle” again when he approaches him about leaving Marimbo’s town.