On Seeing England For The First Time Pdf
"On Seeing England for the First Time" is a thought-provoking essay written by Jamaica Kincaid, a renowned Caribbean-American writer. The essay talks about Kincaid's first encounter with England, the motherland that colonized her native country of Antigua. Kincaid's essay explores the themes of colonialism, identity, and cultural differences. The essay is both an observation and a commentary on the English culture and the historical context of imperialism. In this article, we will explore in detail the main ideas, themes, and literary devices used by Kincaid in "On Seeing England for the First Time."
The Theme of Colonialism in "On Seeing England for the First Time"
One of the major themes in "On Seeing England for the First Time" is colonialism. Kincaid writes about the impact of British imperialism on her country, Antigua. She talks about the way the colonizers altered the culture and identity of the Antiguan people. Kincaid writes, "the English did come and they stayed and they stayed and they stayed, and they colonized and they oppressed, and some of them fell in love with the place and stayed forever, and some of them stayed for a while, but no matter what, they left something behind."
The essay highlights the way colonialism reinforces cultural hegemony, where the colonizing culture is seen as superior to the colonized culture. It is in this context that the English culture appears in Kincaid's essay as an embodiment of British colonialism. As she describes it, England is a place of "eternal gloominess," and its culture is "oppressive and imperialistic."
Furthermore, Kincaid's essay highlights the way in which colonialism erases the identity of the colonized people. She writes, "colonialism tried to erase our culture, our history, our identity. It tried to replace it with a version of itself." Through her essay, Kincaid attempts to reclaim her own identity and culture that was taken away by the British colonizers.
The Theme of Identity in "On Seeing England for the First Time"
Another significant theme in the essay is identity. Kincaid's essay addresses the question of what it means to belong to a particular culture, country, or community. She writes, "culture is not just the preservation of the past; it is also the interpretation of the present and the direction of the future."
Through her reflections on her visit to England, Kincaid searches for her own identity. She discovers that her identity is closely tied to her Antiguan culture, which she describes as colorful, vibrant, and joyful. By reflecting on her own cultural roots, Kincaid attempts to redefine her identity on her own terms, free from the influence of British imperialism.
The Theme of Cultural Differences in "On Seeing England for the First Time"
Another major theme of Kincaid's essay is cultural differences. The essay reflects on the stark differences between the Antiguan and English cultures. Kincaid writes about the cultural shock she experienced when she first saw England. She describes the English culture as "cold," where people are reserved and distant from each other.
Kincaid also writes about the differences in the landscape, climate, and food. She contrasts the green and lush vegetation of Antigua with the "grey and barren" land of England. Through her essay, Kincaid attempts to bridge the gap between cultures and promote understanding and respect for each other's differences.
Literary Devices in "On Seeing England for the First Time"
"On Seeing England for the First Time" is a well-crafted essay that employs various literary devices to communicate the author’s ideas. Kincaid uses imagery to paint vivid pictures of the landscape and cultural differences between Antigua and England. She uses metaphors, such as "the ice in their eyes" to describe the English people's demeanor, and "eternal gloominess" to describe the English climate.
Kincaid also uses repetition to emphasize her points. She repeats the phrase "they fell in love with the place" to show how some colonizers were attracted to the Caribbean's natural beauty, but still perpetuated colonialism. She also repeats the phrase "all of us" to show how colonialism affected every Antiguan and attempted to erase their identity.
Conclusion
"On Seeing England for the First Time" is a powerful essay that reflects on the impact of British colonialism on the Antiguan people. Through her essay, Jamaica Kincaid attempts to reclaim her identity and culture that were taken away by British imperialism. Her essay also promotes understanding and respect for cultural differences and highlights the need to bridge the gap between cultures. The literary devices used in the essay added to its power and effectiveness. It is an essay that is both informative and thought-provoking, and one that deserves to be read and discussed by anyone interested in issues of colonialism, identity, and cultural differences.
