A Quest for Identity and Alienation Jamaica Kincaid’s Lucy

Abstract

In Lucy by Jamaica Kincaid, the protagonist, Lucy, journeys from her Caribbean homeland to the United States in search of self-identity and autonomy. As an au pair in a foreign land, she faces cultural dislocation, familial pressures, and racial alienation. Her strained relationship with her mother, who embodies colonial influence, intensifies her inner conflict. Lucy resists both the expectations of her native Antigua and the dominant American culture. She grapples with the complexities of gender roles and societal norms, rejecting the patriarchal constraints placed upon her. The novel explores the effects of colonialism on identity, highlighting the tension between Lucy’s past and her present. Through her experiences, Lucy confronts alienation and isolation, both externally and internally. Her quest for identity reveals the challenges faced by immigrants, especially women, navigating between different cultural expectations. Ultimately, Lucy learns that identity is fluid, shaped by both heritage and personal choice. Kincaid’s narrative underscores the enduring impact of displacement and the ongoing struggle for self-definition