The University Of The West Indies

Foundation 1101
Caribbean Civilisation
BOOK REPORT

Student Name:
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Faculty:
Campus: Mona
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Date:

Title of book reviewed: 'Aimé Césaire' by Elizabeth Walcott - Hackshaw

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are no instances of plagiarism contained herein. I submit to any penalty imposed by the
faculty for any instance of plagiarism found in my work however caused.
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The book entitled ‘Aime Cesaire’ written by Elizabeth Walcott - Hankshaw was published in

1947.Walcott is a prominent Caribbean writer and professor of French literature at the University Of The
West Indies. Walcott was born in 1964 in Trinidad and Tobago to Derek Walcott. In addition to being a

professor of French literature she is also a teacher of creative writing with a background in being a

literary critic and author. In the book Amie Cesaire, the themes of education, ethnicity, socio economic

backgrounds and Negritudism is highlighted. In correspondence with the themes of Caribbean

Civilization the themes of stratification, africanism, literary revolts and internal self governance is present

in the novel written by Elizabeth Walcott - Hankshaw. Education has been an element in Caribbean

society in shaping the cultural development of the Caribbean black identity. Ethnicity is another crucial

theme as through Cesaire's life story, the book delves into the complexities of Caribbean ethnicities,

highlighting the struggles of being of a black identity and background. In the book the impact of class and

economic conditions on Cesaire's experiences, helps to shed light on the black identity as well as it is also

complimented with the cultural movement of Negritudism.

Firstly, the theme of education and family life as a socializing agent is present in the Caribbean

biography. Education has been a major factor which is used to shape Caribbean society. In addition to

institutional education provided by churches and later by the government, there were various forms of

informal education that played a significant role in shaping individuals' identities and values. In chapter

one of the Caribbean Biography we are introduced to Amie Fernand David Cesaire who grew up under

French rule on the Island of Martinique. He was born in Basse-Pointe in the north of the island on June

26,1913. His paternal grandmother Eugenie Macni,' la petite africaine'' taught him how to read and write

by the age of four. Through her teachings, he not only learned how to read and write at a young age but

also gained a strong sense of cultural heritage and black identity. During the time of slavery slaves were

given the lowest hierarchy on the plantations due to their lack of education. During the time of

Emancipation there was a great emphasis on education as it was offered by the Churches in the country.

Cesaire saw great importance in education as he was taught to master french. This helps to depict the

importance of education and how it can be proven that education is functional. (Davis and Moore)

education was not just a means of achieving social mobility; it also acted as a powerful tool for resistance
against colonial oppression. This was seen through his ability to attend university and later become a

promoted educational figure in the sphere of tertiary education. The system of education clearly served as

an agent of socialization for Amie Cesaire as he learned his social and moral values. This served as a

means of functionalism and a launching pad for the further academic advancement for Amie Cesaire

which set the tone for his later years of life such as his marriage and children. Education played a vital

role in fostering a sense of unity and consciousness among the people.Through the means of education,

Cesaire was able to create an avenue of social change through his works in the realm of civil rights and

social justice. As a result of this it is clear that the Caribbean biography showed the importance of

education and its effect on Amie Cesaire and his life as a means of awareness and the promotion of the

cultural identity of black individuals of Caribbean descent.

Secondly, the theme of racism in the shaping of the Caribbean of the Caribbean identity was prominently

evident in the Caribbean Biography. The caribbean identity is often seen as an identity that comprises

race, class, gender and ethnicity. Identity is referred to as a set of characteristics that are based on

objective attributes that an individual has. In the case of Aime Cesaire, his life's work was centrally

focused on this identity. The impact of colonialism and the effects of slavery contributed to the formation

of Aime’s Caribbean identity. He challenged the narratives imposed by colonial powers and on the worth

and dignity of the black community. Cesaire was a poet and writer who primarily focused his work on the

themes of education, race, and history. During his life as a political activist and educator he was often

overlooked or his messages were often looked down upon. This was reflected in his life as he was also

shut down by the authorities because of his message which was accompanied by his black skin. As he

continuously spoke about his cultural heritage and background his words were often deemed to be that of

an angry black man rather than that of an intellectual. Due to racism the color of his skin did not give him

much say in the processes of colonialism of his home country during his time in France. His main aim

was to reach the minds and the hearts of blacks/negros through harping on the background of his own

caribbean identity. The post-colonial identity can be seen as one that is heavily influenced by the colonial
superpowers of either French, English or Dutch that influenced the identity and the social behaviors of

black descendants. As a political leader and social activist he was oftentimes outraged at the complacency

of the black individuals to demand reparations and attention for the horrendous oppression that they had

to face. The works of Casaire such as his poems highlighted the themes of resistance against colonial

powers. This is a very prominent theme embedded in the Caribbean Identity as many Caribbean Islands

fought ferociously and resisted the colonial powers of the British, French and Spanish. In Cesaire's own

identity, his home of Martiqniuqe was heavily colonized and as a result there was a severe level of

stratification and oppression. Amie was inspired to write "Le temps de liberte." ("The Time Of

