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?
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Character Analysis of Selina Davis
2.1 Main character traits
2.2 Selina’s behaviour in interaction with her environment
3. Adapting vs. rebellion: The psychological development of Selina Davis
3.1 Outline of the protagonist’s psychological development
3.1.1 Anticipations and prophecies
3.1.2 Prejudices as self-fulfilling prophecies
3.1.3 Weather, nature and the house as mirrors of the inner state
3.1.4 Other characters and their meaning
3.1.5 Adapting vs. rebellion
3.2 Title, ending and point of the story
3.3 General Discussion: Adapting vs. rebellion
4. Conclusion: Is Selina’s final solution convincing?
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper explores the psychological development of the Caribbean immigrant Selina Davis in Jean Rhys's short story "Let them Call it Jazz," specifically focusing on her internal struggles to maintain identity while navigating the pressures of assimilation in a foreign, often hostile, industrial environment.
- The impact of migration on individual identity and cultural belonging.
- The psychological effects of discrimination, loneliness, and societal prejudice.
- The duality of adapting versus rebelling against established social structures.
- The role of emotional regulation and self-confidence in overcoming adversity.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Main character traits
The protagonist of the story is a young female Caribbean immigrant called Selina Davis. She has a white father and a coloured mother. She didn’t get to know neither her father nor her mother properly. The former she has seen only once when being small and the latter went to Venezuela when Selina was three or four years old. The little girl grew up with her grandmother who saved the money Selina’s mother was sending her. This way, Selina was able to come to England. Thus, at the time the story is set, she lives in London. At the beginning of the story, she is jobless. Consequently, she has not much money left. Her talent is sewing and she intends to find a job in London.
Selina is a rather indecisive and weak person. As, for example, she decides several times to leave the flat, but stays there instead: ‘I think I go but I don’t go. Instead I wait for the evening and the wine and that’s all.’ Later, she states:
…I don’t want to wait till Wednesday, much less Saturday. I want to get out of that house double quick and with no delay. […] All the week I stay in the flat. Only once I go out and arrange for bread, milk and eggs…
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the historical context of Caribbean migration to the UK and sets the research focus on Selina Davis’s identity crisis.
2. Character Analysis of Selina Davis: This chapter examines the protagonist's personality, highlighting her initial passivity, loneliness, and her complex interactions with her environment.
3. Adapting vs. rebellion: The psychological development of Selina Davis: This central chapter explores the psychological shifts in the protagonist, interpreting symbols and metaphors to trace her transition toward personal growth.
4. Conclusion: Is Selina’s final solution convincing?: The conclusion reflects on the effectiveness of Selina’s coping mechanisms and evaluates the overall trajectory of her development at the end of the story.
Keywords
Selina Davis, Jean Rhys, Let them Call it Jazz, Caribbean immigrant, identity, migration, psychological development, adaptation, rebellion, London, cultural clash, loneliness, self-confidence, integration, post-colonial literature.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the psychological development and inner growth of the protagonist, Selina Davis, in Jean Rhys's short story.
What are the primary themes discussed in this work?
The study focuses on the challenges of immigrant identity, the impact of discrimination, the conflict between adapting and rebelling, and the psychological effects of a hostile social environment.
What is the ultimate research objective?
The objective is to understand how Selina navigates her integration problems and to evaluate the viability of her personal development throughout the narrative.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The author employs literary analysis combined with psychological concepts to interpret the protagonist's growth, including the analysis of symbols and metaphors.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers a detailed character analysis, an outline of psychological changes, and a critical interpretation of the story's symbols and plot points.
Which keywords define this study?
Key terms include Caribbean immigration, identity formation, cultural adaptation, psychological development, and colonial/post-colonial short stories.
How does the author describe Selina's initial state of mind?
Selina is portrayed as a passive, indecisive, and lonely character who struggles with low self-confidence and a lack of direction.
What role does the environment play in Selina's psychological state?
The environment, particularly her flat in London, serves as a mirror for her loneliness and as a source of conflict that triggers her emotional responses.
How is the relationship with Mr. Sims significant?
Mr. Sims is analyzed as an exception in Selina's hostile environment, highlighting her vulnerability and the complex influence of his character on her development.
- Citation du texte
- Daria Eva Stanco (Auteur), 2006, Adapting vs. Rebellion - Caribbean Flair Meets Industrialized Society, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/88418
