After attending the seminar West Indian Slavery in fiction I realized how little I knew about that cruel episode of history. The third novel we discussed named The Long Song by Andrea Levy was the most impressive to me and made me especially aware of the lack of knowledge I had about the alleged liberators of the slaves in the West Indies. After the first reading of The Long Song I thought the author uses the character of Robert Goodwin only to show how complex the issue of racism is and how even the ideology of abolitionism was undermined by segregation. But when we dealt with this topic in the seminar a discussion arose about how the meaning of the relationship towards July should be evaluated in that context. I could not comprehend in contrast to the other participants how the feelings Goodwin displays towards July can be interpreted as true love since I always had in mind how cold-heartedly he left her behind and even abducted the baby. At the end of the session I was neither convinced nor satisfied because if one accepts his feelings towards July as being true love, the question arouses what the author intended by portraying such a strange relationship. Therefore I want to try to take a closer look at this constellation in order to suggest a reason why Levy makes the new Overseer fall in love with the protagonist. More precisely I want to prove that the development of the character of Robert Goodwin and the experiences he collects within the novel make clear how a racist ideology has to fail in general. Furthermore in his case it is particularly shown how the social and economic restraints of his time destined the young man to fail.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Body
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the character development of Robert Goodwin in Andrea Levy's The Long Song, arguing that his experiences highlight the inherent flaws and ultimate failure of racist ideologies, particularly within the context of post-abolition West Indies. The analysis will explore how social and economic constraints contributed to Goodwin's downfall.
- The failure of racist ideologies in the post-abolition era.
- The complexities of love and relationships in a racially charged environment.
- The role of social and economic constraints in shaping individual destinies.
- The hypocrisy and inherent contradictions within abolitionist movements.
- The lasting impact of slavery and its legacy on individual psychology and society.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section sets the stage for the analysis by outlining the author's personal experience with the novel The Long Song and his resulting interest in exploring the complex character of Robert Goodwin. It establishes the central question: how can Goodwin's relationship with July be interpreted given his apparent racist beliefs and actions? The author clearly states his intention to demonstrate how the development of Goodwin's character reveals the inherent failures of a racist ideology within the socio-economic context of post-abolition Jamaica. This introduction efficiently lays the groundwork for the subsequent analysis and arguments that will be presented.
Body: This section delves into the historical context of slavery and racism, tracing the philosophical justifications for slavery from ancient Greece (Socrates and Aristotle) to the 18th-century classification of human beings by Carl Linnaeus. It then introduces Robert Goodwin's character, highlighting his initial condemnation of slavery alongside the underlying racist beliefs revealed in his interactions and speeches. The author analyzes Goodwin's seemingly contradictory behavior, contrasting his public pronouncements on the supposed inferiority of the African race with his genuine attraction to and respectful interactions with July. The central point is the demonstration of how Goodwin's actions and beliefs ultimately demonstrate the failings of a racist ideology. The section lays a strong groundwork to explore the complexities and nuances of his character.
Keywords
West Indian slavery, The Long Song, Andrea Levy, Robert Goodwin, racism, abolitionism, post-abolition society, social constraints, economic constraints, interracial relationships, character analysis, ideological failure.
Andrea Levy's *The Long Song*: A Character Analysis of Robert Goodwin - FAQ
What is this document?
This is a comprehensive language preview providing an overview of a paper analyzing the character of Robert Goodwin in Andrea Levy's novel, The Long Song. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the main objectives and themes of the paper?
The paper aims to analyze Robert Goodwin's character development, arguing that his experiences expose the flaws and ultimate failure of racist ideologies in post-abolition West Indies. Key themes include the failure of racist ideologies, complexities of interracial relationships, the impact of social and economic constraints, hypocrisy within abolitionist movements, and the lasting legacy of slavery.
What is covered in the introduction?
The introduction sets the stage by outlining the author's personal engagement with The Long Song and his interest in Goodwin's character. It establishes the central question of interpreting Goodwin's relationship with July considering his apparent racist beliefs and actions. It clearly states the intention to demonstrate how Goodwin's character reveals the failings of racist ideology within the socio-economic context of post-abolition Jamaica.
What does the body of the paper discuss?
The body section explores the historical context of slavery and racism, tracing its philosophical justifications from ancient Greece to 18th-century classifications. It introduces Robert Goodwin, highlighting his contradictory behavior: his condemnation of slavery alongside his underlying racist beliefs. The analysis focuses on how Goodwin's actions and beliefs ultimately demonstrate the failure of a racist ideology, exploring the complexities and nuances of his character.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include: West Indian slavery, The Long Song, Andrea Levy, Robert Goodwin, racism, abolitionism, post-abolition society, social constraints, economic constraints, interracial relationships, character analysis, ideological failure.
What is the overall argument of the paper?
The paper argues that Robert Goodwin's character arc in The Long Song serves as a powerful illustration of the inherent contradictions and ultimate failure of racist ideologies within the complex social and economic context of post-abolition Jamaica.
What is the significance of Robert Goodwin's character?
Robert Goodwin's character is significant because his internal conflicts and actions reveal the inconsistencies and ultimate failings of a system built on racist beliefs. His journey allows for a nuanced examination of the complexities of racism and its impact on individuals and society.
- Citar trabajo
- Lutz Reuter (Autor), 2011, Destined to fail - about "The Long Song" of Andrea Levy, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/195087
