Jamaica Kincaid was born in Antigua, an island located in the Carribeans. She experienced life on Antigua under English rule, which ended in 1981 when she was thirty two years old. In her memoir “On Seeing England for the First Time”, Kincaid portrays England’s influence over Antigua in a negative aspect through her use of repetition and diction.
Kincaid expresses her dislike of England by repeating certain phrases. The most noticeable way she applies repetition is when she mentions “England for the first time” in the first sentence of each paragraph other than the conclusion. Kincaid cannot escape the reality of the English influence that governs her life, therefore she traps the reader in her world starting in the beginning of each paragraph. Also, she explains how everything in her life is “made in England”. Everything from the objects she utilizes in everyday activities and various aspects of life is marked with “made in England”. Antigua is even considered “made in England” because it is essentially a copy of a British city. Her frustration builds up to the point where she states that she is infact a product of England. The English influence continues to dominate her life by trying to make her
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She points out that the map she was given to analyze consisted of “squiggly veins of red” to illustrate England as a living entity. Kincaid also identifies England as a “very special jewel” which only specific people can wear. Through this statement she makes, she indicated that English people are above all because they are special like a jewel. Another way she conveys her sarcasm is by claiming England was “the source of her myth”. Myths are generally defined as ideas, such as beliefs or locations, that are not of the norm. This word is used in cultures to convey divine characteristics. Thus, Kincaid mocks England by portraying it as a mythical