Self-determination
is characterized by the act of making up your own mind about what to think or do free from
outside influence; the right to decide upon political status and affiliation,
and the freedom to decide who and what you are.
I wasn't expecting an exploration of self-determination in this read but rather a story of personal fortitude. As with the other books we've read this semester, I found the answers to many of my questions pertaining to my writing. What genre is my work? Am I within the lines or outside the borders of my genre? In School Days, unknowingly, Patrick Chamoiseau addresses my questions as he takes full advantage of
self-determination. In the first
section, Longing, Chamoiseau uses the following to identify the protagonist:
The little black boy
The child
The little boy
The bullish child
Little monster
Quacking Chicky
The impious One
The Tormentor
The Impatient One
It could be argued that
these names are simply adjectives used to add variety or to keep the reader engaged.
They can also be viewed as naming conventions created to continue referring to
"I" in the third person. While
both are true, there is another dimension—multiple characters encompassed in one. With solid craft, good writing is the result no matter what the genre or writing style.
In the first sentence of the book, Chamoiseau introduces skin color and plot, "the little black boy made a mistake begging for school (pg. 11). The reader is immediately grounded in the story and called to witness the mistake and listen to the confession. The little black boy is not mentioned again. Its as if he is introduced to the reader as someone identified by an outsider who sees the protagonist first as a color then a little boy. The little black boy is then identified introspectively as "the child (pg. 12)" followed by "the little boy (pg. 13). " With mastery, Chamoiseau continues layering the character, adding depth and tension, "That mulish child made himself into the martyr of the century (pg. 16)." Could it be that writing in third person creates distance between the writer and the story thereby making it manageable to write about someone else rather than self?
Among other things, what I've learned from this book is that there is not much difference between self-determination, personal fortitude and writing style. One is deciding to be a writer, the other is writing using your own voice rather than one you're told to use--personal fortitude is the fuel. Chamoiseau, writes about navigating cultures, language and finding a way to survive. His book is as much about determining the writing process as it is about determining self.
In the first sentence of the book, Chamoiseau introduces skin color and plot, "the little black boy made a mistake begging for school (pg. 11). The reader is immediately grounded in the story and called to witness the mistake and listen to the confession. The little black boy is not mentioned again. Its as if he is introduced to the reader as someone identified by an outsider who sees the protagonist first as a color then a little boy. The little black boy is then identified introspectively as "the child (pg. 12)" followed by "the little boy (pg. 13). " With mastery, Chamoiseau continues layering the character, adding depth and tension, "That mulish child made himself into the martyr of the century (pg. 16)." Could it be that writing in third person creates distance between the writer and the story thereby making it manageable to write about someone else rather than self?
Among other things, what I've learned from this book is that there is not much difference between self-determination, personal fortitude and writing style. One is deciding to be a writer, the other is writing using your own voice rather than one you're told to use--personal fortitude is the fuel. Chamoiseau, writes about navigating cultures, language and finding a way to survive. His book is as much about determining the writing process as it is about determining self.
What a great and revealing post. Apparently, according to the translator, in the original, he is Little black boy all the way through, but she asked him to shift it for the translation and what that means to the american audience. hm.. but on the other hand, the self-determination aspect as reflected in the writing as well as the story is a brilliant point and that is a form equals content moment that is noticeable.
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Interesting...I think the book in its original version would read more like a poem if "little black boy" were used consistently throughout. In doing so, 'little black boy" would be a mockery to colonization thereby making the point that "little black boys" are brilliant survivors.
ReplyDeleteYour blog makes me think differently about why he uses "the little black boy" to talk about himself as a main character. At first, I wondered why he didn't tell this story in first person, especially since this is categorized as a memoir. But now, reading the description of the "little black boy" you posted here, and reflecting back on the story, Chamoiseau telling this from a distance, with himself as a character and as narrator, allows for us to see him from multiple angles and we get a broader view of this world.
ReplyDeleteRashida, I agree. The triple threat of race, gender and class are in effect as they relate to a young boy coming of age under colonial rule. This book has so many layers.
ReplyDeleteBunny ears all around. This is one of the areas that brings so much depth to the child and examines the multi-layered self beautifully. As for the question around 3rd POV, I've found that the memoirs I've encountered that take full advantage of this craft choice are able to look at complicated relationships or conflicts in a way that sometimes gets lost in 1st person. I agree that it seems easier for writers to see themselves as characters in 3rd person as well. I really love the author's choice because I can better understand the relationships he has to the teacher and belly button (what great contrast and parts of himself). Also, so much more about the character is revealed because of the narrators broaden range, going beyond the limitations that can occur with having a child narrator speaking in1st person. Lovely observations!
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