Summary
The theme of a story is its underlying message or moral. It is the main idea or lesson that the author is trying to pass on to the reader and can often be revealed through characters, symbols, and the plot. A theme can be broad, such as ‘the power of love,’ or more specific, such as ‘never give up on your dreams.’ Therefore, this essay will discuss themes such as religion and education as portrayed in the Masters of the Dew and Sugar Cane Alley novels.
Religion in Masters of the Dew
Religion is significant in Jacques Roumain’s novel Masters of the Dew. Throughout the novel, the characters’ faith explains their behavior and the motivations for their decisions. Religion is a source of strength and comfort, mainly because it can unite people and provide hope in times of despair.
Manuel, the main protagonist, encounters Annaise, a woman who initially displays hostility toward him due to his background. When he returns home, he finds his family and friends affected by the drought. However, as he continues to pray and work hard toward rebuilding the community, he contributes to its gradual revival, which his fellow citizens continue to pursue even after he tragically dies (Roumain 83). Specifically, Manuel views the path of a believer as that of a blind person being guided and supported by faith: “Experience is the cane of the blind” (Roumain 83). That shows how important their faith is to the family and how it gives them the strength to confront difficult situations.
Another example of religion’s significance in the novel is the characters’ reliance on the power of God. Viewed as a mysterious force that cannot be questioned and is to be accepted no matter what He inflicts upon people, God is represented as an all-powerful and mysterious being: “We’re all going to die. Animals, plants, every living soul! Oh, Jesus! Mary, Mother of God!” (Roumain 23). The specified characteristic of the characters’ beliefs and their overall concept of religion defines the presence of a lingering sense of doom in the novel.
Education and Knowledge in Sugar Cane Alley
Education/knowledge is learning and understanding facts, concepts, and skills. It is acquiring skills and knowledge through experience, study, or instruction. In Joseph Zobel’s novel Sugar Cane Alley, education is a central theme. It is presented as a tool to break the cycle of poverty and oppression faced by Black people in Martinique.
The main character, José, is determined to use education to gain autonomy and improve his life. That is most clearly seen when José’s grandmother, Mémé, is determined to send him to school to break free from their poverty (“Sugar Cane Alley-Final.mp4”). She tells José, “You must study, so you won’t have to stay in the cane fields all your life” (qtd. in Ebrahim 28).
Mémé is determined to have José attend school because she wants José to gain the knowledge and education necessary for him to move up in society. She tells José, “You must learn to think, so you can always find a way out of difficulties. A man who can’t think is the most wretched of all creatures” (qtd. in Ebrahim 28). Mémé believes that education is the key to José’s success and autonomy, and she is determined to ensure he has it.
Throughout the novel, José is seen as a symbol of knowledge and education. His intelligence is often presented as a way to combat the oppression he and other Black people face. He is seen as a leader and a role model to the other children in the village. José is a source of hope and inspiration for the other children, who respect his knowledge and look up to him (qtd. in Ebrahim). Even when faced with obstacles and racism, José continues to pursue education and is determined to do whatever it takes to better his life.
The Notion of Community and Human Relations
Sugar Cane Alley
In Joseph Zobel’s novel Sugar Cane Alley, community and human relations are central themes. Throughout the story, the characters display solid familial bonds and support one another. Joseph Gérard, the novel’s protagonist, is surrounded by a community of people who deeply love and care for him. His grandmother, M’man Célestine, is an influential figure in his life and a source of strength and support for him (“Sugar Cane Alley-Final.mp4”). She is always willing to give Joseph guidance and advice and shows him how to live with grace and dignity.
M’man Célestine’s influence on Joseph reflects the importance of community in Sugar Cane Alley. As M’man Célestine states, “You are not alone in the world, my child. You have a family. And you have your neighbors. No one can live alone” (qtd. in Ebrahim 15). Through her words, she is emphasizing the importance of community and human relations in Joseph’s life. The idea of community is also seen in the broader context of the novel.
Sugar Cane Alley is a community of African-Caribbean people facing discrimination and poverty, yet they can unite to support each other. That is seen in the people’s willingness to share their resources and help each other in difficult times (“Sugar Cane Alley-Final.mp4”). The community is also a source of strength and resilience in adversity. Through their support of each other, they can overcome the struggles they face and create a better life for themselves.
The relationships between the characters in Sugar Cane Alley also reflect the importance of community. Joseph is close to his friends, especially his best friend, Ti Paul. The two share a special bond, and Joseph relies on Ti Paul for his support and companionship. Furthermore, Joseph and Ti Paul’s relationship also represents the bonds that can be formed through the community. Joseph states, “I see in Ti Paul a brother, a friend, a comrade” (qtd. in Ebrahim 27).
Masters of the Dew
The idea of community has existed since the dawn of human civilization, with ancient societies living and working together to survive. In the novel Masters of the Dew by Jacques Roumain, the characters and the setting highlight and reinforce this idea of community. The novel’s opening sets the tone, with Malienne’s grandmother’s proverbs emphasizing the importance of communal living and cooperation. That is further stressed through the characters’ interactions, as they are all linked and dependent on each other and their shared goal of preserving the village’s way of life.
Furthermore, the novel explores the idea of community and human relations through the lens of a young girl, Malienne, who grew up in rural Haiti. The object of her admiration is her grandmother, who is presented as an embodiment of the community and its values. Throughout the novel, her grandmother’s influence and the influence of the people in the village are demonstrated to be of utmost importance in developing Malienne’s character.
The novel takes place in a small rural village in Haiti, and this setting further reinforces the concept of community. The village is presented as a tightly-knit group of people connected and dependent on one another. That is highlighted through the characters’ interactions, where they work together to survive and ensure the safety and prosperity of the village. For instance, when the villagers are threatened by drought, they build an irrigation system and collect water from the nearby river. Through this, the reader is presented with the idea that working together as a community is essential to survive.
The idea of community is also emphasized through the characters’ relationships with each other. The characters’ interactions are all based on mutual respect and understanding, and they are all connected through a shared history and values. That is highlighted in the novel when Malienne’s grandmother states, “We have been living together since time immemorial” (Roumain 58). Here, the reader is presented with the idea that the characters’ connections to each other are based on much more than just geography – they are connected through shared values and shared experiences.
The importance of human relations is also explored in Masters of the Dew. Malienne’s grandmother is presented as a community pillar and is respected and admired by all. The village seeks her advice and wisdom, and her words are seen as a source of guidance and reassurance. That is exemplified in a scene where she is asked for advice on how to deal with a difficult situation, and she responds, “Look for a solution that will satisfy everyone” (Roumain 56). Here, her emphasis on considering the needs of others is representative of the importance of human relations in the village.
Works Cited
“Sugar Cane Alley-Final.mp4.” Google Docs. Web.
Ebrahim, Haseenah. “‘Sugar Cane Alley’: Re-Reading Race, Class and Identity In Zobel’s ‘La Rue Cases Nègres.’” Literature/Film Quarterly, vol. 30, no. 2, 2002, pp. 146–52. JSTOR. Web.
Roumain, Jacques. “Masters of the Dew.” Internet Archive, Oxford; Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann, 1997. Web.