In many instances of francophone literature, the displaced African woman is often depicted as strong, independent, and resourceful, contrasting with western portrayals of women’s roles during that time. Many African women faced hard labor and increased household responsibilities. While men typically held dominant positions, women were not excessively submissive and often reached equal levels of importance. Similarly, Caribbean literature portrays grandparents, particularly grandmothers, who have transformed from strong and independent figures into caring yet resilient individuals. Despite the limited representation among major African authors, grandparents are still crucial characters that make significant contributions. They fulfill several roles in the African community, including imparting values and cultural relevance to children, providing a consistent and dependable presence for the family, and taking on the responsibility of nurturing children. They serve as emotional, physical, and intellectual anchors for those in need.
The transmission of moral and cultural values from one generation to another is crucial in preserving a community’s identity. In African culture, grandparents, particularly grandmothers, were highly honored as they were believed to be closest to the revered ancestors. This responsibility of preserving values is evident in the texts we have studied, such as The Butterfly in the Inner City. In this story, Felicie’s grandmother, known as Man Ya, regularly influences her granddaughter and imparts various cultural values. One prominent example is the strict set of rules Man Julia imposes on Felicie, even when she goes out with her best friend Laurine for a short time. Man Julia always has a long list of rules to ensure Felicie’s adherence to cultural values.
‘Don’t go to strangers’ houses! Don’t play with boys who look up girl’ skirts! Do you understand? Don’t go too far…’ (The Butterfly in the Inner City, Pineau and Rudolph, 10-11). Man Ya emphasizes the importance of safety and order, while also offering practical advice to Felicie. At the same time, she imparts her ideals to her. Man Ya’s strong belief in education is evident throughout the book. In the first chapter, Felicie mentions her grandmother making her recite homework and the concept of schooling is mentioned multiple times. Despite being illiterate, Man Ya still values education greatly. As Felicie prepares to leave, Man Ya emphasizes the importance of her education, saying “Forget your miserable life with me, but never forget the good education you received here.” (The Butterfly in the Inner City, Pineau and Rudolph, 15). The fact that Madam Julia, Felicie’s grandmother, prioritizes her granddaughter’s education even when she has lost everything shows how highly she values a proper education. Another example of cultural ideals being conveyed is seen in the film Sugarcane Alley, where Jose looks up to an elderly man named Medouze.Medouze serves as both the grandfather figure and moral guide in Jose’s life. Through the art of storytelling, Medouze imparts culturally relevant morals and values, as storytelling plays a vital role in conveying ideals and morals within African tradition.
By taking Jose under his wing, Medouze imparts cultural standards on him through quizzing him with riddles and answering his questions, as is the role of a grandparent. Similarly, Jose’s grandmother also leaves a cultural impression on him, primarily through actions rather than words. She instills values such as pride in one’s heritage, hard work, and education. One example is when she assures Jose that money for his schooling will be available despite their financial difficulties. This emphasizes her emphasis on the importance of receiving a good education and is one of many instances in which she communicates basic cultural principles. In The Grandparent in African and African-American Literature, Hill-Lubin argues that most grandparents are determined to pass down values and ideals that will enhance their families’ lives and provide them with what they need for survival and growth. This statement is supported by the aforementioned examples, which demonstrate the determination of grandparents to provide for their relatives.
Caribbean texts illustrate the important role of grandparents in providing consistency and reliability in a child’s life. In Annie John, the grandmother’s dependability is highlighted when she appears suddenly to help nurse Annie back to health. This is especially impressive considering that a different healer was unable to achieve significant results. This exemplifies the strong bond between a child and her grandmother. Similarly, in Butterfly in the Inner City, Felicie develops a deep emotional connection with her grandmother, Man Ya. Man Ya takes on the roles of guardian and provider for Felicie until she is ten years old. Not only is she a constant presence in Felicie’s life, but she also proves her reliability when Felicie’s mother leaves and she takes on the responsibility of raising another child. Even after Felicie is taken away to France, Man Ya remains a significant presence in her granddaughter’s thoughts and dreams.The enduring notions of permanence and consistency are naturally found in grandparents due to their advanced age, indicating a potential for longevity. This enables them to fulfill their role with steadfastness and reliability, as highlighted by Mildred A. Hill-Lubin, who asserts that despite the immense hardships faced by the African family throughout history, its perseverance has often been anchored in the survival of the grandmother (The Grandmother in African and African American Literature, Hill-Lubin, 268).
The grandparents in the community play a crucial role as emotional, intellectual, and physical anchors. Their reliability and permanence make them the ideal caregivers for children who would otherwise be overwhelmed by the tumultuous nature of their surroundings. The theme of nurturing is pervasive in many of the texts we have studied. For instance, in the novel Annie John, Annie’s grandmother nurses her back to health during a prolonged illness. This illness marks Annie’s transition from childhood to individuality. Meanwhile, it is revealed that Annie’s grandmother suffered a devastating loss when her son died due to the absence of traditional medicine. Moreover, Annie’s separation from her mother further strengthens the bond between her and Ma Chess, who becomes a nurturing figure in her time of need. The concept of maternity is metaphorically depicted through imagery of a child in its mother’s womb.
“I would lie on my side, curled up like a little comma, and Ma Chess would lie next to me, curled up like a bigger comma, into which I fit.” (Annie John, Kincaid, 126). In other texts, such as Butterfly in the Inner City, Madam Julia raises her granddaughter on her own for ten years. There were moments when Man Ya would “[fall] asleep … her arms laced tightly around [Felicie] in an inescapable karate hold” (Pineau and Rudolph, 10). This might not create the most nurturing impression, but it does convey the love and care Man Ya has for her granddaughter. Felicie also acknowledges her grandmother’s abundant love, saying things like “I think she loves me even more than she says.” (11). Another example is seen in the film Sugar Cane Alley, where Jose’s grandmother constantly works to provide for him except for the occasional pipe of tobacco. She tirelessly ensures her grandson never goes hungry, although she falls ill in the middle of the movie.The remarkable thing is that even when she is experiencing her worst symptoms, she continues to prioritize Jose’s imaginary hunger over her own well-being. These consistent acts of selflessness reflect the nurturing nature of a grandmother’s heart.
Grandparents are important and respected figures in most families, but their roles can differ. In Caribbean literature influenced by African heritage, grandparents are portrayed differently. They are not depicted as weak and vulnerable like in western media, but rather as valuable contributors to the community. They fulfill important functions such as passing on cultural values, providing a consistent and reliable presence, and nurturing the youth when parents are absent. These duties are significant and warrant not just respect, but also celebration.
Works Cited
* Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid
* Butterfly in the Inner City by G. Pineau and K.L Rudolph
* The Grandmother in African and African American Literature: A Survivor of the African Extended Family by Mildred A. Hill-Lubin
* Sugar Cane Alley / Rue Cases-Negres (film)
