Student Blogs

Zobel’s “Black Shack Alley” was an amazing read. Following the life of José we see his slow innocent realization of poverty and the world he was born into. José represents the numerous challenges and discrimination due to his race and socioeconomic status, but José is determined to improve his circumstances. I really liked how this text went into great detail about the interactions and memories of José’s childhood. Through this, José unfolds his memories but also depicts his shifted perspective of his reality. One theme that I really appreciated in...read more read full post >>

“Long was my sorrow” (147)  This phrase echoed my feelings as I delved into Zobel’s grabbing narrative of injustice and resilience within the confines of Black Shack Alley. This piece intricately weaves together the lives of its characters, immersing me into a world where inequality and tragedy thrive, and many are left behind. Although I […] read full post >>

“Deep Rivers,” through the perspective of Ernesto, vividly portrays the coming-of-age journey of a young boy, intricately interweaving themes of culture, identity, social justice, and the beauty of nature. Some stories, whether fiction or non-fiction, may not present significant ups and downs when read. Arguedas utilizes Ernesto’s viewpoint to narrate the entire story, rendering the […] read full post >>

Joseph Zobel's "Black Shack Alley," originally the French work "La Rue Cases-Nègres," translated into English by Keith Q. Warner, offers readers a deep insight into the harsh realities of post-slavery Martinique through the eyes of its protagonist, Jo... read full post >>

Joseph Zobel's "Black Shack Alley," originally the French work "La Rue Cases-Nègres," translated into English by Keith Q. Warner, offers readers a deep insight into the harsh realities of post-slavery Martinique through the eyes of its protagonist, Jo... read full post >>

I enjoyed Zobel's "Black Shack Alley" very much. At first, I was a little intimidated by the number of pages, but once I started reading, I was glued to it. It is definitely one of my favourites so far. Not only does it raise awareness, but it is told ... read full post >>

I enjoyed Zobel's "Black Shack Alley" very much. At first, I was a little intimidated by the number of pages, but once I started reading, I was glued to it. It is definitely one of my favourites so far. Not only does it raise awareness, but it is told ... read full post >>

Black Shack Alley by Joseph Zobel has to be my favourite novel we have read in class so far. The story of transformation and expectations is one I think many people can relate to, even in today’s society. One thing about the novel that particularly stuck out to me, was the way Zobel wrote about […] read full post >>

“Deep Rivers” by José María Arguedas delves into the intricate dynamics of culture, identity, and the internal conflicts faced by its central character, Ernesto. Unfolding within a societal backdrop marked by ethnic divisions, the novel portrays Ernesto navigating the tumultuous waters of adolescence, contending with two worlds that refuse to coexist harmoniously, even within his […] read full post >>

The early 20th-century French Caribbean island of Martinique serves as the setting for Joseph Zobel’s book Black Shack Alley. The story revolves around José, a young child of mixed ethnic background, and his struggle to define himself in a world defined by racism, colonialism, and social injustice. The book tracks José’s early life and development […] read full post >>

Despite finding “Black Shack Alley” a bit slow-going at first, I appreciate how Zobel depicts the reality of Caribbean society following the abolition of slavery in implicit, but nevertheless, powerful ways. His emphasis on the sense of community throughout the novel goes hand in hand with the idea of resistance. Zobel illustrates his childhood memories, […] read full post >>

I enjoyed this week’s reading of Black Shack Alley. I found it fairly easy to follow along yet it was still filled with intricate descriptions and exciting moments. One thing I really liked was how the book set a tone of childhood and youthfulness. I got a good sense of what life is like in […] read full post >>

Favourite book so far.  The first section of the book where José describes the alley was the most impactful to me. There is a strong sense of imagery and I think the setting is very well built. This section is … Continue reading → read full post >>

Hey everyone!  This week I read Black Shack Alley written by Zobel. I didn’t enjoy this novel as much as I have enjoyed the other reading material in this course. I found it a bit slow to start, but I found it interesting in regards to the way it discusses themes of race, class and […] read full post >>

Black Shack Alley is probably my favourite novel compared to the others we have read in this class. I noticed that in most of the books we’ve read so far, literature has a significant effect on the protagonist of the book. For Jose, books allowed him to deepen his knowledge of the world. He saw […] read full post >>