Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat

“ The importance of maintaining a connection with one’s root in the migration experience is central in
Danticat’s Breath, Eyes , Memory”. Write an essay in which you describe the ways in which two
characters maintain a connection to their native culture in Breath, Eyes , Memory. In this essay you
also discuss how migration affects their sense of identity and what are the consequences, and examine
how one technique is used by the writer to explore this issue of identity crisis.

The novel Breath, Eyes, Memory gives insight into the intricate web of life woven by the Caco women and
their experiences. Additionally light was shed upon the issues and demons faced by the characters in this
novel. One such issue is, migration and its effects on identity. In the novel it is quite clear that the plot was
not centered in one place but followed the characters who left their homeland Haiti, and took up place of
residence elsewhere. A change in place affected the characters and moreover how they saw themselves with
regard to the surrounding population. Regardless of distance, the characters still found avenues to connect to
their native culture.

The effect on identity was primarily seen with Sophie and her mother Martine. Sophie was born in Haiti and
grew up their until she was 12. However, when Sophie migrated to live with her mother her experiences
were different to that of Haiti. For one, she and others were viewed differently from the rest of the
population. The lines , “ my mother said it was important that I learned English quickly. Otherwise, the
American students would make fun of me or even worse, beat me.” and “many of the American kids have
accused Haitians of having aids” clearly outlines and describes the perception the Americans held of the
Haitians. To compensate for this the Haitians placed profound effort into acquiring English in order for
acceptance. Martine makes adjustments for acceptance as well. For example Martine began to use bleaching
cream to lighten her skin. The reasons for her actions are quite clear, a lighter skin will cancel out any
perceived differences between her and the majority she dwells with. Though the characters made
adjustments,they have not completely forgotten their roots. Martine connects with her roots by fraternizing
with persons of a common background. Hence Martine visits and supports Haiti businesses. This is seen
when she takes Sophie to Haiti Express and the Haitian beauty Salon. Attraction to one’s kind appear to be a
common technique used by the Haitians to connect to their native culture. Marc eats at Haitian restaurants
because he so endorses his Haitian cooking regardless of distance. Here at the restaurant the Haitians discuss
Haitians politics among themselves. By surrounding themselves with other Haitians both Sophie and Mar
are reminded of their culture and gain encouragement to embrace their culture and roots.

The line “ I still commend you, my dear. People who have been away from Haiti fewer years than you, they
return and pretend they speak no creole” substantiates the fact that Haitians undergo an identity crisis when
they migrate. The write skillfully uses symbolism to explore this issue. The flowers were used as symbols of
the change the the migrants undergo. “ Tante Atie told me your mother loved daffodils because they grew in
a place they were not supposed to… a strain of daffodils had grown that could withstand the heat, but they
had acquired a bronze tinge from the skin of the natives who had adopted them” is a line from the novel
which reflects this change. Just as the daffodils acquired the skin color of the natives so did Martine bleach
to acquire the color of the natives. In addition Martine’s change of preference from Daffodils to hibiscus
also symbolizes the issue of an identity crisis since she grows less fond of the things related to Haiti but
readily accepts those of the American lifestyle.

It is quite clear that the characters within the novel who migrated dealt with identity crisis but in spite of this
they still followed paths which connected them to their native culture.

RONEISHA SAMUELS
FORM 5 SCIENCE