Kaliel September is an oarsman who works for Mr. Benn and who takes Benjamin under his wing after Mr. Benn initially rejects Benjamin for a job. Kaliel is full of ingenuity, building a home out of pieces of boats from around the world and finding many other sources of income to supplement his meager pay from Mr. Benn. He helps Benjamin learn how to make his own way in the world.
Kaliel September Quotes in Fiela’s Child
The Fiela’s Child quotes below are all either spoken by Kaliel September or refer to Kaliel September. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 23
Quotes
‘I am an oarsman too. But I can’t live on what John Benn’s paying. I make a bit of extra on my own. I had to get rid of some of my customers because I only have two hands.’
Related Characters:
Kaliel September (speaker), Benjamin, Mr. Benn
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
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Kaliel September Character Timeline in Fiela’s Child
The timeline below shows where the character Kaliel September appears in Fiela’s Child. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 22
...responsibility of finding out who the ship belongs to. The sergeant also warns Benjamin about Kaliel September, a beachcomber who can be dangerous. Benjamin helps the sergeant keep watch that night,...
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Chapter 23
...such a bad mood because Mr. Benn actually does need a new rower to replace Kaliel September on his pilot-boat.
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...oysters and fish. The boatman tells Benjamin a little about himself: he is in fact Kaliel September, so Benjamin would be replacing him. Kaliel is waiting for a boat to come...
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Kaliel September’s mother was “Coloured” and his father was Norwegian. He feels that he has the...
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Benjamin is impressed as Kaliel September shows him around the area and points out his house, which is small but...
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Kaliel September leads Benjamin around for three days, showing him his new responsibilities. Kaliel complains that...
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Reluctantly, Benjamin helps Kaliel September set some blue-buck traps. Benjamin remains determined to get a job on a ship,...
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Benjamin wants to go back to check on Nina at Miss Weatherbury’s. Kaliel September accuses him of running back to the Forest. He warns Benjamin that Nina should...
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Chapter 25
Benjamin continues working long hours for Kaliel September. Kaliel instructs Benjamin in rowing and in other ways of the sea. Benjamin learns...
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April and May pass, and eventually it’s June. One day, Kaliel September tells Benjamin that he just saw someone who looked like Nina around the area...
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...talks about it with Mr. Benn. Mr. Benn needs an oarsman right away, and since Kaliel September apparently went into town to visit his mother for her birthday without first seeking...
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Benjamin thinks he can use Kaliel September’s absence to somehow get on a boat, but then Kaliel himself shows up, dashing...
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Chapter 26
...back to Long Kloof, not entirely sure why he’s going. He would’ve left sooner, but Kaliel September kept him busy. A ship came by that Kaliel believed was there to destroy...
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Chapter 27
...happy to have Benjamin back, they avoid discussing certain topics like the van Rooyens and Kaliel September.
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Chapter 29
...later, Mr. Benn gives Benjamin a position on the crew of his pilot boat, since Kaliel September is gone. Book is one of the sailors in charge of teaching Benjamin to...
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Soon after, Kaliel September suddenly comes back, looking sickly. Benjamin breaks the news to Mr. Benn that he...
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Chapter 32
...Komoetie, which isn’t a new name but his old one. He says he’ll help until Kaliel September feels well enough to rejoin the crew. Mr. Benn says his name is a...
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