Jamaica Kincaid
original site:
http://www.reno.quik.com/kenm/jam~1.htm
Background
Author Jamaica Kincaid was
born in 1949 on the island of Antigua. Then, Elaine Potter Richardson,
left the island for New York in 1965, and changed her name in 1973 when
her first articles were published. When asked why she did not change her
name to an African name, Kincaid replied "the connection I have to Africa
is the color of my skin and that doesn't seem enough to have changed it
to an African name." As for her new name, "Jamaica is an English corruption
of what Columbus called Xaymaca." This renaming is a theme in Kincaids
works both fiction and non-fiction. According to Kincaid, renaming is a
metaphor for conquest and colonial domination. Reading her work A Small
Place one can learn of the history of Antigua, and how the natives
really feel about tourists. Kincaid points out all of the beautiful sites
on Antigua that the tourist will see like the waters, sunsets, and skies.
In extreme contrast though Kincaid also points out the corrupt government,
brokedown schoolhouse, and makeshift hospital that the tourist does not
see. It is very clear from her works that Kincaid feels strongly against
colonialism, development, and industry, on her home island of Antigua,
and would much rather see the natives be left alone to their customs.
Antigua
Antigua is a nine-by-twelve-mile
island in the British West Indies. The natural beauty of the island is
spectacular and behind the beautiful landscape is breathtaking. Breathtaking,
as in, it will take your breath away when you hear of the horrible things
that go on behind the tourist scene. Most of the population on Antigua
is poor, and the education is almost non-existant. As companies come in
and build, the island becomes even more and more corrupt, and further away
from the beautiful, natural place that it once was.
Sam Walton
Table of Contents
Last updated by Ken Morin on 12/12/97