Jamaica Kincaid's revelational work concerning postcolonial Antigua, "A Small Place", focuses on colonialism and its direct and indirect effects on the island. Among these, the inhibition of the natives' cultural development and, consequently, the destruction of an identity have been the major repercussions of the influence brought on by an invasive foreign country. As a reader, the second section of Kincaid's work has drawn even more attention as a loss of culture and identification are exposed, meanwhile the critical reflection on Antigua's history develops the island's intricate situation furthermore, and in turn, revealing this "unknown identity." Peter Robert's Identity could further develop and evolve the loss of an identity and culture echoed in Kincaid's essay, which would then lead one to ask two fundamental questions: "what is identity?" and "what is culture?"
Perhaps those two questions are linked; coexisting and intertwined with each other, inseparable to their very core. Peter Robert writes, "Culture Identity, then as opposed to political identity and involving the features, place and race, and language, results from a coalescence over time of a highly variable factors." By definition, culture is the beliefs, customs, arts, etc. of a particular society or group. Yet, because this definition also englobes a way of thinking and behaviour displayed by the aforementioned group or society, then a sense of identification must, naturally, arise from these manifestations and practices.
Jamaica Kincaid takes one on a journey to explore the Antigua of the present and past, both describing the condition in which is it found and the relevance of the island's history in relation to island's state.
Even though the author repeatedly mentions "a small place," it is clear that the intention of such repetition is not to emphasize the literal meaning of these words. Then, if the literal meaning is not the purpose, what is? Conceivably, it is a derogatory term coined by the British when it came to colonialist terms. Used like this, a small place perfectly reflects the state of non-being brought on by the invaders. However, Kincaid envelopes a rather different definition to these words, which seems to be established more as she advances in her writing. I am curious as to how she will further develop this theme.
Let's venture into the content its implications of the second section of "A Small Place." The narrator (Jamaica Kincaid) describes an Antigua not familiar to her, one that did not exist in her youthful memories. The island is obviously poverty ridden, yet beautiful in the eyes of the tourist. The Antiguans have most certainly lost their identity as nation as the foreign business of tourism questions their standing. The natives are presented as "stupid" or "ignorant" in respect to their own selves. The behaviour of the English had been seen as, and solely as, "bad manners." Was it ignorance that led to the failure to recognize racism that was so blatantly practiced? What ever happened to the native's responsibility to preserve their own nation and identity, be it national or cultural?
As I continue on reading "A Small Place," I eagerly await the unraveling of the island's history and culture, whereupon the notion of identity will develop even more so.
