Colin Lebzelter ENG3299 Blog

 The Disturbances of the Garden  "But where is the garden and where am I in it?"(P6), this line metaphorically lays out a question that everyone has, what is life and where do I fit into everything? I think the garden can be viewed as an extended metaphor for life itself and the struggles that people face sometimes to figure out how they fit into the world around them. Especially in the Caribbean sometimes being spilt between two cultures or an islands with stark economic and racial contrasts people were forced to ask themselves where exactly they were supposed to be in this world.  "On August 3, 1492—the day that Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain, later having a fatal encounter with the indigenous people he met in the “West Indies”—the world of the garden changed."(P8), this line shows where all this change and cultural confusion began. At the end of the day when we ask ourselves who caused the Caribbean to be the way it is today, the answer is all of the Eu...

Caribbean Verse: The History of Literature by Arturo Cattaneo           "How choose between this Africa and the English tongue that I love? Betray them both? or Give back what they give?"(88), this quote from Derek Walcott sums up the central purpose of the article in that people of the Caribbean often have trouble distinguishing their identity. The Caribbean is unique in it's language and often categorized based upon it. But making the Caribbean homogenize into a language similar to the United States would take a way a piece of their culture. Australian English and British English are a fair amount different from American English and represent a culture and a history central to their nation. I think despite any stereotypes that may come out, it is the Caribbean language that some view as broken English that is deeply ingrained in the people. The language is sort of English sort of from somewhere else and that represents the people there very well. They're ...

 Passport to Paradise      I really liked this story because it shows the power that people have when they stand behind religion, whether it be good or bad intentioned. In the story, a foreign man blows into town claiming to have power and offers tickets to the afterlife. The people of the village allow the existing clergy to be usurped by this man who claims to do the same thing but for a price. The legitimacy of the foreign man is never definitively stated but either way the people of the village seemed to believe him without much question. "Everyone in the market place said he possessed the power to make amulets which were passports to paradise"(275), at this point the actual legitimacy of the magician no longer matters because the people believe that he has power and therefore he does.     "Heaven open to everybody and sin gone out of use....Man's imagination can certainly go to unfathomable depths"(276), this line alone points to many different religio...

 The Inheritance of My Father: A Story For Listening by Astrid Roemer      This story follows a girl as she travels to her father's home country of Surinam, to discover her roots and meet her grandmother.  "After that night I began to think about everything, who my parents were, about my mother, where my father is from"(349), the narrator immediately is revealed to be struggling with who she is as a person and has many questions of where her parents came from and how they come from two very different cultural backgrounds. The narrator speaks about how she would go outside and be call names due to her ethnic background. Her father is of Afro-Caribbean descent and her mother is of white American descent. This causes much confusion for the narrator as she is called "half-breed" by her own grandmother among many other derogatory names and racial slurs. At the beginning of the story the narrator has questions about herself and her ancestry that cab only be answered b...

 My Brother's Keeper by Geoffrey Philp     My brother's keeper follows a cynical young boy as he is forced to adjust his life after his half-brother moves in with him upon the death of his father. "I don't like hating people, but when him step in through the door with him new bag, new shoes, new shirt, and new pants, and me sitting there in the living room with no shoes tear up, tear up, I hate him even more"(434), this line definitely made me empathize for Umpire as he is living in poverty and now has to live with David who is younger but vastly more privileged. It doesn't seem fair that Umpire has all of these responsibilities like "always have to fetch uncle George" (435) and living in a single-parent household with an abusive family and having this kid blow into town seeming to have everything. Coming from a blue-collar and working-class background I definitely understand what it is like to envy those around you, those close to you, and even to f...

 Morris, Bhaiya by Clyde Hosein "Morris was an island in a sea of Indians"(277), the story opens with this line and instantly gives the reader insight into the theme that Morris as an African man feels like a minority. Morris is one of two Africans in his predominantly Indian community along with Miss. Jenny, and has adopted many Indian tendencies as a result. Morris knows their language, will dress in their clothes, works with them, and worships with them, yet he is still not one of them. "All them creole people in Kora renting house and room from Indian"(280), this shows not only are there more Indians but there is inequality that exists between Indians and Africans on the island. With Africans being the minority group their cultural differences lead to them being discriminated against and this is the unfortunate truth in the post-colonial Caribbean. I thought that people could live together harmoniously in the post-colonial world regardless of ethnicity since all...

When Women Love Men  by Rossario Ferr é    "When Women Love Men" provides both an intriguing and shocking perspective on women. The line  "Have always known that a prostitute hides under the skin of every lady"(258), surprised me and caused me to read it twice. I can't get behind this inherent sexualization of women and the idea that they all "get around" or are all sexual deviants. When interpreting the idea that women are prostitutes deep down it could also point to the thought that women all have sexual desires deep down. Which I would agree with only to the point that all women are interested in sex at the right time in their life or at least in their mind, the same way all men are interested in sex and have desires even if they are sworn to celibacy. I feel like this line is partially rebutted with the later line "Because we have always known each prostitute is a potential lady."(258), this goes back to the idea that oftentimes women in ...

