Essay Questions

How does the relationship between the native Caribbeans and the Americans parallel colonialism?

The history of subjugation is a prominent theme throughout this book. This is heightened by Amron and Kinbona’s first meetings and how Kinbona is immediately put in a position of insecurity. By not being American, Kinbona is classified as “not valid” and demeaned by the white settlers. This relates to the island’s long history of slavery by white colonists acting in their own self-interest. Despite Kinbona being educated by some of the best (and also British) schools in the country, he is still at a disadvantage for not being white. This history of subjugation parallels early slave revolts in Haiti and the American South as people of color fought to regain their natural rights. This book is a thinly veiled metaphor for the way the past repeats itself due to injustice and racism.

What is the significance of the first meeting of Amron and Kinbona as it relates to the way the book ends?

Amron approaches Kinbona with a lack of trust and a leery eye. This lack of faith is representative of the direction that the white settlers (Americans) take in treating the Caribbeans. This is constantly reflected in this book through their actions and mannerisms of treatment, with subtle and not-so-subtle micro aggressions based on their race and education level. This constant subjugation tips off the residents that the American’s interests are not entirely benign, and lead them to realize that this false pretense of research is merely a ploy to get them to sell their labor and land for cheap. The original meeting between these two and the subsequent lack of trust runs deeply through this novel and inspires the ending, a revolt against white colonialism and the centuries-long suppression by those who think themselves superior solely based on race.

How does Bournehills’ decision to not urbanize apply today, in an increasingly urban world? What would be the current ramifications of an American city refusing to urbanize?

Their decision to not urbanize is related to one of the main themes of this novel: settler colonialism and how it can impact a nation for generations to come. Settler colonialism, briefly defined, is when colonists move into an area and slowly wipe out the existing culture to replace with their own. In this case, this was partially done by the British colonies and recently freed. Therefore, Bournehills has a new sense of freedom and independence, and wants to exercise it. This leads them to resist British colonialism and their impacts on their island, despite the fact that they would provide marked improvements and easements to their daily life. They have the resources to sustain their current way of life and as an isolated island, they have no fear of losing jobs to any other migrants. In contrast, in America, a city refusing to urbanize would be destroyed. Immigrants would come and take jobs, undercutting prices; state governments would raise rent and taxes and force automation. While Bournehills would most likely survive the resistance of Amron and the Americans, an American city nowadays would not.