Caribbean Prose and Drama

1543 Words7 Pages
“From the equality of rights springs identity of our highest interests; you cannot subvert your neighbor's rights without striking a dangerous blow at your own.” Conjectures Carl Schurz. Identity is one of the issues that predominantly preoccupy many Caribbean writers. This can be seen in two short stories “THE TWO GRANDMOTHERS” by Olive Senior from The World of Prose and “BELLA MAKES LIFE” by Lorna Goodison also from The World of Prose. Caribbean identity is wrought by many factors. Firstly, through the rich unique culture that is common among Caribbean natives that get tarnished through the adaptations from other cultures. Secondly, the geographical location of the Caribbean and impact on the people. Thirdly, through the history and its contribution to the emergence of unique coherent characteristics displayed by Caribbean people that differentiate them from other nations. Firstly, the culture that existed in the Caribbean is that of indigenous nature that permeates the fabric of all that comes in contact with it especially those whose roots are embedded there. However, Goodison brings light to the fact that many of our people allow themselves to be overwhelmed by prejudice that in turn annihilate who they really are in an effort to scrounge other cultures particularly that of the Americans. In the short story “THE TWO GRANDMOTHERS” by Olive Senior we see the narrator speaking openly about her grandmothers whose perception on identity varies and her experience growing up. She is cognizant of the fact that her granddaughter is a Negro however, she treated her no less and openly shows acceptance for who she is constantly reminding her of how beautiful she was with her dark complexion. According to Derise Tolliver and Elizabeth J. Tisdell, cultural identity development can "help people withstand oppression and be motivated to support social transformation. In
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