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“Waiting for the Barbarians”  Analyzes on “Waiting for the
Barbarians” The main character in the story of Waiting for the
Barbarians is the magistrate who for years has governed an
unnamed colonial frontier, living among the native peoples but
not living with them. He governed generously and judiciously. He
says, “Of course one cannot be sure. But even if they are lying,
how can they be of use to you, simple people like that?” when he
sees Colonel Joll wants to question these barbarians (4). He was
comfortable in his role as magistrate and the native peoples of
the area had learned to adapt to him. However, with the arrival
of Colonel Joll at the beginning of the novel, all this begins
to change: not only is the magistrate's position and authority
damaged, he is also forced to begin viewing himself and his
world in radically different ways. Gradually the magistrate
begins to see what he had not been able or willing to see
before: the peoples he had lon