Maroon Society Represented in Naylor's "Mama Day"?

Does anyone suspect that the mysterious town of Willow Springs is perhaps a "present day" maroon community?

Christopher & Iphigene

"There is a tacit agreement between them and the planters. And if they want the planters to let them enjoy their precarious freedom, they have to denounce every plot and every attempt at a slave revolt they hear about on the island. So they have their spies everywhere..." (Conde 163)

How does this statement help us better understand the relationship between Christopher, Tituba and Iphigene?

Strange Fruit

What's the role of lynching in Conde's novel? How does it shape the action, interaction of character, and male-female relations?

 

 

 

 

 

What are Maroon societies and what purpose do they serve in Conde's novel?

 

TITUBA

Here are some questions to guide your thinking about Maryse Conde's novel, I, Tituba:

1. What role does geography play in Conde's novel? What's the importance of the various places mentioned?
2. How has the notion of motherhood changed from the beginning to the end of the novel?
3. How does desire empower characters in the book? In what ways are the differences influenced by gender?
4. What does Tituba achieve by telling us her story?

This week's themes

Motherhood -- Survival -- Desire

• How and when do these themes occur in I, Tituba?
• What types of survival can you identify?
• How is desire expressed and by whom?

Groups who are identifying these themes "beyond the book" will identify a current event and song that offer an example of the themes. All groups should be prepared to discuss your theme, giving evidence (quote, passage, article, song) and present for the class on Tuesday, September 10th.