In this work I want to provide a brief overview of the literature development in the West Indies, especially in Jamaica. Therefore I will discuss the language and literature situation in Jamaica and talk about the author Mary Seacole as an example for a female Jamaican writer. A part of my work will be that I discuss the role of women and female characters in Jamaican literature. That is why I decided for Mary Seacole’s book “Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands”. At the end of this paper I want to give an outlook of Jamaican literature and the situation of black literature in the Caribbean.
The West Indies share the common experience of colonization, displacement, slavery, emancipation and nationalism this particular West Indian experience is part of the West Indian culture and of their arts. Even though slavery was abolished between 100 and 150 years ago, it lives on in the memories of the inhabitants of the Caribbean islands.
The experience of slavery led to cynicism and despair as well as to hope and positive thoughts which inspire the West Indian dream of individual freedom and collective independence. Those dreams are shared in the literature of the West Indies. A development of literature on the Caribbean islands first started in the 18th and 19th century. An explosion of it followed in the 1930s and the late 50s. Topics at this time were an anti-colonial perspective and a search for new definitions and values.
However the West Indian literature grew into new dimensions in the late 20th century. Caribbean writers dealt with historical, social and political adjustments on their islands, which were part of their own problems with identity and aesthetics. West Indian literature shows its variety in poetry, prose, fiction and drama. The poetry of the early 70ths was motivated by the Black Power movement and therefore radical and revolutionary. Back then and still nowadays the greatest influence of West Indian literature is the complementary relationship of oral and written traditions of the Caribbean inhabitants.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Short Introduction to West Indian Literature & Overview
- Brief History of Jamaican Literature
- Women & Female Characters in West Indian Literature
- An Example for Jamaican Female Writers - Mary Seacole's "Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands"
- Conclusion and Outlook
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper aims to provide a concise overview of West Indian literature, focusing specifically on Jamaica. It examines the development of Jamaican literature, considering the interplay of language (Standard Jamaican English and Jamaican Creole English, or Patwois), historical context (colonialism, slavery, emancipation), and the representation of women within this literary landscape. The work uses Mary Seacole as a case study to illustrate the contributions of Jamaican female writers.
- Development of West Indian Literature
- The Role of Language in Jamaican Literature
- Representation of Women in West Indian Literature
- Mary Seacole as a Case Study of Jamaican Female Writers
- The Interplay of Oral and Written Traditions
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Short Introduction to West Indian Literature & Overview: This chapter introduces the shared experiences of West Indian culture—colonization, displacement, slavery, emancipation, and nationalism—and how these experiences shape West Indian art and literature. It highlights the lasting impact of slavery on the Caribbean islands, fostering both cynicism and hope, fueling dreams of individual freedom and collective independence. The chapter traces the development of West Indian literature from its beginnings in the 18th and 19th centuries to its expansion in the 20th, noting the shift towards anti-colonial perspectives and the exploration of new identities and values. The chapter emphasizes the crucial role of the complementary relationship between oral and written traditions in shaping West Indian literature. It sets the stage for the following discussion of Jamaican literature and the role of women within it, using Mary Seacole's work as a focal point.
Brief History of Jamaican Literature: This chapter delves into the history of Jamaica, beginning with its discovery by Columbus and subsequent colonization by Spain and then England. It explains the significant impact of the transatlantic slave trade on the island's demographics and language development. The chapter traces the evolution of Jamaican Creole English (Patwois) from its pidgin origins, influenced by African tribal languages and Modern English. It discusses the cessation of the slave trade and its effect on language, noting the eventual dominance of Standard Jamaican English despite the continued cultural significance of Patwois. The chapter underscores the importance of understanding Jamaica's linguistic history to comprehend its literary history, and highlights the ongoing tension between using Standard English versus Patwois in Jamaican literature.
Women & Female Characters in West Indian Literature: This chapter explores the historical role of women in West Indian society and their representation in literature. It notes that while West Indian women were historically the keepers of oral traditions, their voices in written literature are more recent. The chapter points out that early representations of women in West Indian literature were often created by men. It highlights the crucial role of women in the perpetuation of the slave system by the European settlers through their ability to bear children who would become the labor force.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
West Indian literature, Jamaican literature, Jamaican Creole English (Patwois), colonialism, slavery, emancipation, nationalism, women writers, Mary Seacole, oral tradition, identity, language, cultural diversity.
FAQ: A Comprehensive Language Preview of West Indian Literature
What is the focus of this language preview?
This preview offers a concise overview of West Indian literature, with a specific emphasis on Jamaican literature. It examines the development of Jamaican literature, considering the interplay of language (Standard Jamaican English and Jamaican Creole English, or Patwois), historical context (colonialism, slavery, emancipation), and the representation of women within this literary landscape. Mary Seacole serves as a key case study to illustrate the contributions of Jamaican female writers.
What topics are covered in the preview?
The preview covers several key areas: a short introduction to West Indian literature and an overview; a brief history of Jamaican literature; the role of women and female characters in West Indian literature; a detailed look at Mary Seacole's "Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands" as an example of Jamaican female writing; and finally, a conclusion and outlook. The preview also explores the development of West Indian literature, the role of language (particularly Jamaican Creole English), the representation of women, and the interplay between oral and written traditions.
What are the key themes explored?
The key themes include the impact of colonialism, slavery, and emancipation on West Indian literature; the development and use of different languages (Standard Jamaican English and Jamaican Creole English); the representation and historical roles of women in West Indian society and literature; and the significance of oral traditions in shaping West Indian literary expression. The interplay between these themes is central to understanding the unique characteristics of West Indian literature.
What is the significance of Mary Seacole in this preview?
Mary Seacole's "Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands" serves as a significant case study. Her work exemplifies the contributions of Jamaican female writers and provides a valuable lens through which to examine the representation of women in Jamaican literature and the broader West Indian context.
How does language play a role in Jamaican literature?
The preview highlights the crucial role of language, specifically the tension between Standard Jamaican English and Jamaican Creole English (Patwois). It traces the historical development of Patwois, its origins, and its continued cultural significance despite the dominance of Standard English in formal writing. Understanding this linguistic landscape is essential to understanding Jamaican literature.
What is the relationship between oral and written traditions in West Indian literature?
The preview emphasizes the complementary relationship between oral and written traditions. It acknowledges that while written literature has its own trajectory, the oral tradition has significantly shaped the development and expression of West Indian literature, especially given the historical context of slavery and the prevalence of storytelling in the culture.
What is the overall objective of this language preview?
The primary objective is to provide a concise and informative overview of West Indian literature, focusing on Jamaica, its historical context, and the significant role of women writers. It aims to illuminate the key themes, literary developments, and linguistic features that characterize this unique body of literature.
What are the key chapters and their summaries?
The preview includes chapters summarizing the introduction to West Indian literature, the history of Jamaican literature, the representation of women, and Mary Seacole's work as a case study. Each chapter summary provides a concise overview of its contents and its contribution to the overall understanding of West Indian literature.
What are the keywords associated with this preview?
Keywords include West Indian literature, Jamaican literature, Jamaican Creole English (Patwois), colonialism, slavery, emancipation, nationalism, women writers, Mary Seacole, oral tradition, identity, language, and cultural diversity.
- Quote paper
- Friederike Börner (Author), 2014, A short introduction to West Indian Literature. Mary Seacole as an example for Jamaican Female Writers, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/321156
