Xuelas Character in Jamaica Kincaids Autobiography of My...

Many critics of The Autobiography of my Mother have remarked on the unrealistic facets of Xuelas extremist character. Her lack of remorse, her emotional detachment, her love of the dirty and impure, and her consuming need for total control over everyone and everything around her give her an almost mythic quality. A more well-rounded, humanistic character would have doubts and failings that Xuela does not seem to possess. In light of Xuelas deep-seated resentment of authority, stubborn love of the degraded and unacceptable, intense rejection of the à ¬master-slaveà ® relationship, and--most pointedly--her hatred of the British and British culture, many critics have embraced the idea that Xuela is highly symbolic of the conquered, colonized†¦show more content†¦Early in her life, Xuela rejects her racial stereotype but does not make public her higher self esteem. Even as a child, she keeps to mostly to herself, and because of this, hardly anyone understands her. As Xuela ages, she becomes preoccupied with the concept of master-slave relationships. Walking by a church on Sunday morning, she hears a hymn floating through the window: O Jesus I have promised/ to serve Thee to the end/ Be Thou forever near me/ my Master and my friend, to which her reaction is, Let me tell you something: this Master and friend business, it is not possible; a master cannot be a friend. And who would want such a thing, master and friend at once? (184). Xuela also sees her relationship with her father as having the overtones of a master-slave relationship. She is embittered by this dynamic, and her resentful spirit takes it to heart. Xuela will not be anybodys servant. Although Xuela never clearly addresses her contempt for the British conquerors, her distaste for the British finds expression in many passages throughout the book. Xuela remarks that A man proud of the pale hue of his skin cherishes it especially because it is not a fulfillment of any aspiration, it was not his through any effort at all on his part; he was just born that way, he was blessed and chosen to be that way and it gives him a special privilege in the hierarchy of everything (181). She continues by comparing such a man to herself, who owns nothing (182).Show MoreRelated Language in Jamaica Kincaids Autobiography of My Mother Essay703 Words   |  3 PagesUse of Language in The Autobiography of My Mother  Ã‚  Ã‚   Language. It is the way words flow into sentences, which flow into paragraphs, which flow into novels. It is the ability of the author to create an intricate web of plot, emotion, symbolism, and relationships through only words. In The Autobiography of My Mother , Jamaica Kincaid uses language in a way that is very simplistic, yet highly effective. Her writing is direct and to the point. There is neither flowery wording not complex sentenceRead MoreAfrican Literature and Culture1447 Words   |  6 Pagesearlier works, the female gender was often perceived as â€Å"the Queen Mother.† Many African writers portray women in traditional roles whereas articles written in the past few decades analyze male-female relationships with a more feminist approach. This paper will analyze articles by leading African writers concerning the representation of the male-female relationship. In 1997, Jamaica Kincaid’s book entitled The Autobiography of My Mother opened the eyes of readers to the life of the protagonist and narrator