A good example of this can be found with the passage that says, "For years, hate had become with them a habit. It had given an object and a target to their impotent anger. Only there was one condition: that was reconciliation. And what did it cost them? A mere gesture, a few steps like walking over a bridge, and they would leave behind bad days of poverty, they would enter the land of abundance." (Roumain, 1944, pr. 131) This is significant, because this passage is highlighting the underlying challenges facing Haiti on a daily basis. Where, everyone becomes focused on themselves and angry about the entire situation (i.e. The poverty and harsh economic conditions). At which point, they will begin to take out this frustration on each other. This helps the foreigners and large corporations, who are able to exploit the country for its mineral resources. The way that this is accomplished, is by keeping everyone divided against themselves. At which point, the people will continue to face the same challenges, despite having fought for their own freedom. However, these issues can be rectified if everyone will work together, to deal with these various challenges.
When you step back and examine the underlying symbolism, it is clear that one could take these ideas of frustration, to underscore the sense of helplessness that many people are feeling. Where, they try everything to overcome the various challenges. Yet, there is always something standing in their way. This is important, because one could argue that these feelings of anger and frustration would boil over. As many people in the region would be able to relate to these different ideas, helping to fuel the independence movement that was seen throughout the region between: the 1950's and the 1970's. As everyone wanted to be able to address the years of injustice that were occurring, with a Russian Revolution style transformation taking place. Where, the people wanted to be able to seek out some kind revenge and level the playing field. However, over the course of time, these ideas of revaluation would slowly fade away after the independence movements. At which point, the region would continue to face the same challenges; only under a government ran by the indigenous population. (Carby, 1999, pp....
135 -- 144) as a result, one can draw a direct parallel between these feelings of frustration and the independence movement, helping to transform these societies.
Clearly, the issues that were faced by the people of Haiti / the Caribbean after colonialism was one of: poverty, economic degradation and class struggle. Where, the new governments that replaced the colonial regimes would continue with similar policies. The only difference was that they were not forcing the people to engage in the actual practice of
slavery. Instead, it would be a form of economic subjugation, as the wealthy in these nations would use their
power and influence to help themselves. This is troubling because it would contribute to the overall sense of anger and outrage that would occur. In the novel Masters of the Dew, Jacques Roumain is touching upon these raw emotions. This is accomplished through the
main character and the symbolism throughout the novel. Where, he will use different experiences and events to highlight the situation facing Haiti. As the country is supposed to be free, yet the inability of the people to manage their own affairs has continued to keep the ideas of colonialism alive (only in a different form). This is important, because one could draw off of these two elements to understand the thinking and the
atmosphere in many countries throughout the region. As they are struggling to overcome the
legacy of colonialism, yet they continue to wrestle with its lingering effects. These different feelings and emotions are: what Roumain is instilling upon the reader, helping to make the novel a historical as well as cultural masterpiece.
Bibliography
Literature About Haiti. (1998). Language Works. Retrieved from: http://www.language-works.com/Haiti/lit.htm
Arnold, J. (1994). Exile and Recent Literature. A History of Literature in the Caribbean. (pp. 451 -- 464). Amsterdam: Benjamins.
Carby, H. (1999). Proletarian of Literary Revolution. Cultures in Babylon. (pp. 135 -- 144).
London, Verso.
Roumain, J. (1944). Masters of the Dew.…
