Дата публикации: 13.10.2024
EXPLORING THE LIVES AND STRUGGLES OF BLACK WOMEN:
AN ANALYSIS OF THE NOVEL "GIRL, WOMAN, OTHER" AND ITS IMPORTANCE
IN ENGLISH ARTISTIC DISCOURSE
Сарсенгалиева Ж.Ж.
Магистрант 1 курса Иностранной филологии
Казахский университет международных отношений
и мировых языков имени Абылай хана
Abstract: This article analyzes the novel "Girl, Woman, other" by Bernardine Evaristo with an emphasis on the study of the lives and struggles of black women. The novel is considered as an important element of English artistic discourse, reflecting the social and cultural aspects of modern society in the 21st century. The work analyzes the themes of racial and gender identity, class differences, sexuality and physicality through the prism of various characters and storylines. The study offers new perspectives for the study of black women's literature and contributes to a deeper understanding of the multiple aspects of modern societies
Keywords: artistic discourse, feminism, racial and gender inequality, identity, freedom, discrimination, slavery
The novel "Girl, Woman, Other" by Bernardine Evaristo is a prime example of a work that explores the lives of black women. One of the key elements of the novel's artistic discourse is the use of polyphony, which allows the author to explore various aspects and experiences of black women through the prism of their own experiences. Evaristo introduces the reader to the atmosphere between the characters by revealing their inner monologues and reflecting their own reflections, which enriches the reader's understanding of their emotional state.
Bernardine Evaristo, a famous British writer and activist who was born in London in 1959 to a family of immigrants from Nigeria, is an example of a writer whose work actively reflects racial and gender issues. Her novels are not only significant works, but also powerful tools for fighting for the recognition and equal rights of black women in society. Actively participating in social movements, she supports initiatives to combat discrimination and violence, especially against women of national minorities.
Her epic novel «Girl, Woman, Other» illustrates this theme in practice, covering more than two hundred years of the history of black women in Britain. The novel consists of a variety of short stories crossing temporal and spatial boundaries to tell the stories of various women and their descendants. Each chapter of the novel is a kind of plot thread that allows the reader to immerse themselves in the lives and experiences of the heroines. This work is a prime example of how literature can serve as a powerful tool to highlight and fight for the rights and recognition of black women in society.
The use of various literary genres and styles in the novel "Girl, Woman, Other" not only creates a multidimensional and rich text, but also helps the author, Bernardine Evaristo, to emphasize the deep problematic of the topics under study. Evaristo easily switches from one character to another, freely moves between times, uniting them with a common theme and motive of exploring the identity and freedom of black women. This versatility in the presentation of the material helps the reader to delve deeper into the world of heroines and realize the complexity of their destinies.
1. Racial and gender identity:
The main character Amma goes through a struggle with her own identity in multinational London. Here is an example from the novel "Girl, woman, other", illustrating the struggle of the main character Amma with her own racial identity:
"Amma was standing in front of the mirror, looking at her reflection with a tired expression in her eyes. She knew that her black skin was a barrier to acceptance in multinational London. Despite the fact that she possessed confidence and strength, she felt invisible inside, as if her real personality was lost among the stereotypes and biases of the world around her. But Amma decided not to hide or make excuses. Instead, she decided to embrace her identity and fight for her place in society, despite all the obstacles she had to face."
This example demonstrates how Amma, in her struggle with racial identity, expresses her strength and determination to accept herself for who she is, despite social expectations and stereotypes.
2. Cultural contradictions and integration:
The novel also raises issues of cultural conflict and integration through the stories of characters, many of whom have migration experiences. For example, Morgan, one of the heroines, talks about her attempts to combine African and British traditions in her family. This reflects the difficulties that people face in trying to preserve their cultural identity in a new environment:
"I sigh heavily, feeling what a difficult or deal it is to live in two worlds, in two cultures. But I'm not giving up. I continue to seek a balance, striving to combine my African roots with the British lifestyle. After all, my cultural identity is a part of me, and I am not ready to give it up, even in a world where globalization seeks to make everyone the same."
3. Historical heritage and memory:
Evaristo pays attention to the historical heritage of black women and their contribution to society. She describes events such as the civil rights movement and the fight against slavery through the eyes of her characters, which helps readers understand how past events have an impact on modern realities.:
"The book Emma was reading opened up to her a historical panorama of the struggle of black women for their rights. She was imbued with their stories, their passionate words and actions that embodied their desire for justice. Through their eyes, the reader plunged into past eras, feeling the weight of their struggle and the joy of their victories. Anna realized that their stories are not just an archive of the past, but living lessons that influence modern realities, reminding of the importance of the struggle for equality and solidarity in the modern world."
Conclusion
The novel "Girl, Woman, Other" by Bernardine Evaristo is a significant literary work that is embedded in the discourse of modern socio-cultural and gender issues. The analysis of this novel opens up new perspectives for understanding the complex interrelationships between race, gender, identity and socio-cultural context.
The novel not only illustrates the life realities of black women in modern society, but also is an intellectual and emotional challenge for the reader, involving him in an in-depth analysis and discussion of topics related to discrimination, identity and the struggle for equality.
The study of the polyphony and diversity of literary genres and styles used by Evaristo expands the understanding of the possibilities of artistic expression in the context of racial and gender issues. The novel becomes not only a means of artistic expression, but also an active tool of social and political activism, highlighting and emphasizing the need to fight for recognition and equal rights of black women in society.
Consequently, the novel "Girl, Woman, Other" is a significant object of research within the framework of modern artistic discourse, enriching our understanding of the socio-cultural and gender aspects of modern society and offering new ways of reflection and discussion in the field of literary research, feminism and cultural identities.
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Bernardine Evaristo "Girl, Woman, Other" – 2019
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