The Rain Child

Margaret Laurence

Introduction (Stephanie)

◎Margaret Laurence

Born in Neepawa, Manitoba on July 18 1926

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.

1963 The Prophet’s Camel Bell

1963 The Tomorrow Tamer

1960 This Side Jordan

1945 A Tree For Poverty

＊ 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. Anywhere hereafter (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

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)

Q1 Compare Abeng and “Sugar Cane Alley” with The Rain Child.

Q2 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?