Initial Impressions of WFTB

At first while reading Waiting For the Barbarians, I noticed that most of the characters have a lack of names. I find this quite interesting, especially since I am so accustomed to recognizing characters by names. With this novel, I must recognize characters by their titles or characteristics. This is a unique way to write a novel, and it forces the reader to be much more absorbed in the way he or she reads.

Another aspect of the novel that stood out to me was the varying views of the barbarians, especially from the old Magistrate. At times the old Magistrate appears to be sympathetic with the barbarians, but at other times he does not show any respect and does not even view the barbarians as human. These differing views show the old Magistrate's uncertainty on his own views and characteristics; therefore, we have an afflicted character.