Abstract The author points out that David Michael Kaplan's "Doe Season" makes use of dream sequences to add dramatic intensity to its plot; V.S. Naipaul's "B. Wordsworth" makes use of dream-like qualities of narration and character to create a dream-like narrative texture to its episodic plot structure. The author points out that dreams do not afford either short story a sharply delineated plot structure; Kaplan chooses to give his story a strong plot line; whereas, Naipaul does not. The paper concludes that, in both tales, the use of dream's symbolism gives an added quality and intensity to the psychology of the developing protagonists, which the stories would lack if dreams were not included into the narrative sequence.
From the Paper "Andy, of David Kaplan's "Doe Season," is a young woman who has killed a deer. In her dreams, she encounters the murdered deer, where she touches the heart of the animal she helped hunt and kill. Despite the fact that the action of touching the heart occurs in her mind, it is equally as potent for the young woman as the actual act of killing the deer, psychologically. Unlike Naipaul's story, however, "Doe Hunting" has a real-life external structure and narrative that has a more concrete verbal and narrative texture to it, although it is also true that some of the dramatic, real-life events of Kaplan's story have a dream-like intensity. For instance, over the course of the hunting vacation, when she is swimming in the sea, the young girl Andy, whom will kill the doe of the title, sees her mother lose her bathing suit by accident."
Abstract The paper examines Naipaul's stories in "In A Free State" and discusses how, although the author uses the setting of neo-colonial Africa, one can discern subtle elements of Caribbean culture. The paper focuses on the nature and effects of colonialism in Africa and the Caribbean.
Outline:
Africa and Colonialism
Colonialism and the Caribbean
Naipaul on Colonialism
Discussion and Conclusion
From the Paper "Although this book is advertised as a novel, it is truly a series of three short stories tied together by a prologue and an epilogue. What this book does deliver is a dark look at African life. Looking deeper at the subject matter, however, some suggestion exists of the influence that Caribbean life has had on the author. That he has chosen to focus on the Indian experience and that of neocolonial Africa make this story grouping interesting. Instead of setting them in the Caribbean of his childhood, Naipaul has taken some of the influences that he experienced there and used them in another setting."
Abstract The essay explains two theories for the worsening position of third world countries: Underdevelopment Theory and Economic Liberalism, which blames the external world economy and the social and political systems of the third world countries themselves, respectively. The essay then turns to VS Naipaul's novel and shows that the author implies support for the position of Economic Liberalism.
From the Paper "The general philosophy of Underdevelopment is that the international economy operates systematically to sustain underdevelopment and distort the economies of the less developed economies. [Greene, F p 142] and that this system is detrimental to the poorer economies. The book does not support this position. The nation described, newly independent, was experiencing it's own economic woes directly related to internal issues "there were other traders, other foreigners; some of them had been there right through the troubles. The peace held". [p. 10]"
Abstract This paper reviews two books of the post-colonial genre: "Half a life" by V.S. Naipaul and "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy. It looks at the books? respective comments on the culture and values of the authors. The thematic commonality of culture acceptance in the books is explored, as is the phenomenon of the "push-pull contest" between cultures. The paper concludes with a list of similarities and differences between the two novels.
From the Paper "The post colonial era in most areas provided the residents with a confusing state of existence. The old cultures were still in force, with all the traditions, beliefs and values that they held in the past, however the new cultures also had their place among the people. The post colonial era was a push and pull styled existence with the people living them caught in the middle of the apparent tug a war between cultures. The opposites of the cultures were handled in postcolonial writing by displaying the constant push-pull contest that seemed to be the norm for the time. Two popular works of fiction provide classic examples of this phenomona taking place for those who embrace the area as their home. In "Half a life" written by V.S. Naipaul and "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy, the reader is treated to a wonderful comparison of ways that these opposite situations can be displayed and enjoyed through the way it is expressed by the author."
This paper looks at V.S. Naipaul's book "Beyond Belief: Islamic Excursions Among the Converted Peoples", a non-fiction book that tells the true stories of many peoples? lives and beliefs.
Abstract The writer states that V. S. Naipaul is an accomplished fiction writer, as well as having a great deal of experience in the non-fiction field. The effect of this seeming contradiction is to draw the reader more deeply into the lives and situations of the people being discussed. The book is actually an exploration of what life is like for followers of Islam who live in the non-Arab countries. His primary focus is on Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, and Malaysia.