Freedom"), "La saison du soleil rouge" ("the season of the red sun"). The series refers to Aime as the

angry poet and an angry black man who is frustrated about the lack of repatriation of his country. The

works of Aime during his time as writer clearly placed emphasis on the importance of identifying and

acknowledging this identity in order to move toward the future in the spirit of repatriation.

Thirdly, the theme of negritudism was very evident in the Caribbean Biography and served as a means of

emphasizing the life of Aime Cesaire and the complement it made to the promotion and formation of the

Caribbean Identity. Racism and greed has been known to be the most prominent reasons for slavery. The

concept of colonialism was built on the guise of ensuring that there is a level of dominance among

continents and economies. As a result of this blacks fell privy to the hand of oppression and colonization.

Aime Cesaire, being of a prominent Caribbean identity of Martinuqe was affected by this social and

cultural phenomena. This can be seen through his work, Cahier d'un retour au pays natal. (The Notebook

Of Return To My Native Land). This work shed light on the traumatic effects and experiences of slavery.

As a result of this many of his poems began to be seen as trauma poetics. From the understanding of the

oppressions in which blacks faced due to the hands of slavery, the movement of Negritude was created by

Aime Cesaire. Through Aime Cesaire there was a surge in Pan-Africanism, particularly through the

Negritude movement. Intellectuals like Aimé Césaire, Léopold Sédar Senghor, and Frantz Fanon

emphasized the importance of African culture, literature, and arts in challenging colonialism and asserting
African identity. Pan Africansim is a movement that was originally created by Henry Sylvester then

carried on by Marcus Garvey. Marcus Garvey's movement was built on the pillars of returning back to

Africa. As such the poetic works of Aime Cesaire such as ‘A Notebook of Return To My Native Land’

further emphasized the pillars of Negritudism. The Negritude movement sought to reclaim a sense of

pride in African cultural values, traditions, languages, and contributions to world civilization. Through

poetry, literature, and essays, writers highlighted the dignity of African cultures. Key figures associated

with the Negritude movement include Aimé Césaire from Martinique and Léopold Sédar Senghor from

Senegal. Negritude also played a significant role in fostering a sense of solidarity among people of

African descent. The Negritude movement influenced movements for civil rights and decolonization,

though inspiration for African and Afro-Caribbean artists. This negritude movement highlighted the

importance of African unity and solidarity, transcending geographical boundaries and promoting

cooperation among African nations and diaspora communities as well as reparation and repatriation back

to the home lands for blacks. From this one can conclude that the works of Aime Cesaire in his life

further helped to share the cultural identity of blacks as well as the importance and formation of the black

identity.

In conclusion, Elizabeth Walcott - Hankshaw's book "Aime Cesaire '' highlights important themes such as

education, ethnicity, socio-economic backgrounds, Negritudism, stratification, Africanism, literary

revolts, and internal self-governance. Elizabeth Walcott-Hankshaw's book "Aime Cesaire" stands as a

remarkable literary work that delves into significant themes encompassing education, ethnicity, socio-

economic backgrounds, Negritudism, stratification, Africanism, literary revolts, and internal self-

governance. Through the captivating life story of Aime Cesaire, the book unveils the pivotal role of

education in shaping not only individual lives but also the collective cultural identity of the Caribbean

people.The book shows how education can serve as a socializing agent, fostering values and beliefs.

Education, as showcased in Cesaire's life, becomes a means of empowerment. The book highlighted the
impact of colonialism and slavery on the formation of Aime Cesaire's Caribbean identity. Cesaire's poems

express the frustrations and struggles of black individuals against their colonizers, reflecting a powerful

theme of resistance in the Caribbean identity. Negritude figures sought to reclaim and celebrate African

heritage and culture and challenged the negative stereotypes imposed by colonial powers. Through the

life of Aime Cesaire, the importance of education as a means of socialization and social mobility is

shown. helped to shape the cultural identity and promote social justice as well as express the frustrations

black people had towards their colonizers. In addition to this the book also highlights the importance of

shaping Caribbean identity through themes of resistance against colonial powers and the emphasis on

Negritudism. Overall, "Aime Cesaire'' is a valuable contribution to the understanding of Caribbean history

and black identity.

Reference
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