The Jumbies

Balance between the mundane and magical worlds, as well as between the human and natural worlds, is a major theme in the novel. Magic has the ability to disturb or restore this balance, and this premise creates the novel’s central tension.

The white witch articulates this theme most clearly, first introducing it in her refusal to help Severine extend her human disguise in Chapter 5. Severine reminds the witch that “You did it before” (27)—hinting at the help she gave Nicole to maintain her human disguise. The witch responds, saying, “[that] was for the benefit of both sides” (27), implying that the Le Mer’s love and Corinne’s birth strengthened rather than disrupted the balance between humans and jumbies. This suggests that separation between humans and jumbies is not the only way to maintain this balance. The witch’s own background is not explored, but she states that, like Corinne La Mer, she is part jumbie. This gives the white witch insight that the other characters lack. In The Jumbies, balance stands for peace between the island’s jumbies and humans.

It is therefore significant that the white witch contradicts her statement by saving Corinne and her friends from drowning by Severine in Chapter 11: Severine sets up the white witch to betray her vow, tormenting the children because she knows the witch will feel compelled to help them.