Astrid Roemer’s The Inheritance of My Father (1995)
Astrid Roemer’s The Inheritance of My Father (1995)extensively reflects the profound self-discovery of the author as it focuses more on the history of the current advanced black people. However, despite their existing development and advancement, they should not forget their past because they now enjoy luxury life in America. Their roots are bound to the African black community, and they are not out of the black their entitled black inheritance. Roemer clearly brings out the identity crisis of the black people since they really have a significant challenge in manifesting their identity.
Blackness by Jamaica posit the theme that darkness is overwhelming and engulfing. The author argues that blackness is visible and yet is invisible, for he sees what he cannot see. Further, Kincaid exemplifies the engulfing and overwhelming of darkness when he suggests that blackness cannot bring joy, but often he is glad of it, cannot be separated from him though he often stands outside it, not in the air though he breathes it, not on earth but he walks on it (Brown & Wickham, 1999). As candid, blackness is a theme that consumes the author’s mind soul and body.
The characters present a realistic presentation that differs from other contemporary writers. In Astrid Roemer’s The Inheritance of My Father, the author shows that his family members did not have any racial prejudice; the character is different from contemporary writers. All the characters in the books are real and appear more blood and fresh as described in the author’s daily life, and racial memory and reflection do not reflect any hatred. The characters are presented as a lesson for future generations and praises those who help them.
References
Brown, S., & Wickham, J. (Eds.). (1999). The Oxford Book of Caribbean Short Stories (p. xiii). Oxford University Press.
Roemer, A. (1995). The Inheritance of my Father: A Story for Listening. Trans. Hilda van Neck-Yoder, 348-361.