Kincaid's "Blackness"

     This story was told with an interesting narrative voice, a story of self-discovery through what seems to be one's inner struggles with the 'blackness' that is described in the story. While it can be difficult to understand, this story gives an interesting look into what a person experiencing unhomeliness may feel like. Our mysterious narrator gives insight to how they are feeling, and it seems to be hard for this person to feel comfortable. The story says, "The blackness cannot bring me joy but often I am made glad in it. The blackness cannot be separated from me but often I can stand outside it. The blackness is not the air, though I breathe it." This conflicting idea of 'blackness' is what the majority of the story is about. It seems that the narrator feels isolated and has the postcolonial idea of otherness hanging over her head, often times wondering where to look and what to do.

    We also see the the idea of double consciousness battle between the blackness and another side of life in the story; a side of life that includes a daughter and interaction. The narrator says, "I hear the silent voice; it stands opposite the blackness yet it does not oppose the blackness, for conflict is not part of its nature. I shrug off my mantle of hatred. In love I move towards the silent voice." This silent voice and place the narrator ends up in is one of much more happiness than the blackness and seems to be the 'a-ha' moment for the storyteller. One of the last lines of the story says, "Living in the silent voice, I am at last at peace." Through the struggle and self-discovery, the narrator seems to be overcoming some postcolonial problems to finally live the life that is wanted.

-cs

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