 Elza     Elza is an intriguing film on discovering your identity and the place you come from. Elza certainly learns much on what it means to be from the Caribbean and how they lead a different way of life. I think that would foremost stood out to me was the income disparity between rich and poor groups on the island. Elza's father owns a construction company that is built off the profits of extremely impoverished and overworked employees. It seems that Elza's father is the only one doing well on the whole island, with Bernard doing markedly better than most but still didn't appear to be of great wealth. Bernard is also white, and Elza's father is of mixed descent but still whiter than most. This points to the idea that there is not only an extreme income disparity on the island but there is an extreme racial disparity on the island too. Race and income go hand in hand in the Caribbean but also around the world. Often times you'll find that poverty is correlated wit...

    Moko Jumbie is an interesting, at times cryptic and jumbled film. I really enjoyed how it showed life in the Caribbean is different depending on who you are. Asha comes to the Caribbean and immediately finds a much different way of life from London. I think what struck me immediately was the difference between Roger and Asha's household, they essentially live in two different worlds and live merely across the street. This shows that the idea of inequality in the Caribbean isn't built on a single ruling class and a single underclass. The social castes are multi-tiered in the Caribbean and are heavily built on ethnicity at certain points. Asha and her family is of Indian origin and are held socially higher than people of Afro-Caribbean ethnicity. Economic status could factor in this to an extent in that rodger appeared to be impoverished as well, but even with all other factors equal people of Afro-Caribbean descent are held lower than people of Indian-ethnicity. All of thes...

 To Da-Duh, In Memorandum by Paule Marshall     This story covers the narrator meeting her grandmother Da-Duh, in her ancestral home in the Caribbean. The story quickly reveals the stark difference between New York City and the natural beauty of Barbados and the cultural offerings of the area. "Whether she might not be some child the same time she was a woman"(160), the story quickly jumps into meeting Da-Duh who is described as visibly very old. I was intrigued by the comparison that this draws between people in their old age and children both physically and mentally. I had heard of this concept that old age is similar to being a child in that someone needs to care for you. I find the parallels interesting but I don't exactly agree that old age is the same as childhood. Many old people have disabilities but are entirely capable of advanced thought and processing, and many of them need care at different levels some need almost no care at all. Infants all need care to surv...

The Last Voyage of the Ghost Ship  This story juxtaposes an eerie aurora with the calm and natural beauty of the Caribbean. Marquez's writing style makes it easy for the reader to visualize a light breeze on the beach in the night in the Caribbean interrupted by a shocking shipwreck that is quickly consumed by the darkness. I think the concept I like is the idea of a place of beauty with danger lurking in the background. In that, this is a metaphor for the entire Caribbean, a place that is beautiful on the surface but upon looking close dark secrets lurk. "Ran aground, broke up, and sank without a single sound"(148), this line shows how the massive ship was swallowed up by the sea essentially without anyone knowing or having any idea. "time she got a comfortable chair to think about her dead husband"(149), this line is ironic in that the mother can't get over the death of her husband. All she can bring herself to do is sit and dwell on it when in reality not...

 Caribbean Crucible Documentary Music in the Caribbean is driven by the difficult cultural roots that their society is built on and deeply rooted in tradition. For the people of the Caribbean music is ingrained in their daily lives, in their church services, and in their rituals. Church in the Caribbean is much different from western church service and is vibrant and lively and has singing throughout. Often times there is music in western church services but it is not nearly as lively and this is an example of the difference between values and culture. Singing lively songs and dancing in the church aren't just that they represent a culture as a whole that is open and active and places an emphasis on fun and singing. People throughout the Caribbean live in a vibrant environment and are constantly physically active and want to live a life that is reflective of that. I think in a way they are just a more active society than we are in the US which is good for them in terms of health in...

 Light on The Sea by John Wickham      "Light on the Sea" handles the idea of loneliness in late life. "I am so glad to see you he said" (97), this line made me think of my mother who is a CNA and takes care of elderly people. Often times residents and the elderly very excited to see their caregiver as they grow dependent on them and sometimes they can be there source of happiness. This story definitely effected me more than I thought it would, I feel a deep empathy for the elderly and believe that quality care for people in their late years is extremely important. I think this concept of a near minimum wage employee being so important to someone perplexes me. With how important quality elderly care is to a person's happiness CNAs and caregivers should be paid more and valued much higher. "Frustration it was, and confusion, that's what it was. I am glad for this peace now" (99), this line illustrates how sometimes moving to a retirement home can re...

