"On Seeing England for the First Time" Questions // Jamaica Kincaid

How does the use of parallelism serve Kincaid's rhetorical purpose in the first paragraph?

Her use of parallelism is very prominent in this work, and aids her in arguing the "beautiful" versus the "ugly". Or rather the ideal against the reality of Europe and its influence. "England was a special jewel all right, and only special people got to wear it, (para. 1, Kincaid)".

At the end of paragraph 12, Kincaid says, in reference to power, "No one ever has [resisted it]." Do you think this is true? Explain.

I feel like it is true in a way. Of course there are people who would never exercise unnecessary force over another group of people. But throughout our history, it is true that this type of application of power has been constant. Especially seen in the days where the countries of Europe went around colonizing other parts of the Earth with no concern for the peoples already living in those areas.

Where in the essay does Kincaid's epiphany occur? Support your claim with evidence from the text.

I think that Kincaid's epiphany occurs within the 16th paragraph. I cannot pinpoint exactly when in her life, but I think that it was all a build-up to this lengthy paragraph. "At that moment, I was thinking, who are these people who forced me to think of them all the time, who forced me to think that the world I knew was incomplete, or without substance, or did not measure up because it was not England; that I was incomplete, or without substance, and did not measure up because I was not English, (para. 16, Kincaid)".

What is the rhetorical effect of the phrase "as surely they would be" in paragraph 17?

It implies that the people who have died and she is talking about have a great chance of being resurrected if such a thing exists. I think that it meant that they were all good people, who deserve to live once more.

What is the effect of the shirt-shopping example Kincaid provides (para. 14)? What does it contribute to your understanding of Kincaid's attitude toward England?

It provides a story that can relate to her view on England, particularly it's people. She said that she or her husband didn't like the type of royalty displayed on the shirt, and the reaction she got from both the clerk and her supposed friend made her feel the way she felt in her childhood. It is not a good feeling on top of that. It made her wonder if all she was to the English people was a thing that they could say they "helped". A "racial memory" as she called it.

In paragraph 4, Jamaica Kincaid says, "I had long ago been conquered." What does she mean?

It refers to the huge role England had in her life, even before she got the concept of it. The people around her growing up regarded England as the highest of high places. The constant reminder and glorification of England made Kincaid feel small and insignificant.

Kincaid writes in paragraph 5 that "there were many times of seeing England for the first time." What is her purpose for developing this paradox?

She develops this to show how much "England" was in her life. As you cannot see something for the first time again. Yet she tells of encountering more and more of England throughout her schooling/education, each lesson being a new thing and adding to her existing knowledge of the country she had yet to visit.

In paragraphs 1 and 2, Kincaid uses listing as a technique. What is the effect? How does this affect serve her purpose?

She lists food and clothing items. In listing these items she doesn't seem to be expressing passion or any opinions she might have, giving the writing a sort of power of knowledge and a somber tone.

In paragraph 10, Kincaid writes, "The space between the idea of something and its reality is always wide and deep and dark." What does she mean?

She means that ideals of something often do not match up with the thing in real life. Especially when referring to countries such as Britain. In which, many people from outside only see the facade of the attractions or wondrous city life.

In the opening paragraph, how does Kincaid build up detail to develop a clearly ironic tone?

She opens it up with her looking at a map of England, not actually being in the country or seeing pictures of it's monuments or cities. Comparing its shape to a leg of mutton to find something familiar to connect it with. As children usually do to understand things.

How does Kincaid regard the British influence under which she was raised? Refer to specific passages.

She talks a lot about the influence Britain had on her life, especially with the goods she used every day. In paragraph two, she talks about how things such as the food she ate at breakfast to the clothes she and her family wore were all made in England.

Kincaid uses the phrases "extremely not beautiful" (para. 9) and "not-favorable" (para. 11). Why not simply say "ugly" or "homely" or "unfavorable"? How does Kincaid's diction contribute to her purpose?

Since she starts her work in the perspective of her childhood years, it was probably a good idea to stick to this type of wording. It gives off a mixed feeling, rather than the definitive/solid words of "ugly" or "unfavorable".

What is the effect of the mutton simile that Kincaid uses in paragraph 1? What is the effect of retracting that simile within the same clause?

The comparison of England's geography to a leg of mutton produces an ungraceful image of the country. But she then retracts her statement, saying "...it could not really look like anything so familiar...(para. 1, Kincaid)". This makes the reader wonder why she would compare England to an animal leg, but then she retracts it, saying that the leg would be more familiar.

In paragraph 11, Kincaid says she has "the desire and will . . . to take from the world more than I give back to it, more than I deserve, more than I need." What effect does such a statement have on the reader?

The initial sentence this excerpt is from goes and links it back to the "real England". It makes the reader realize that the privileges that people have in these first world countries is very much connected to the feeling of entitlement people grow up there with.

What is ironic about the essay's title, "On Seeing England for the First Time"?

The irony lies in the fact that in reality, she is neither really looking at England, nor is it her first encounter with England (especially as a concept). Kinaid is only looking at a map of England, she isn't seeing the people or the bustling scenery of it. Throughout the work, she also describes the huge role of "England" in her life. Such as its presence at her family's dinner table during breakfast.

What is the effect of Kincaid's attitude toward her friend? How does her description of this relationship affect her ethos?

The way Kincaid acts toward her friend reveals that she seemed to be holding back. I don't think that it negatively affects her ethos, in fact I don't believe this text is meant to convince people; rather it's to show and call out. She describes her friends actions and how she as a person of color is affected by them and perceives them.

Kincaid uses repetition in paragraph 16. She mentions "my prejudices'' four times. What is the effect of the repetition as she confesses to the reader?

What she confesses to the reader about her prejudices are nothing short of true. As a person of color, her opinions are much too often overlooked. The repetition pounds into the reader's head the fact that even though the prejudice against her and her people are tolerated, she'd be seen as ignorant by many for holding the same thoughts about British people and their country.