Introduction
The autobiographical novel Lucy was written by Jamaica Kincaid in 1990. The author, who was born in 1949 on the Caribbean island of Antigua, is one of the representative figures of postcolonial literature, which has been gaining prominence since the 1970s. With the apppearance of the work “The Empire Writes Back: Theory and Practice in Post-Colonial Literatures” written by Bill Ashcroft, Gareth Griffiths, and Helen Tiffin in 1989 the popularity of the term “Postcolonialism” grew even more. The definition of the term is still widely discussed but in general postcolonial literature deals with the effects of colonization on the colonized people and society after the end of colonization.
The term “post” indicates that Postcolonialism is relating to the time following the establishment of independence in a colony. That means, the time after the colonial powers have left the country and the time of colonization is over. Nevertheless, the issues of Postcolonialism are so many-sided that they often transcend a
strict definition of the term, which is therefore used much more loosly in practice. Postcolonial themes not only discuss the period after the departure of the imperial powers but also deal with the time before independence.
Major issues are the oppression of the indigenous people by the imperial powers, the gaining of independence, the impact of colonization on postcolonial history and culture, the search
for personal and national identity but also the economic dependency of the postcolony on its former colonizers.
Thus some critics even question the term Postcolonialsm, since it indicates that the period when the colony was dependent on its colonizers is over. They argue that most former colonies are still or even again economically dependent on the mother country that colonized them. Those neocolonial forms of oppression and exploitation are probably caused by globalization, which means by the increasing mobility of goods, services, labour, technology
and capital throughout the world.
[...]
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The Autobiographical Background to the Novel
- 3. Cultural Location
- 3.1. The Cultural Location of the Novel
- 3.2. The Cultural Location of the Character
- 4. The Theme of Identity
- 4.1. The Search for Identity as Personal Autonomy
- 4.2. The Dominating Forces
- 4.3. The Hybridization of Lucy
- 5. The Mother-Daughter Relationship
- 5.1. The Role of Women in the Caribbean
- 5.2. The Notion of Home
- 5.3. The Connection of Mother and Motherland
- 5.4. The Different Mother Figures in Lucy
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This work aims to examine how the protagonist, Lucy, reinvents herself in Jamaica Kincaid's novel, Lucy. It analyzes Lucy's journey through the lens of postcolonial theory, exploring the impact of cultural displacement and the complexities of identity formation within a mother-daughter relationship shaped by colonial history.
- Reinvention of Self
- Cultural Displacement and Identity
- The Mother-Daughter Dynamic
- Postcolonial Identity and Hybridity
- The Impact of Colonial Legacy
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces Jamaica Kincaid's Lucy, situating it within the context of postcolonial literature and highlighting the novel's autobiographical elements. It establishes the central focus on Lucy's self-reinvention and previews the key themes that will be explored, namely the impact of cultural location, identity formation, and the complex mother-daughter relationship. The chapter also briefly defines postcolonialism and its relevance to the novel's themes.
2. The Autobiographical Background to the Novel: This chapter draws parallels between the author's life and the experiences of the protagonist in the novel, establishing the autobiographical foundation of Lucy. It details Kincaid's experiences as a young au pair in the United States, highlighting the socio-economic factors that led to her emigration from Antigua. The chapter also explores the strained relationship with her father and her complex relationship with her mother, setting the stage for understanding Lucy's journey and her search for identity.
3. Cultural Location: This chapter explores the cultural context of the novel, analyzing both the cultural setting of the story (Antigua and the United States) and its impact on the character's development. The chapter examines how the contrasting cultural environments shape Lucy's experiences and contribute to her identity crisis. By comparing Antigua's colonial past and the American cultural landscape, the chapter lays the groundwork for understanding Lucy's struggle to reconcile her heritage with her present circumstances.
4. The Theme of Identity: This chapter delves into the central theme of identity in the novel, examining Lucy's search for personal autonomy and the forces that shape her self-perception. It discusses concepts of hybridity and in-betweenness, exploring how Lucy negotiates her multiple identities as a Caribbean woman in a foreign land. The chapter analyzes the conflicting influences that impact her identity formation, including her relationship with her mother and the broader socio-political landscape.
5. The Mother-Daughter Relationship: This chapter focuses on the complex and often fraught relationship between Lucy and her mother. It explores the role of women in Caribbean society and the impact of colonialism on their lives. The chapter analyzes the notion of "home" and its connection to both the mother and the motherland, examining how Lucy's relationship with her mother shapes her understanding of her own identity and her place in the world. The chapter also discusses the different maternal figures in Lucy’s life and their individual impact on her development.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Postcolonial literature, identity formation, mother-daughter relationship, cultural displacement, hybridity, Caribbean literature, Jamaica Kincaid, Lucy, autobiography, emigration, colonialism, self-reinvention.
Frequently Asked Questions: Jamaica Kincaid's *Lucy*
What is this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of Jamaica Kincaid's novel, Lucy. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords, intended for academic analysis of the novel's themes.
What are the main themes explored in *Lucy*?
The key themes in Lucy explored in this document include the protagonist's reinvention of self, cultural displacement and its impact on identity formation, the complex mother-daughter dynamic, postcolonial identity and hybridity, and the lasting impact of the colonial legacy.
What is the novel's focus?
The central focus of Lucy, as analyzed here, is on the protagonist, Lucy's, journey of self-reinvention. The novel examines how her experiences of cultural displacement and her complex relationship with her mother shape her identity within a postcolonial context.
What is the autobiographical element in *Lucy*?
The document highlights the autobiographical elements woven into the novel. It draws parallels between Jamaica Kincaid's life experiences (such as her time as an au pair in the US and her strained relationship with her mother) and the experiences of the protagonist, Lucy.
How does the novel explore cultural location?
The analysis examines the cultural context of Lucy by exploring both Antigua (Lucy's homeland) and the United States (where she lives as an au pair). The contrasting cultural environments and their impact on Lucy's experiences and identity crisis are key aspects of the analysis.
What is the role of the mother-daughter relationship in the novel?
The complex and often difficult mother-daughter relationship is a central theme. The analysis explores the role of women in Caribbean society, the impact of colonialism on their lives, the notion of "home," and how Lucy's relationship with her mother shapes her understanding of her own identity.
How does the novel relate to postcolonial theory?
The document analyzes Lucy through the lens of postcolonial theory, examining the impact of cultural displacement, the complexities of identity formation within a postcolonial context, and how colonial history continues to influence the characters' lives.
What are the key concepts discussed in the analysis of *Lucy*?
Key concepts include postcolonial literature, identity formation, the mother-daughter relationship, cultural displacement, hybridity, Caribbean literature, emigration, colonialism, and self-reinvention.
What are the chapter summaries provided?
The document provides summaries for each chapter, outlining the key points and arguments presented in each section. These summaries cover the introduction, the autobiographical background, cultural location, the theme of identity, and the mother-daughter relationship.
What are the objectives of this analysis?
The main objective is to examine how Lucy reinvents herself within the context of postcolonial theory, focusing on the impact of cultural displacement and the complexities of her identity formation within her relationship with her mother.
- Citation du texte
- Nadine Röpke (Auteur), 2004, A Character in Transition: The Theme of Reinventing One's Self in Jamaica Kincaid's Work "Lucy", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/57448
