Kingdom of This World Chapter Summaries:
Part 1: The Hurricane
1. The Tiger:
The story begins in 1791, during the Haitian Revolution. A freed slave, Ti Noel, is struck by lightning during a hurricane, causing him to see visions and be visited by the Devil. He becomes a powerful sorcerer and is named "The Tiger."
2. The Sorcerer:
Ti Noel, now The Tiger, uses his powers to aid the rebellion. He manipulates events, influencing the French governor and turning the tide of the war. He believes he is fighting for the liberation of the enslaved people.
3. The Governor:
The French governor, a devout Catholic, sees Ti Noel's magic as demonic. He tries to suppress the rebellion and capture The Tiger, but his efforts are futile. He is increasingly paranoid and loses control of the situation.
4. The General:
The rebellion leader, General Toussaint Louverture, fights alongside Ti Noel. However, Toussaint is a pragmatic leader, distrustful of The Tiger's magic and wary of its consequences. He aims for a more stable and organized revolution.
5. The Voodoo:
The Tiger encounters a powerful voodoo priestess, Marie Laveau. They clash over their opposing views on using magic for power and freedom. Laveau warns him about the dangers of his path.
6. The Ceremony:
The Tiger, in his hubris, performs a ceremony to control the spirits of the dead and further his power. This act unleashes unforeseen consequences and a darkness he cannot control.
Part 2: The General
7. The Victory:
The rebellion, led by Toussaint, achieves victory over the French. Toussaint, as a pragmatic leader, declares himself governor and sets out to rebuild the island.
8. The Governor:
Toussaint struggles with the challenges of governing. He attempts to create a stable society but faces resistance from both the white elite and the black population, who see him as a puppet of France.
9. The King:
Toussaint, in his ambition, declares himself King of Haiti. However, his actions alienate his supporters and lead to his eventual betrayal and imprisonment by the French.
10. The Queen:
Toussaint's wife, Suzanne, attempts to maintain order and stability in his absence. She navigates political complexities and strives to protect her family and her people.
11. The Exile:
Toussaint is exiled to France, where he dies under suspicious circumstances. His death marks the end of his reign and the beginning of a new era in Haitian history.
Part 3: The Earthquake
12. The Emperor:
Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Toussaint's former lieutenant, takes power after his death. He declares Haiti independent and establishes himself as Emperor.
13. The Massacre:
Dessalines, fueled by vengeance and paranoia, orchestrates a massacre of the white population in Haiti. His actions create a climate of fear and violence that further destabilizes the island.
14. The King of This World:
Dessalines, becoming increasingly tyrannical, is eventually assassinated. His death leaves Haiti in chaos and disarray.
15. The Earthquake:
A devastating earthquake strikes Haiti, a literal manifestation of the spiritual turmoil caused by the violence and corruption of the past. The story ends with a sense of hope for a future where Haiti can rebuild and find peace.
This is a condensed overview of the chapters. The novel explores themes of power, freedom, religion, and the consequences of ambition. It portrays the Haitian Revolution as a complex and multifaceted event, with both heroic and tragic figures.