Cultural Divide/Hegemony

 The cultural divide that resulted in hegemony due to the colonialism that was prominent throughout most Caribbean nations history is a big theme throughout many of the stories that we have read, and videos we have watched. It is a crucial artifact due to how it creates plots and segregation amongst many of the characters. Hegemony is one of our postcolonial terms, and it is important to the literature that we have read this semester. Hegemony is present due to the colonization that was prominent throughout the Caribbean by European nations. Now, many nations are feeling the repercussions of colonialism. In “Pioneers oh Pioneers”, the story highlights hegemony. In the story there is a clear divide between the native people and the white Europeans on the island. The main character starts to have a relationship with a lady of color, and the other white people on the island become very critical of him for having a relationship with someone of a different background. They feel that it is wrong to interact with someone they feel is inferior. It shows how colonialism and hegemony has set a divide among nations, and again how many groups feel isolated and set in a niche.

    In "Pioneers oh Pioneers" The idea that someone is wrong to marry another person based on their wealth or skin color is the main conflict. This is very similar to the caste system in India, which was mind-blowing to me. The caste system should be looked down upon, and people should be able to love who they love, not just love people of the same skin color or wealth. This creates the same common theme of isolation and loneliness. I find that like in the story, it is not okay in many of the stories for people of different wealths or backgrounds to interact with one another. This creates an unhappy tone and divides two people who then must suffer alone or else they might suffer at the hands of many. The hegemonic values of the Europeans, and white men like in "Pioneers oh Pioneers", is what caused the big divide among societies in the Caribbean. One group thinks that they are better and smarter than the native people, and it leads to strife. Tensions can still be present today, which again is another way that all of these artifact are related because they bring in real life problems to the literature. They all have their own unique way of expressing the real life problems, but they all convey strong and intriguing stories.