Sea of Poppies

Once the Ibis is berthed and the lascars paid, many of the lascars disappear into Calcutta, some likely never to return. Jodu begins his work on the ship; as he’s a freshwater boatman, he is held in contempt by the ocean-going boatmen, something he anticipates. Even at night, he is forced to sleep on the deck. Jodu is not the only one treated poorly, and he befriends another outcast, Rajoo. Rajoo is a foretopman, though he hates heights, and Jodu wishes desperately to trade places with him.

Serang Ali, though respected by the crew, generally keeps himself apart from them. He is secretive about his background and origins; while not unusual among a ship’s crew, Ali’s story is particularly vague, as no one is even clear which continent he is from. Ali is particularly harsh toward Jodu, and it is suspected this is because of Jodu’s relationship with Paulette, as Ali has made it clear that he doesn’t want Zachary to fall for Paulette (or anyone else, for that matter); this is confirmed after a meeting with the three of them, after which Ali threatens Jodu if he tries to “hitch him to a bride” (187).