 Blackness By Jamaica Kincaid     I found the use of the term "blackness" to be very interesting in this story as it is roughly defined but still left open to interpretation. "The blackness is visible and yet it is invisible, for I see that I cannot see it"(362), this line points to the concept of blackness being immeasurable. This interpretation of blackness most closely seems like actual darkness as well as loneliness. When you stand in the pitch-black dark there is definitely a feeling of blackness beyond the obvious nothingness, a void you fade into. Loneliness comes with this as loneliness is an immeasurable feeling of emptiness that you know is there but you can't actually quantify. "I felt myself steadied, no longer alone at sea in a small rowboat"(363), this line reinforces the idea of blackness being loneliness as I often think of being stranded at sea when I visualize loneliness. The open ocean to me presents the ultimate form of being strand...

 Dominican Women     Watching this documentary was definitely an eye-opener on the objectification and sexualization of women in the Dominican Republic. Women have been referred to as "prostituted" as they are forced into the industry by sheer demand and lacking other options. I was shocked that there is a public beach that essentially functions as a redlight district inhabited by male and female sex workers. It is the sad truth that some women have to move to selling their bodies when they run out of options in the Dominican. This is something that occurs all over the world but in the Dominican there seems to be a large presence of women essentially forced into sex work. Even in sex work some women make little to no money because men will often refuse to pay the women. Authorities won't even aid in this issue as they too are exploitative and corrupt and refuse to pay sex workers. Occupational hazards like STDs and domestic violence exist and are prevalent as well and con...

 Sunday Cricket By Jean 'Binta' Breeze          This story definitely brings to light the rivalry between the Caribbean Islanders and the British in cricket."I say God save Englan so often it is high time likkle blessing fall pon we", this line points to the disparity between England and the Caribbean that the citizens are well aware of. Cricket serves as a type of equal playing field for England and the people of the Caribbean to compete in a non-violent and competitive way. Cricket provides an outlet for people that may be upset with England and want to win against them in a constructive way. Sports also provide a pastime to keep people out of trouble and away from things like crime and drugs so in this way sports are really beneficial for the community. Cricket is a sport of British origin and despite the resentment for Britain the people of the West Indies hold they came to love the sport as their own. This is a prime example of cultural hegemony that c...

 The Folk Roots of Jamaican Cultural Identity by Edward Seaga      From the jump, this article exposes the major disadvantages people of Jamaica experience from poverty.  Families in Jamaica that choose not to breastfeed often can't afford baby food or formula and supplement milk for infants with porridge and water. Doing this quite literally forces people to not develop as well from reaching a normal weight and height all the way to literal brain function. I've always been aware of the ongoing global class-war we live in that separates the rich from the poor, but to psychologically be disadvantaged by poverty appears to me to be a whole new level of severity. "The possibility for a fully productive education is impaired when the brain is unable to reach it's full potential", this line drives home the point that impoverished kids really do not have the opportunities of those better off. When people look at the vast disparity between the lowest income groups and ...

 Dream Haiti     "Find ourselves falling hard on the deck or not being able to pay homage or balance our bills"(177), this line underlines the economic struggle that many people throughout the Caribbean face. They find selves not being able to pay the bills or to eat or to go to mass, it's something that their economic class prohibits them from. Many people do not understand the full effects of poverty and what it does to people and the marks that it leaves on their lives. Often times the bad positions like thievery and position that people find themselves in start with people not having enough money to pay their bills or make ends meet. "Vainly trying to reach judge Thomas and the Supreme Court and Miami"(186), this line shows how to many people in the Caribbean the United States are held as a land of opportunity where people can escape the inequality and poverty of the Caribbean and be on a level playing field in the United States. Where things are often colde...

   Rosena on The Mountain   This story tackles the colonial objectification of women and how the ideas and perspectives of men often took precedence over female views. "You scorn the fleeting temptations of the flesh"(125), this line sums up much of the premise of the story in that two religious men are faced with temptations of the lust of the flesh and are forced to confront this. Alain and Father Mulligan are held as pious men of god that seem in many instances to have the restraint of an elementary school student. Alain is young and in training and is faced with many temptations in life so it makes sense to me that Alain would make a mistake. Father Mulligan is a dedicated and tenured aging priest that should be able to control himself around women. If Mulligan knew he couldn't handle his impulses he shouldn't have taken Rosena with him on his expedition to find himself in the forest. It doesn't help that Rosena is interested in the two men and is actively tem...

 Haiti: Land of Tragedy, Land of Hope     The documentary follows Haiti in 2004 in a time of poverty and civil unrest in Haiti that was present long before the media brought attention to poverty in Haiti following the 2010 earthquake. Haiti has never been known for being a "great" or rich nation but I formerly believed many of Haiti's issues stemmed from the 2010 earthquake in terms of economic consequences and widespread poverty. It turns out poverty and tension were commonplace in Haiti for the better part of it's tenure as a nation. Corruption is subjective but corruption is publically deeply ingrained in Haiti's history. It seems like regardless of leadership political assassinations are commonplace and still occurred under the rule of Astride. Duvalier was long held as a corrupt and ruthless leader and granted he was, but the same things that elevated him to that status were done by Astride. Astride was more discrete in his political dealings resulting in him...