Contemporary Caribbean-American Literature: Thoughts on Identity Constructions for Caribbean Diasporic Subjects in American Racial and Cultural Context.
College
College of Arts and Letters
Department
English
Graduate Level
Doctoral
Graduate Program/Concentration
Literary and Cultural Studies & Media and Technology
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Abstract
This study includes six contemporary literary texts (novels and short stories) that offer exemplary representations of identification process of the Caribbean diaspora situated within American context. The texts included in this study are: Now Lila Knows by Elizabeth Nunez (2022), Disposable People by Ezekel Alan (2012), Brother, I’M Dying by Edwidge Danticat (2007), Ayiti by Roxane Gay (2011), Dominicana by Angie Cruz (2019), and How to Love a Jamaican by Alexia Arthurs (2018). By studying representations of identity formation throughout the Caribbean-American literature, a postcolonial analysis integrated with cultural studies such as critical race theory, decolonial approach, and diaspora studies leads to a discovery of differences in identity processes for Caribbean subjects in America based on personal and temporal experiences. Identity formation for Caribbean subjects show a level of struggle that is informed by alienation, critical emotions such as hate, fear, melancholic self, confusion over racial identity, liminality, lack of empowerment, hybridization, race-consciousness, triple marginalization, and exile. Through contemporary narrative – many considered realist in style– the authors offer representations of individuals taking on the process of identity negotiation while inscribing the character of the migrant/immigrant/foreigner as confused, weak, and passive. Through the act of literary production, Caribbean diasporic identity illustrates the potential values of literary studies in developing critical awareness for the United States and hemispheric racial politics. Literature that deals comparatively with identity formation in America about immigrants is an important component to cultural studies, research about immigration, and race theory.
Keywords
Caribbean-American Literature, Identity Struggle, Postcolonial Theory, Cultural Studies
Contemporary Caribbean-American Literature: Thoughts on Identity Constructions for Caribbean Diasporic Subjects in American Racial and Cultural Context.
This study includes six contemporary literary texts (novels and short stories) that offer exemplary representations of identification process of the Caribbean diaspora situated within American context. The texts included in this study are: Now Lila Knows by Elizabeth Nunez (2022), Disposable People by Ezekel Alan (2012), Brother, I’M Dying by Edwidge Danticat (2007), Ayiti by Roxane Gay (2011), Dominicana by Angie Cruz (2019), and How to Love a Jamaican by Alexia Arthurs (2018). By studying representations of identity formation throughout the Caribbean-American literature, a postcolonial analysis integrated with cultural studies such as critical race theory, decolonial approach, and diaspora studies leads to a discovery of differences in identity processes for Caribbean subjects in America based on personal and temporal experiences. Identity formation for Caribbean subjects show a level of struggle that is informed by alienation, critical emotions such as hate, fear, melancholic self, confusion over racial identity, liminality, lack of empowerment, hybridization, race-consciousness, triple marginalization, and exile. Through contemporary narrative – many considered realist in style– the authors offer representations of individuals taking on the process of identity negotiation while inscribing the character of the migrant/immigrant/foreigner as confused, weak, and passive. Through the act of literary production, Caribbean diasporic identity illustrates the potential values of literary studies in developing critical awareness for the United States and hemispheric racial politics. Literature that deals comparatively with identity formation in America about immigrants is an important component to cultural studies, research about immigration, and race theory.