From the Paper "Naipaul's motivation was to explore the way Islamic beliefs were affecting both the non-Islamic population and the Islamic population of these countries. All of the nations have an old and complex society, with many of the central precepts not a part of Muslim theology. Islamic and non-Islamic relations range from very good to very difficult, in part depending on the historical background in the specific nations. Although the cultures are ancient, many of the countries are relatively young in their present political situations. This represents another area to explore, since the recent insurgence of Islam could be a problem to a relatively new government."
The paper analyzes the book "Miguel Street" by V. S. Naipaul, a story of the poor people of Trinidad, and how they deal with their poverty with humor and pathos.
Abstract The paper summarizes the content of the book and examines the random and haphazard nature in which the narration is presented. The paper discusses the main thesis of the novel and looks at how the different characters' stories are portrayed in separate sections for each one. It also mentions the humor used in the book, despite the tragic nature of the narrative.
From the Paper ""Miguel Street" is more than just a story about the poor people of Trinidad. It is a story of hope, despair, poverty, and laughter, and one that I enjoyed reading very much. It is the story of distinct individuals who live in destitution, but still have hope for the future. It celebrates the uniqueness of people, along with their daily courage and stubbornness. The narrator escapes from the neighborhood, but as the story reveals, he can never escape his background, and his love for the people of Miguel Street."
Abstract In their own unique way, Edwidge Danticat and V. S. Naipaul illuminate the consequences of colonialism. In so doing, they provide scenes of cruelty, violence, deceit and lies. This is a vital vehicle through which the writer is able to demonstrate the horror behind the issue of colonialism and identity. Some of the books looked at are "Breath, Eyes, Memory" and "Miguel Street".
Abstract This paper analyzes the symbolism behind two distinct novels that deal with issues of exile, political strife and social turmoil - V.S. Naipaul's "A Bend in the River" and "The Wide Sargasso Sea" by Jean Rhys. The paper explains how both books utilize nature in many ways as an association and correlation to the themes in their respective novels. The paper also looks at how there is a sense of duality in both books, as nature can depict a tide of change in addition to a resistance by a people to maintain tradition and a way of life that is invaded by unnatural intruders. The paper also discusses how the interpretation of literary symbols in classic novels has always been imperative to understanding the full scope of an author's message. Additionally, the paper shows that both Naipual and Rhys utilize nature to formulate strong symbolic meanings and associate them to the domination of European culture and the notion that colonization fragments Africa from its way of life.
From the Paper "Naipaul's main character Salim in A Bend in the River takes a ritual journey through Africa which is loaded with numerous metaphors and 'coming of age' events. Salim's realization of the neurosis during colonization and the indigenous social conflict is especially realized when he travels outside of Africa. In his education, he encounters a great deal of realities that shape his perception of Westernization and he quickly begins to realize the pending abomination that is to result from Western influence in his homeland. To further indicate this importance, Naipaul utilizes water to paint a picture of stillness and change. This duality extends to the natural resources that surround the river, similar to the journey of Conrad in The Heart of Darkness. The contrast here is not the personal battle against Africa, Salim is more cognizant of his native surroundings and understands the futility and destruction that will be realized with the synthesis of two conflicting ideologies."
Tags: duality, nature, political, strife, social, turmoil, homeland, water
Abstract This paper analyzes V.S. Naipaul's work, "Miguel Street", and the tone of the mood set in the story. The paper relates that the book at first seems like a sentimental and affectionate remembrance of the early life of the narrator, but in reality, it is rift with an undercurrent of dissatisfaction within the author/narrator (Naipul), not with himself, but with the environment that he grows up in. In a sense, the author seems to be saying, that the rich and ethnic environment portrayed in the book is actually limited and cut off, and ultimately hopeless.
From the Paper "This tone of mood shift is important to overall attitudes which Naipaul is expressing, because the lightness of the mood seems to always be brought down with an underlying sense of the boundaries or limits of the environment that the characters are in. These ethnic and rich recreations are demonstrative of his skills as a writer, but they do not imply a greater love or affection for the place, as is commonly associated with remembrances of childhood that are powerful environmental recreations. The recreation is powerful and rich, but it does not seem to be a labor of love, and the mood shifts are indicative of a sense of desperation within the author over the subject that he is described, the environment that he lived in as a child. "
