by Olive Senior (Jamaican)

CHARACTERS

Del

Elaine/Towser

The narrator

Maureen

Jason

Aunt Rita (Maureen and Jason’s parent)

Uncle Rob (Maureen and Jason’s parent)

Uncle Frank

Eulalie

Ermandine

Pearlie

Mr. Kincaid

Mr. Samuels

Melody-Ann

SETTINGS

Jamaica

Rural Jamaica

Urban Jamaica

SUMMARY OF STORY

Senior uses contrast to share the experiences of the child narrator. This extends to the two grandmothers and the settings. At first reading, the story is separated into two sections or two different periods of time in the narrator’s life. The innocence and curiosity of the narrator at the onset suggest that she is young. Throughout sections one to three, the readers can appreciate the innocence of the narrator and her childhood experiences at both her grandmother’s houses. One sees that she is not judgmental or critical of the other characters and that she shows genuine concern for those who are not as fortunate as herself. The narrator attempts to correct the unacceptable behaviour of Towser, her maternal grandmother. She makes use of the principles of the Bible to guide the words she chooses to deter her grandmother.

The change in the narrator comes as the story progresses and the readers see the contrast. She is now disparaging, conceited, and even cold-hearted in the way she speaks about other individuals in sections four to seven. The innocence that characterizes the narrator at the onset diminishes towards the end of the story and she begins to adopt the attitude of Towser, her maternal grandmother. She no longer appreciates her visits with grandma Del. Instead, she would much rather go to her friend’s party and watch a soap opera.

CONFLICT

Man versus self

The internal conflict is that of the narrator as she struggles with discovering who she is and who she wants to become as she grows. There is also the challenge of race in the story and the need for the narrator to connect with other members of her family.

RESOLUTION

The story ends with the narrator still in search of her identity. One could assume that as she matures, she will have a better understanding of who she is. The reader can accept that the narrator is not the best person at the end of the story but that she will perhaps evolve when she passes through adolescence.

THEMES

Racism

Religion

Poverty

Friendship

Family Relationship

Modern versus Traditional Beliefs and practices

Innocence and Loss of Innocence

Childhood Experience

Identity