Analysis Of Jamaica Kincaid s The Autobiography Of My...

Prompt #3: Discuss how the motif of garments in Jamaica Kincaid’s The Autobiography of My Mother supports Xuela’s self-discovery through boundary crossing. From the point of view of Xuela Claudette Desvarieux, Jamaica Kincaid presents a powerful account of how race, gender, class, and the power of the individual intermingle and clash in colonial society. This paper will examine the role of garments in the novel and how they contribute to Xuela’s view of society. Although I can easily expand the motif of garments to include all means of self-expression, such as styling hair et cetera, this paper will be a focused analysis of only material-clothing garments. This will lead to a more in-depth analysis of the motif. Throughout her life,†¦show more content†¦These observations show that Alfred’s uniform becomes his identity, but he really doesn’t realize his new dual identity: the way he perceives himself and the way others perceive him. Alfred believes that he is a man full of virtue, while society views him as â€Å"properly cruel and unkind to people who did not deserve it.† (200). While the uni form morphs Alfred’s personal identity, society still perceives him the same as before. Alfred believes that his uniform brings virtue, but â€Å"†¦when people saw him wearing it coming toward them, made them afraid†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (25). The virtue that Alfred believes the uniform brings does not fool society. Society sees Alfred as having been â€Å"properly cruel and unkind to people who did not deserve it.† (200). In addition to Alfred’s police uniform bringing him artificial social power, his uniform also changes Alfred’s view of himself. This is important to Xuela because it alienates her from her father. Even early in Xuela’s life, on page 25, Xuela wishes that Alfred would not wear his uniform. A second example of a morphing of identity comes up in Madame LaBatte giving Xuela her dress the first time. The dress still fits Madam, or Lise, but Lise gives it to Xuela to â€Å"†¦make a gift of me [Xuela] to her [Lise’s] h usband†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (68). Lise is trying to make Xuela into herself by giving her the dress. Later, Lise gives Xuela another dress, which fits Xuela perfectly, but