A Small Place

A Small Place written by Jamaica Kincaid (2000) is recognized by a number of scholars highlighting how the content exposes readers to the past and present culture of the narrator's native country Antigua. Kincaid (2000) addresses the corruption in the Antiguan government, the influence of English colonialism, tourism as a neo-colonial structure, and in short identifies factors that contribute to the lost identity of Antigua. Nonetheless, one should take notice that the author frequently switching between a first, second, and third-person point of view is a technique to evoke a sense of awareness to the audience about the multiple perspectives that express the history of Antigua. Kincaid (2000) practices this form of writing because initially small places outside of North America hardly receive recognition despite their unique customs and values. As a result, there becomes a lack of accurate information about these small areas which affect their reputation once being introduced to a larger group of people. Therefore, exercising terms that imply perspectives from natives, the tourist, and those in power draws attention the collective influences that play a role in the construction and non-identified history of Antigua. All in all, Kincaid (2000) points out to readers that foreign countries that appear visually stimulating are in reality tainted from outside contributions. Antigua’s rich history has been neglected by its beautiful tourist attractions which are put in place to…

The store I choose to write my Close-reading on is “ A Small Place” by Jamaica Kincaid. In the beginning of In a Small Place I had some mix feelings about it somewhere good and some bad. As the story starts it her telling use what’s happening and what she seeing for example. She describing her country by telling us how non-locals see the country as beautiful, but the locals who see it as a trashy and a bad corrupt place. I want to know why the author makes this point in the beginning? I can only…

various places all over the world, romanticizing the idea of wandering and experiencing the world without, however, taking a moment to think about the people in the places they may visit. It can be easy for those who live in big, important countries to be blind to issues happening in the smaller countries they visit, and how that can impact the people who live there. In A Small Place, Jamaica Kincaid uses a bitter, accusatory tone, directly addressing the reader as she puts them in the position…

As a result of this impending departure, the narrator exploits any time spent on transportation, such as aeroplanes and cars, in order to highlight cultural and political issues that would otherwise remain unseen (Kincaid 6-7). However, these small windows that force the reader to view the monstrosities of the city, also separates them from the poverty and secondary living situations of their chauffeurs, as each pane of glass provides them with a sense of comfort and normality. This conscious…

Monica Korb [Delete John Smith and put your name here] COM 101—Spring 2015 A Small Place Essay Jamaica Kincaid’s memoir, A Small Place, offers an instructive example for understanding how a reality can differ greatly between people relative to their point of observation. Kincaid explains her experience of Antigua as both a “paradise” and a “prison.” It is because of this dual reality that Kincaid expresses a conflicted sense of life. She also mentions how one’s landscape is a reflection of…

Colonialism on the Island of Antigua and Native American Reservations How would you feel if, in an instant, your country was destroyed by foreigners who invaded your land? A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid she writes about her life growing up on an island called Antigua. As she was getting older, she witnessed a lot of racism and colonialism. Similarly, Sherman Alexie’s essay “Indian Education”, Junior Polatkin was mistreated in school because his white instructor was very cruel to him.…

literature, widely praised for her works of short fiction stories, novels, and essays in which she shows reality, expectations of society and problems between mother and daughter relationship. Based on her exceptional work as a writer, Kincaid has earned a reputable place in the literary world for her highly personal, stylistic, and honest writings. Her literature shows her personality by reflecting how she think, concern and describe herself in the way that her character growth up in the short…

Antigua (Kincaid, line 19). Every time she hears the word England, she feels that no other country could compare to the England’s high standard of living. She is forced her adopt the culture of england and neglect her Antiguan culture. Furthermore, the removal of herself is necessary in order for England to be recognized as important. England is “[apart] of a process” (Kincaid, line 108) that has resulted in “[her erasure]” and her “physical erasure” (Kincaid, line 109 + line 109). Without…

Because Africa is viewed as an uncivilized place, those who have the power, and are therefore more civilized, must take it upon themselves to fix what is broken. Wainaina makes a point to writers that Africa would be “doomed” without their assistance (544). It is prejudiced to believe negative stereotypes about a group of people, but those beliefs can be justified if they are true and a cause for help. Those with power justify the vilification of a culture by framing it as good deed; those who…

lives. Names can apply to people, places, things, physical objects and hypothetical ideas. We use names to identify, but what is the connection between the name and what the name represents? In her essay, “In History,” Jamaica Kincaid discusses the importance of naming and the impact of multiple narratives. The first half of Kincaid’s essay focuses on Columbus’ journey to the “New World.” Kincaid tells of sailors’ stories of far away treasures while discussing Columbus’ motivation and his…