A Response to "annie John"

Adolescent Psychology

Response Paper to Annie John

Response Paper for Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid

Annie John was, in my opinion, as poignant and universal a book dealing with adolescence as I have ever come across. The fact that it was the story of an adolescent girl, and that it took place in Antigua, in a vastly different racial, social, and economic climate than in which I personally grew up in, did nothing to lessen my ability to relate to the universal themes of adolescent growth and conflict. This alone speaks volumes of its author, Jamaica Kincaid, and her ability to express the subtle ambiguities of adolescence, as well as her ability to write a compelling novella in a fresh and unique voice.

Annie John is the central character and narrator of the text. Everything is filtered through her voice as the story takes us from her pre-adolescent years up until she leaves home for the first time at the age of eighteen to attend school overseas. Early on it is east to see the seeds of adolescence in young Annie, even before she begins developing physically, as she is a complex and contemplative young girl. In her early youth she struggles fiercely with the idea and fear of separation from her mother. Her fears about being left alone in the world dominate her early days, and when they are not entirely resolved transform into feelings of bitterness and hatred towards her mother. At the same time as she grows into adolescence she learns to harden herself against efforts to restrict her personal freedom and articulation.

Both AnnieЎЇs mother and her teachers have a firm idea of who they think Annie should become. Annie manages to evade these definitions and develop a uniquely dual consciousness by exercising both her intellectual abilities and her insolent, rebellious urges. On the one hand her ability to adhere to the colonial order allows her to become the best student in her class, and made class prefect, and later even promoted several grades above her level. On the other hand she keeps up her feisty spirit by being rambunctious outside the classroom. She entertains the other girls by singing ÐŽodirtyÐŽ± songs, becomes somewhat of a petty thief and a liar, and even becomes an expert in marbles, a game which her mother has forbidden her to play, and is considered a game that only the ÐŽobadÐŽ± kids play. While some of these activities carry at least a taint of dishonesty, and in some cases even blatant disregard for proper behavior, they all prove crucial to AnnieЎЇs personal development in an atmosphere that, somewhat oppressively, tries to define her.

AnnieЎЇs attitude carries a characteristically adolescent false arrogance and bravado, especially toward the end of the book where she believes that many of the other characters are lacking the necessary spirit, even her erstwhile friend Gwen. However even her defiant arrogance seems understandable, as it is the primary tool that allows her to thrive in an environment that seems as anxious to define her as she is to define herself.

AnnieЎЇs initial anger starts because her mother insists that they are separate people, which prior to and to some extent throughout her adolescence is difficult for Annie to accept. One day Annie returns home from school to find her parentЎЇs in bed making love. She feels rejected when she sees this because she is not part of this special union that she does not quite understand. In particular she feels quite angry at her motherЎЇs neglect of their special relationship and begins to view her mother coldly. Annie rebels by forming a fierce friendship with Gwen, and later by being disobedient in order to impress the Red Girl.

The Red Girl is a character who represents the defiant person that Annie John wishes to become.