The Rain Child Margaret Laurence Introduction Stephanie Margaret

The Rain Child Margaret Laurence

Introduction (Stephanie) ◎ Margaret Laurence 1926 Born in Neepawa, Manitoba on July 18 1944 took a scholarship at Winnipeg’s United College 1947 married Jack Lawrence 1950 move to Africa 1957 Gold Coast received its independence as the State of Ghana

◎ Margaret Laurence ＊Her early work revolved around her African experience E. g. 1945 A Tree For Poverty 1960 This Side Jordan 1963 The Tomorrow Tamer 1963 The Prophet’s Camel Bell ＊1964 The first Book of the Manawaka series was published ＊Recurrent themes in Lawrence’s earlier African stories: 1. Recognizing the power of tradition 2. Examining the nature of change

◎ Ghana ＊The major ethnic groups in Ghana include the Akan, Ewe, Mole-Dagbane, Gune, and Ga-Adangbe. The shared attributes contributed to state formation in the precolonial period. ＊Ethnicity is one of the most potent factors affecting political behavior In Ghana. ＊No part of Ghana is ethnically homogeneous. a. Urban centers-ethnically mixed b. Rural areas-traditional population distribution South: Money economy Western education , Christianity North: Islamic influence

Theme (Phyllis) ◎ Migration ＊ Differences in culture, language, identity Diaspora ＊ Rain Child 1. Origin 2. Meaning

First Generation (I) (Karina) ◎ Hilda Povey ＊ Contrast to Nedden Fail to adapt herself to Africa, remains English-centered in her mind→ Outsider E. g. -- African parents unenlightened to her (273) -- angry about Nedden’s turning to teach Akan poetry (274) -- growing zinnia in her garden (276) -- not allow students join Odwira (284)

◎ Violet Nedden ＊ More open-minded than Povey in some way -- give up teaching Daffodils and turn to teach Akan poetry (274) -- growing jungle lily in her garden (276) -- go along with the girls to join Odwira (284) ＊Her English-identity does not disappear from her mind -- the garden chair→ sign of Sceptre→ King / Queen -- sense of superiority over Africans ＊Her relation with the Children -- Ruth -- Kwaale -- Ayesha & Yindo

First Generation (II) (Lynx) ◎ Clare Mackie vs. Miss Nedden ＊ Physical difference Quick / efficient (282) vs. Slow / lame ＊ Position difference Manager vs. Missionary ＊ Psychological difference Colonizer vs. Diaspora

◎ Dr. Quansah ＊ Double (split) identity Western — food, dress (274), language (279~280) African — resents Europeans’ racism (283) ＊ Diaspora 1. In London (283) 2. Returning home (284) 3. Anywhereafter (288)

Second Generation (I) (Sheena) ◎ Ruth -- In class -- Her relationship with classmates -- The transfer of power (ex: toffee) -- Ruth’s changes from the beginning to the end -- Ruth in Bible ◎ Yindo -- Background -- Chameleon (280) -- Helpless (287)

Second Generation (II) (Cicily) ◎ David – Ruth (relationship) (282~283) David – first person David’s denial (286) ◎ Ayesha -- Diaspora (in Africa) -- Experience (279) -- Self –protection (278) -- Ayesha & Yindo (language) (280) -- The search of Ruth (286~287) ◎ Kwaale -- influence from first generation father (277) -- ritual (285)

Conclusion (Dana) Q 1 Compare Abeng and “Sugar Cane Alley” with The Rain Child. Q 2 What does the last sentence “…I think of that island of grey rain where I must go as a stranger, when the time comes, while others much remain as strangers here. ” mean?