Joseph Zobel's Black Shack Alley

Black Shack Alley

Intro:

Education, by definition, is the process of receiving systematic instruction, especially at a school or university. In Joseph Zobel’s, Black Shack Alley, we come across many different forms of education. Jose, the protagonist, moves from the plantation town, Petit-Bourg, to a more urbanized town, Forte-de-France. The education he receives in these two places differ because of the difference between the impoverished country environment and the wealthy town environment. Jose’s education from two very different places, a wealthy town and a poor country, is not limited to lessons learned in school, but expands to lessons learned from people around him. In the town of Forte-de-France, Jose attends a lycée, a secondary school, which he receives a quarter scholarship. The more developed teaching methods there match the town’s urban society. The education was more formal and way more expensive. “One had to be fully and properly dressed, and speak French there” (51). José only received a quarter scholarship for this school. Jose was aware that he was the only child who grew up in the

In the Lycée at Forte-de-France, Jose was somewhat of an outsider who couldn’t relate to the wealthy kids. Because of this difference, Jose’s learning differed greatly at these two locations. He thrived in Petit-Bourg and his successes allowed him to attend the Lycee. His learning from Mr. Medouze was very different from his education at Petit-Bourg and Forte-de-France. Mr. Medouze taught him riddles and superstitions that related to his culture and beliefs, these are not necessarily considered education, but it did teach Jose important ideas. Mr. Medouze also taught and allowed Jose to expand his imagination by telling young Jose about far off places, such as Guinea, and bringing inanimate objects to life through his