It was in the aftermath of the Second World War when a bulk of Caribbean immigrants came to the UK. In 1948, a ship called “Empire Windrush” brought the first men to cover the need of industry workers. Later, their families followed. The immigrants’ hopes, however, were mostly destroyed by discrimination and prejudices. That leads me to the question whether there is a way out of an aggressive clash of cultures due to immigration. Actually, both adapting and integration may be good solutions. But how much of one’s identity does one have to give up by adapting oneself to a completely different culture? At the same time, is it possible to adapt oneself and remain one’s old self? The story “Let them Call it Jazz” by Jean Rhys raises these questions. In brief, it is a story about a young Caribbean immigrant called Selina whose different cultural background makes it difficult for her to cope with the problems of her new environment. She is not able to find a job, looses her apartment, feels often misunderstood and finally ends up in jail.
By trying to understand the inner development of Selina the reader will get a notion of how difficult it is to find its own identity in a foreign country. This paper presents her psychological changes embedded in the context of her environment. First of all, the character of the protagonist of the story will be analyzed. In the third paragraph, an outline of her psychological development throughout the course of the story will be given. In this chapter, also the meaning of the title and the point of the story will be explained. Finally, the quest of a middle course between adapting and rebellion will be explored in a more general context. In a final conclusion, I will try to give a satisfactory answer to several crucial questions of this paper. Is Selina’s way of coping with integration problems a right way? What can the reader learn from the end of the story? Is it a good end or a bad one, especially for Selina herself?
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Character Analysis of Selina Davis
- Main character traits
- Selina's behaviour in interaction with her environment
- Adapting vs. rebellion: The psychological development of Selina Davis
- Outline of the protagonist's psychological development
- Anticipations and prophecies
- Prejudices as self-fulfilling prophecies
- Weather, nature and the house as mirrors of the inner state
- Other characters and their meaning
- Adapting vs. rebellion
- Outline of the protagonist's psychological development
- Title, ending and point of the story
- General Discussion: Adapting vs. rebellion
- Conclusion: Is Selina's final solution convincing?
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the psychological development of Selina Davis, a young Caribbean immigrant, in Jean Rhys' short story "Let them Call it Jazz." The paper aims to explore how Selina's cultural background and experiences in London impact her identity formation and coping mechanisms in a foreign environment. It focuses on Selina's struggle to navigate a hostile environment and find her place within a new culture.
- The challenges of immigration and cultural integration.
- The impact of prejudice and discrimination on an individual's identity.
- The psychological effects of adapting to a new culture.
- The role of environment in shaping an individual's personality.
- The interplay between individual agency and societal pressures.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This section introduces the context of Caribbean immigration to the UK after World War II and highlights the challenges faced by immigrants due to discrimination and prejudices. It establishes the central question of the paper: how does one maintain one's identity while adapting to a new culture? The author argues that "Let them Call it Jazz" by Jean Rhys explores these questions through the story of Selina Davis, a young Caribbean immigrant struggling in London.
- Character Analysis of Selina Davis: This chapter focuses on Selina's personality traits and her behavior in interaction with her environment. The author describes Selina as a passive and indecisive individual who struggles with loneliness and financial instability. She is portrayed as someone who often feels misunderstood and marginalized within London society.
- Adapting vs. Rebellion: The Psychological Development of Selina Davis: This section delves into Selina's psychological development throughout the story, exploring how her experiences shape her responses to her new surroundings. It analyzes how Selina's interactions with her environment and the people around her influence her self-perception and coping mechanisms. The author examines the themes of anticipation, prejudices, and the role of nature and other characters in reflecting Selina's inner state.
- Title, ending and point of the story: This chapter explores the significance of the story's title, "Let them Call it Jazz," in relation to the themes of adaptation and rebellion. It analyzes how the title reflects Selina's struggle to find her voice and express her individuality within a society that often silences her. The author also discusses the ending of the story and its implications for Selina's future.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key themes and concepts explored in this paper are immigration, cultural integration, prejudice, discrimination, identity formation, psychological development, adaptation, rebellion, and societal pressures. It examines the experiences of a young Caribbean immigrant in London, analyzing her struggles with assimilation, her attempts to navigate a hostile environment, and her search for a sense of belonging.
- Quote paper
- Daria Eva Stanco (Author), 2006, Adapting vs. Rebellion - Caribbean Flair Meets Industrialized Society, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/88418