Don't Forget to Write Caribbean Poets Building Communities through Literature

Date of Award

2004

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Humanities

First Advisor

Labrador-Rodriguez, Sonia

Keywords

Caribbean, C�saire, Aim�, Walcott, Derek, Pietri, Pedro

Area of Concentration

Humanities

Abstract

This project examines the development of Caribbean literature, specifically poetry, by analyzing trends in the works of three major Caribbean poets: Aim� C�saire, Derek Walcott and Pedro Pietri. Through analysis of their poetry we can compare common traits in the literary devices these poets employ, as well as the sociocultural factors that fuel their craft. Analysis of these factors is done with the help of critical material concerning minority literature in general (as defined byDeleuze and Guattari) and literary production in the Caribbean (as discussed by Edouard Glissant). A major factor in each of these poets' works is the reappropriation of the dominant language--and literary archetypes --of their respective colonizers. Through reclamation of language and development of literature, each of these poets creates a unique yet similar means of giving voice to their long-silent communities. Through this, they not only strengthen their current communities, they prove literature to be a viable means of cultural expression in the Caribbean.

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