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Donna Hyppolite Dyaspora Analysis

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Joanne Hyppolite’s “Dyaspora” reveals how identity can be questioned because of differing cultural identities. “Dyaspora” shows an outlook on how Hyppolite navigates through being natively Haitian but living in the American culture. Using second person, the story draws in the reader and places them in her experience. In this scene, Hyppolite explains how it feels living in an environment where she is not like most of the others surrounding her. Using new criticism, the quotation “Outside of your house, you are forced to sink or swim in American waters” (Hyppolite 387) is analyzed.
The word forced is showing that having to choose an identity is demanded. Hyppolite’s decision to either step out of her Haitian culture, or display her real identity must be dealt with on a daily basis. Her comfortable, secure home is forcibly neglected and the nonnative culture steps into the atmosphere that …show more content…

The positive side is Hyppolite owning up to her culture and not being concerned about the surrounding cultural differences. She is choosing to live up to her true, native identity rather than being persuaded into the more abundant culture. Swim can also be taken in a negative way meaning that she is trying to swim in the culture that is dominant. Hyppolite tries to fit in but does not have the capability of getting there and is always in a constant battle of trying to reach the top in the different culture. “American waters” is the final phrase that describes the different culture that surrounds Hyppolite like an ocean and affects her identity. “American waters” show the miles of culture around her that is widely known. The American culture washes over her culture and erases it like a unique design in the sand. The culture is pulling away from her true identity because it is more dominant and causes her to choose between her Haitian culture or the American

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