Back to search

East Tennessee State University

Maternal Shadows and Colonial Ghosts in Jamaica Kincaid's <em>Annie John</em>.

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>Although Jamaica Kincaid’s Annie John can be described as a bildungsroman or coming of age story, the novel raises complex and compelling issues. Both Annie John’s mother and the colonial school undermine her transition into adulthood by teaching Annie to devalue her individual identity and culture. When Annie questions this perception, both lash out against her. Through a close and sensitive examination of the text, the ethnocentric bias and hidden agendas of those closest to Annie is uncovered and analyzed. As West Indian writers, particularly women writers, gain more recognition, it is crucial to acknowledge and understand the effects that growing up on a colonized island has upon West Indians. A deeper reading of Annie John exposes the prejudices and power relationships that continue to haunt formerly colonized islands.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
MA (Master of Arts)
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis - restricted
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
English
Year dc:date.issued
2001

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Gillespie, Sandra Walton

Subjects

dc:subject × 5

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • Copyright by the authors.

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/104
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-1154

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
East Tennessee State University
Base URL
dc.etsu.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Gillespie, Sandra Walton. Maternal Shadows and Colonial Ghosts in Jamaica Kincaid's <em>Annie John</em>.. Thesis - restricted thesis, 2001. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/104