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Since its publication in 1985, Annie John has become one of
the most widely taught novels in American high schools. Part of its
appeal lies in its unique setting, the island of Antigua. This interdisciplinary
collection of 30 primary documents and commentary will enrich
the reader’s understanding of the historical, social, and cultural
contexts of the novel. Among the topics examined are slavery
in the Caribbean, the various religions in the Caribbean islands,
the controversy over Christopher Columbus, family life in Antigua,
and emigrations from the West Indies to the United States. Sources
include newspaper and magazine articles, editorials, first-person
narratives and memoirs of life in the Caribbean, letters, and position
papers.
Most of the documents are not readily available in any other printed
form. A literary analysis of Annie John examines
the novel in light of its historical, social, and cultural contexts
and as a coming-of-age novel. Each chapter concludes with study
questions and topics for research papers and class discussion based
on the documents in the chapter, and lists of further reading for
examining the themes and issues raised by the novel. This sourcebook
is valuable to students and teachers to help them understand the setting
of the novel, its themes, and its young heroine.
In addition, this online sourcebook provides the user access to:
- An interview with
Jamaica Kincaid highlighting the beginnings of her writing career in the United
States and her years writing for the New Yorker
- Audio of Jamaica Kincaid discussing her childhood
- History and Culture of Antigua and Barbuola
- History of the transatlantic slave trade
- Middle Passage: Online illustrations of life on the slave
ships
- Panama Canal photo history
- John Wesley Site, founder of Methodism Online Exhibit
- Sites exploring African Religions and the History of
the Morovian Church
- Glossary of cultural
references and historical idioms from Annie
John
- Web-based study
questions
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