When talking about illicit relationships that make all of us uncomfortable in some way or the other this class ate and left no crumbs, so did this book honestly. But this was definitely an interesting read, I also think it might be the best one so far. Duras’s story goes well beyond a straightforward romance […]
Posted in Blogs, Duras | Tagged with book-reviews, books, fiction, love, non-linear, Social Issues, Taylor swift, The Lover, writing, writing-tips
There is an inherent classist structure which dominates the life described by Zobel, from the plantation workers to the Beke wealthy white island-dwellers. What struck me as interesting was the underlying Marxist tensions of the world that Zobel describes, and which is developed and more apparent in a few choice scenes, especially concerning Jose’s schooling, and his uncertain future working on the island.
The school scenes provide the most detailed development of these themes, especially when contrasted with a future of manual labour. In school, the teacher asks them to repeat the answers to the questions over and over in hopes of memorization. Rather than learn through understanding, it is hopes that pure repetition will create a positive experience and outcome. This is not an enviable way to learn and the class struggles with this method. It also showcases one of Marx’s main critiques of the modern labour era, where repetition and input were prized over creativity, or foundational ability.
We can see the flip side of this argument later, when Jose reveals that his marks are improving, and that he finally feels successful later in his third term, as he is finally “contributing to the class”. Marx believed that like students, workers would only be satisfied in their work if they were able to contribute to the end goal of the production in a meaningful way. Simply doing meaningless or repetitive tasks would not bring them satisfaction at work. Here, Jose feels like is improving and adding to the class and his education, and his ability is improving, as Marx writes in his critiques of work and classism.
I think overall, these themes are very important to the world of Black Shack Alley. The colonial nature of their life on the island makes these issues important–work and especially where these oppressed citizens work is key to their livelihood. M’man Tine says that Jose won’t have to work in the plantations like the rest of their community, and instead he may be able to work in the factory, which Jose likens to his new big school he attends outside of the village. The segregation of the people, and the nature of the work which rules their lives in Martinique exemplify much of Marx’s principles, and their is a deep social commentary at work here, as Zobel narrates his account of life on the island under colonial rule.
What social issues can you compare from Black Shack Alley with problems in current Western culture? Is colonialism, and the problems which stem from it, still affecting certain groups’ daily lives?
Posted in Blogs, Zobel | Tagged with Marx, Social Issues
There is an inherent classist structure which dominates the life described by Zobel, from the plantation workers to the Beke wealthy white island-dwellers. What struck me as interesting was the underlying Marxist tensions of the world that Zobel describes, and which is developed and more apparent in a few choice scenes, especially concerning Jose’s schooling, and his uncertain future working on the island.
The school scenes provide the most detailed development of these themes, especially when contrasted with a future of manual labour. In school, the teacher asks them to repeat the answers to the questions over and over in hopes of memorization. Rather than learn through understanding, it is hopes that pure repetition will create a positive experience and outcome. This is not an enviable way to learn and the class struggles with this method. It also showcases one of Marx’s main critiques of the modern labour era, where repetition and input were prized over creativity, or foundational ability.
We can see the flip side of this argument later, when Jose reveals that his marks are improving, and that he finally feels successful later in his third term, as he is finally “contributing to the class”. Marx believed that like students, workers would only be satisfied in their work if they were able to contribute to the end goal of the production in a meaningful way. Simply doing meaningless or repetitive tasks would not bring them satisfaction at work. Here, Jose feels like is improving and adding to the class and his education, and his ability is improving, as Marx writes in his critiques of work and classism.
I think overall, these themes are very important to the world of Black Shack Alley. The colonial nature of their life on the island makes these issues important–work and especially where these oppressed citizens work is key to their livelihood. M’man Tine says that Jose won’t have to work in the plantations like the rest of their community, and instead he may be able to work in the factory, which Jose likens to his new big school he attends outside of the village. The segregation of the people, and the nature of the work which rules their lives in Martinique exemplify much of Marx’s principles, and their is a deep social commentary at work here, as Zobel narrates his account of life on the island under colonial rule.
What social issues can you compare from Black Shack Alley with problems in current Western culture? Is colonialism, and the problems which stem from it, still affecting certain groups’ daily lives?
Posted in Blogs, Zobel | Tagged with Marx, Social Issues
