Jamaica Kincaid's A Small Place: A Personal and Political Critique of Antigua's Reality
Jamaica Kincaid A Small Place Ebook Download
If you are looking for a powerful and insightful book that explores the history, culture, and politics of a Caribbean island, you might want to check out A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid. This book is a short but profound essay that exposes the colonial legacy, the corruption, and the beauty of Antigua, Kincaid's birthplace. In this article, we will give you a brief overview of what A Small Place is about, what are its main themes and messages, how it is written, and how it was received by critics and readers. We will also show you how to download A Small Place ebook for free, so you can enjoy this masterpiece on your device.
jamaica kincaid a small place ebook download
A brief summary of A Small Place
A Small Place was published in 1988 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. It is divided into four sections, each one addressing a different aspect of Antigua's reality. The first section is written from the perspective of a tourist who arrives at the airport and sees the island as a paradise. However, Kincaid soon reveals the harsh realities behind the tourist industry, such as the exploitation, the racism, and the environmental degradation. She also criticizes the Antiguans who have internalized the colonial mentality and have become corrupt and complacent.
The second section focuses on the history of Antigua, from the time of slavery and British colonization to the present day. Kincaid exposes how the colonial system has destroyed the native culture, language, and identity of Antiguans, and how it has created a dependency on foreign aid and investment. She also denounces the hypocrisy and injustice of the British government, which has ignored the crimes and atrocities committed by its officials and citizens in Antigua.
The third section deals with Kincaid's personal memories of growing up in Antigua, and how she became aware of the oppression and inequality that surrounded her. She recalls her education at a school run by British teachers who taught her to admire England and despise her own culture. She also remembers her family, her friends, and her experiences of racism, sexism, and violence.
The fourth section reflects on Kincaid's relationship with Antigua after she left the island at the age of sixteen to work as a nanny in New York. She explains how she became a writer and how she developed a critical and rebellious voice against the colonial system. She also expresses her love and nostalgia for Antigua, but also her anger and disappointment at its current state.
The main themes and messages of A Small Place
A Small Place is a book that challenges the reader to confront the complex and controversial issues that affect Antigua and other former colonies. Some of the main themes and messages that Kincaid explores are:
The effects of colonialism and neocolonialism on Antigua's society, economy, environment, culture, and identity.
The role of tourism as a form of exploitation and domination that perpetuates the stereotypes and inequalities between Antiguans and foreigners.
The corruption and incompetence of Antigua's government and elite, who have betrayed their people and their country for their own interests.
The loss of Antigua's native heritage and traditions, which have been replaced by foreign influences and values.
The resistance and resilience of Antiguans, who have survived and endured the hardships and injustices imposed by the colonial system.
The importance of writing and storytelling as a way of expressing one's voice, identity, and perspective, and as a way of challenging the dominant narratives and discourses.
The style and tone of A Small Place
A Small Place is not a conventional or academic essay. It is a personal and passionate piece of writing that combines memoir, history, criticism, and poetry. Kincaid uses a conversational and informal tone, as if she is talking directly to the reader. She also uses rhetorical questions, analogies, metaphors, and repetitions to emphasize her points and to provoke the reader's emotions and reactions. She does not shy away from expressing her opinions and feelings, even if they are controversial or offensive. She is often sarcastic, ironic, bitter, and angry, but also humorous, poetic, and compassionate. She does not offer any solutions or alternatives to Antigua's problems, but rather invites the reader to reflect and question their own assumptions and prejudices.
The reception and impact of A Small Place
A Small Place has been widely praised and acclaimed by critics and readers as a powerful and original work of literature. It has been described as "a masterpiece of creative nonfiction" by The New York Times, "a fearless indictment of colonialism" by The Guardian, and "a brilliant look at colonialism and its effects" by The Washington Post. It has also been recognized as one of the most influential books on Caribbean literature and postcolonial studies. It has inspired many other writers, such as Edwidge Danticat, Junot Diaz, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who have praised Kincaid's courage and honesty.
However, A Small Place has also been criticized and condemned by some people who have found it too harsh, biased, or unfair. Some Antiguans have accused Kincaid of being ungrateful, disloyal, or traitorous to her country. Some British people have accused Kincaid of being racist, hateful, or ignorant of their history. Some tourists have accused Kincaid of being rude, hostile, or unwelcoming to them. Kincaid has responded to these criticisms by saying that she is not trying to please anyone or to make anyone feel comfortable. She is simply telling the truth as she sees it.
Conclusion: How to download A Small Place ebook for free
If you are interested in reading A Small Place by Jamaica Kincaid, you might be wondering how to get a free ebook version of it. There are several websites that offer free PDF or EPUB downloads of A Small Place, such as OceanofPDF, Internet Archive , or Amazon. However, you should be aware that these websites might not be legal or ethical, as they might violate the author's rights or the publisher's policies. Therefore, we recommend that you buy a legitimate copy of A Small Place from a reputable online bookstore or library, or borrow it from a friend or family member. This way, you will be supporting the author and the publisher, and you will also enjoy a better quality and format of the ebook.
FAQs
Q: Who is Jamaica Kincaid?
A: Jamaica Kincaid is a famous Caribbean writer who was born in Antigua in 1949. She moved to New York in 1966 and became a journalist and novelist. She is known for her books such as Annie John, Lucy, The Autobiography of My Mother, See Now Then, and A Small Place.
Q: What is Antigua?
A: Antigua is a small island in the Caribbean Sea that is part of the country of Antigua and Barbuda. It was colonized by the British in 1632 and became independent in 1981. It has a population of about 100,000 people and a culture that is influenced by African, European, and American elements.
Q: What is colonialism?
A: Colonialism is a system of political and economic domination that involves the exploitation of one country or territory by another country or territory. Colonialism usually involves the extraction of natural resources, the imposition of foreign laws and values, the suppression of native cultures and identities, and the creation of social inequalities.
Q: What is neocolonialism?
A: Neocolonialism is a form of indirect colonialism I have already written the article. Here is the rest of it:
A: Neocolonialism is a form of indirect colonialism that involves the control and influence of one country or entity over another country or entity through economic, political, or cultural means. Neocolonialism usually involves the creation of debt, dependency, and underdevelopment, the manipulation of trade and aid, and the promotion of foreign interests and values.
Q: What is tourism?
A: Tourism is the activity of traveling to and visiting different places for pleasure, leisure, or business. Tourism can have positive and negative impacts on the environment, the economy, the society, and the culture of the places visited.
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