Bim

Adult Bim, once a vagabond and small-time thief, rises to become a formidable union organizer and political figure for Indo-Trinidadians. His arc blends ruthless pragmatism with a longing for belonging and revenge for his father’s death. He navigates a corrupt underworld and volatile politics, using charisma and resolve to shape a new social order. His relationship with Anna anchors his humanity amid escalating conflict.

Young Bim grows up amid racial prejudice and violence in Caroni County, confronting bullying and exclusion. His stabbing of a classmate leads to expulsion and seeds of a life on the margins. A night in a cemetery marks a turning point that foreshadows his later transformation into a street-smart leader. The childhood experiences shape his resilience and distrust of authority.

Anna is Bim's childhood friend who becomes an adult ally, surviving in Port of Spain's underworld as a prostitute under coercive networks. She reconnects with Bim and provides crucial ties to the past and to Jalwat Singh. Their complicated relationship anchors Bim emotionally while he maneuvers through political and criminal landscapes.

As a child, Anna is Bim's close friend, sharing secrets and dreams before hardship reshapes their paths. Her later life in Port of Spain links back to Bim's memories and the choices that define both their futures. The young Anna embodies innocence amid a world that will test her.

Ria is Bim's sister, initially part of a family wedding with Ramdass. Her trajectory reflects the personal toll of political and social upheaval, and she eventually moves with her husband to Venezuela, leaving a lingering memory of family bonds and sacrifice.

Jalwat Singh is Bhagwan Singh’s relative who campaigns against Baba Charlie and navigates the panchayat to support Bim. He cautions that the struggle is not just personal but tied to independence and the community’s place in a changing nation.

The Captain is an Afro-Grenadian immigrant and smuggler who becomes an uneasy ally to Bim, offering streetwise insight and protection in Cedros’ clandestine networks. He serves as a bridge between lawless action and political intrigue, highlighting the island’s gray areas. His interactions with Bim reveal the limits of loyalty and the costs of survival.

Detective Jones is a corrupt officer paid off by Wabham, entangled in smuggling operations and political scheming. His presence showcases how law enforcement intersects with criminal power and the struggle for control in the lead-up to independence.

Ben Joseph is an Afro-Trinidadian political leader whose speeches frame the era’s racial politics and the push for broader political change. He stands in contrast to Bim’s vision, illustrating competing paths toward a post-colonial Trinidad and Tobago.