This essay will argue what is meant by the representation of the Other in the novels The Icarus Girl and Shadow Tag. The other is a representation of the questions surrounding identity that arise in these texts. The Icarus Girl focuses on the alternate identities of Jessamy Harrison and her struggle to find a fitting identity because of having a multi-national heritage. Shadow Tag takes a different approach to the question of identity, as Irene America attempts to escape her identity as a domestic abuse victim in the blue diary that she keeps hidden from her husband Gil. There is also the question about the identity of the narrative voice of the novel. Thus, this essay will examine how identity is portrayed in each novel. Firstly, the representation of the Other in The Icarus Girl is evident as Jessamy struggles to associate with one identity because of her mixed cultural ethnicity. It must be acknowledged that the fear of her identity from arises from the impact of post-colonialism, as the text illustrates how Jessamy is “haunted by the colonial experience and its aftermaths” (Mafe 23). The possibility of associating with her Nigerian heritage makes her uncomfortable because she is unfamiliar with everything that her heritage represents: “It was Nigeria. That was the problem” (Oyeyemi 9). In the scene when the Harrisons arrive at the airport in Lagos and Jess`s mother speaks the Yoruba language to the taxi driver, Jess struggles to comprehend any of the language being
In order for a book to satisfy the identity plot, it has to contain some elements: The narrative revolves around the question of how to define and understand a character's identity; the character must always be a member of a minority within a larger society; the character is at odds with the minority group of which she is a part; the character is conflicted about her differences from the minority
Exploring Identity in Literature: A Comparative Analysis Imagine living in a world where you are not recognized and respected for who you are. This is the reality for many Indigenous people who have faced centuries of assimilation. In this essay, I will compare and contrast two works of literature that explore the challenges and experiences of the Indigenous people: Indian Horse by Richard Wagemese and Borders by Thomas King. Indian Horse is a novel about an Indigenous boy named Saul, who survives the horrors of residential school. He finds an escape playing hockey, but his past haunts him which later leads him to alcoholism.
The unique culture in the novel shows a different role women had in society, a different symbolism for land and how wealth changed a person and his
In Greek mythology, Icarus is the son of the genius craftsman Daedalus. Daedalus had a number of successful projects under his name, including the construction of the astonishing Labyrinth used to imprison the mighty Minotaur, a half man, half bull creature. According to legend, the Labyrinth was so cunningly designed that Daedalus, himself, barely made it out after completion. While imprisoned on Crete with his son, Icarus, Daedalus constructed two pairs of wings which he would then use to escape. Cautioning Icarus, of the extreme risks involved, Daedalus first warns him of “complacency and then of hubris.”
A novel can hold countless deeper meanings that are easy to look past. Although literary theories help uncover some of these hidden meanings and further explore the novel in a new way (“Introductory Paragraph”). For instance, while analyzing The Lucky List and pinpointing some of these literary archetypes, the reader will recognize that identity comes from how you deal with obstacles and challenges life throws at you. For example, the character archetype of the lover, the symbolic archetype of the small town, and the situational archetype of the quest all illustrate the theme of identity in the novel.
A person’s identity is what defines them, it is their history and personality, it is what makes them the person they are, and yet sometimes it is sacrificed in order to attain something more. The giving up of a person’s race, when it is possible, is one of the clearest examples of this idea. When a certain race is oppressed, many would be willing to sacrifice their identity with the hopes of living free of oppression. The idea of sacrificing race and identity for a benefit is demonstrated in Charles Johnson’s novel Oxherding Tale and Nella Larsen’s novel Passing. In Oxherding Tale, the protagonist, Andrew, is born a black slave, but is half white and has a light skin tone.
There are many reasons why people read and enjoy books. According to the narrator of “A Girl’s Story” by David Arnason, we read books in order to escape reality. This statement is accurate by virtue of most events in books being unrealistic, readers wanting an interesting and refreshing plot, and lastly, because of the recurring battle between the mind and the heart. Firstly, it is apparent that the sequences of events in the world’s best books are quite impractical. For example, the extremely popular Harry Potter series; evidently, it is one of the highest selling book series in the world, yet it fails to meet realistic standards.
Through the representation of racially diverse characters, such as Christine Clark and Parnell the Pimp, Ross diverges from the traditional representation of African-Americans and other minorities in literature. As a biracial character, Christine Clark reveals the façade behind racial. Furthermore,
A person’s identity changes much over time. The reasons may vary, from life experiences, friends, or merely growth, people go through a multifold of changes during his or her lifetime. In the novel Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech, we accompany thirteen year old Salamanca Tree Hiddle, as she walks her late mother’s footsteps to Lewiston, Idaho in an attempt to better understand why she left. Amid Sal’s sojourn to Idaho, she reveals her best friend Phoebe’s story, which veritably is merely a camouflage for her own, or as she discloses in the first chapter, “The reason Phoebe’s story reminds me of that plaster wall and the hidden fireplace is that beneath Phoebe’s story was another one. Mine.”
Alexie who’s identity in the novel is Arnold, struggles to reach maturity as he tries to satisfy both social groups. Alexie uses narration,character and symbolism in order to illustrate Arnold’s struggle with identity to the reader. Narration allows the author
“Unless we base our sense of identity upon the truth of who we are, it is impossible to attain happiness” (Brenda Shoshanna). This quote shows the conflict within people, when they themselves do not know who they are because they do not embrace the truth of who they are. Many people come across this problem when they are in the midst of finding their own identity, even when it is staring right at them. In the novel, The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri, it reveals the present day culture clash and identity crisis people go through by just trying to fit in. In the book, Gogol Ganguli is a Bengali boy brought up in America that struggles with embracing his Bengali culture and accepting his identity which puts him in conflict between both cultures.
After reading I infer that the Caucasian characters in the book valued separation of class which caused the “Blacks” to be treated poorly, because they have been classified to be lower than the “Whites” as a result of the “Whites” believing they were superior compared to African Americans. “Whites” in the book have begun to slowly stop making laws appointed to individuals due to their race or class. Because of Aibileen doing what she did for her race she has proven that the values of the Caucasian race in the novel could be altered to ultimately improve race relations and help with equality for the advancement of human treatment civil rights for African
The Indians that lived on the island for many years sailed to the east, but a young girl name Karana was left behind. She waited for years for the ship to take her, but it never came so she started finding food, shelter, and making weapons. O’Dell informs readers that friendship is necessary for bravery and courage. Using three different dispute, O’Dell represents Karana goes through lots of features, she have grit to make things, and her siblings support and destroys worries or the pains of hers.
Rebel Girl (song by Bikini Kill) Rebel girl, Rebel girl/Rebel girl you are the queen of my world Rebel girl, Rebel girl/ I think I wanna take you home Greenstone and Looney have examined the effects of income and marriage in the US as part of the Hamilton Project and believe that the decline in employment and overall economic recession has reduced the marriage prospects of men, but in contrast, American women have made significant gains in the labor market. They state “Opportunities in the workplace have allowed women to become more financially independent, making marriage less of an economic necessity".
Alexandra Torres English 101 5/25/2018 “Americanah” Americanah, is a novel full of social commentary on race and how it affects the lives of black immigrants, especially female immigrants living in America. The main protagonist of the story, Ifemelu constantly points this out through the novel. Ifemelu experiences in America a new way of thinking, racial bias, social differences, cultural and social pressures that lead her to become a different person in her journey in America and eventually her home in Nigeria. In this essay we will discuss how this changes lead to Ifemelu to change in her character and adapt to a new way of thinking.