Tonton Macoute

A major issue at the center of Danticat’s novel, “The Dew Breaker” deals with the brutal military dictatorship of Haiti. There are numerous chapters in Danticat book where she expresses how brutal the Presidents army, the Tontons Macoutes, were to the citizens of Haiti. Danticat depicts the misery, violence, and suffering of the Haitian people under the hands of President Jean-Claude Duvalier and his military personnal. The novel showcases how the supreme power of Duvalier was exercised, through the macoutes, to commit crimes against humanity by personal accounts of numerous characters within the book. President Jean-Claude Duvalier ruled Haiti from 1971 to 1986, when he was forced to flee. He succeeded to President after his father’s death at the young age of 19. He governed Haiti far longer than any other President as he announced him to be Haiti’s President for Life[1]. Duvalier is known for his brutal crimes against humanity by way of the macoutes, his military army. Duvalier would have the macoutes “round-up citizens” of Haiti to have them come and listen…

Numerous factors present a crystal-clear explanation as to why the population of Haiti declined during the 1970’s and now continues to plummet since the 1980’s after a brief rise. As shown in the data from the Los Angeles Times article Haiti's troubled succession of leaders: 'They don't really want to work for the Haitian people', Haiti has gone through periods of rule under two presidents that have done all but encourage an increase in the population. For example, Francois "Papa Doc"…

He like many other candidates “promised that he would do something for the country's poor black majority” (The Harvard Crimson), and to rebuild the country anew. Duvalier made deals with other candidates to back down, and won favor with the army, which made him the superior choice. In 1957, he was elected President, in what was “ the quietest and most honest election in Haiti's history” (François Duvalier Biography). After becoming President many of the defeated candidates refused to conform to…

an aspect of racism due to the system of acculturation from French colonies in Haiti. Duvalier even with his very dark skin color conflicts against his own identity as Claire does by adopting French ideologies that isolate blacks from their own selves. Chauvete is very specific when she presents Caledu as a very black man. It is like she is purposely presenting the audience Duvalirer as black president belong to the bourgeoise. But, he didn't see himself as a "black slave" like black…

unfavorable attention was brought to the situation through international news sources, as well as, “…provoked protests within the US against the Occupation of Haiti.” Furthermore, while Richard Albert presents the idea of Canada helping Haiti regain its stability, Kroeker-Maus states that the original goal of the occupation was to—similarly—bring stability to Haiti, which overall failed and resulted in the rise of brutal dictator Francois ‘Papa Doc’ Duvalier . Duvalier was able to win the title…

revolution. Cristophe worked to build on the country’s economy, but was caught up in war with internal and external forces. In 1820 he committed suicide to escape being captured by rebel soldiers. His successor was Jean-Pierre Boyer, who ruled from 1820 to 1843 when he was overthrown. From 1843 to 1915, Haiti was governed by at least twenty different men, most of who would have been described as dictators. (“Haiti”). Most of Haiti’s political history is marked by dictators and men who sought…

“Psychology Today” refers to guilt by saying “Guilt and its handmaiden, shame, can paralyze us––or catalyze us into action. Appropriate guilt can function as social glue, spurring one to make reparations for wrongs. Excessive rumination about one's failures, however, is a surefire recipe for resentment and depression.” Guilt plays a role in the novels The Dew Breaker, The Kite Runner, and The Namesake and as each main character works through their guilt, they seek rapprochement. Although…

narrative of a majority black ex-slave population, tired with the rules of the light skinned elites; The fact that the first emperor was assassinated by a Mulatto, Pétion so the solution would be a complete reversal of the political power and for it to be replace by black leaders (Dubois 2012, 321-322). As Duvalier also known as “papa doc” ventured in a political career, he would proclaim himself the heir of Estimé which would win him lot of support. He would also use the force of hired tugs…

despotic future of humanity. And so, this protect will attempt to compare the predictions made in the literary pieces Fahrenheit 451, The Giver and Brave New World to see just how well did the authors of our past envisioned our future. “Knowledge is power,” this is a maxim that has been around for a very long time, and it is one that has not escaped the attention of those in power. For thousands of years, as far back as one can see, those that have stood in power, those that have held it, have…