ENGL-205 Romance in Marseille and God Loves Haiti PDF

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This paper is five pages long, with a completed bibliography. The paper is about the theme of homeland present in two novels: Romance in Marseille by Claude McKay and God Loves Haiti by Dimitry Léger. It compares and contrasts how present the homeland theme was in both novels, and how it impacted ch...

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Yes No Maybe So Professor Jewelry ENGL-205-02 Decembmerere 78, 1202 The Theme of Homeland Claude McKay’s novel, Romance in Marseille, and Dimitry Elias Léger’s novel, God Loves Haiti, are two extremely profound stories that revolve around complex themes of love, revenge, money, and most importantly, homeland. The central theme of homeland in both Romance in Marseille and God Loves Haiti is a prominent, overarching element that not only propels the stories forward from beginning to end, but also drastically impacts characters in various ways. There will first be a focus on the characters in God Loves Haiti, in which Natasha, the President, and Alain will all be measured by their diverse sense of homeland; this will set the foundation into revealing how exactly the theme of homeland is able to become a driving force throughout the novel. Then, there will be concentration on the characters in Romance in Marseille, in which Lafala and Aslima will also be analyzed by their differing sense of homeland; this will set the foundation into revealing how exactly the theme of homeland is able to become a driving force throughout the novel and severely affect their decisions and livelihoods. Natasha Robert, a talented and passionate sculptor, is a newlywed, but not just any newlywed. From a poor background, she is now married to the Haitian President. When the earthquake strikes, they are both boarding their plane that will whisk them to a new future in Italy. As the earthquake strikes, Natasha mounts the steps of the plane, but is fraught with concern for her future with her sixty-year-old husband, having just abandoned her true lover. Despite her hesitation, Natasha’s new life in Italy will be a permanent one. In fact, the sole

reason for Natasha’s departure to Italy is because of her fiery resentment for her country, Haiti. Natasha confesses to her ex-lover, Alain Destine, “It’s not you, Alain… It’s this city, this country. They bring me down. I can’t breathe here anymore” (Léger, 99). Here, Natasha reveals how unhappy Haiti causes her to be, even alluding to being suffocated both socially and professionally. Natasha elaborates on this statement further, revealing that she can no longer flourish in an environment that constantly makes her crestfallen: The extremes of this country are just too much. They threaten to make me numb to novelty and invention. The joy of inspiration stopped existing for me recently. I don’t want to feel numb, but I do. I can’t work and certainly can’t live that way. From what I can tell, life here’s been the same way since the beginning! Maybe I don’t fit in to this society anymore. Maybe I don’t want to fit in to this society anymore. (Léger, 99) It is evident that Natasha feels trapped within the confines of her native country, and she desperately wishes to escape the poverty and pain that threatens to consume Haiti. There is no sense of belonging or fondness for Natasha’s homeland, and it is this disconnect of nationalism that forces Natasha to marry the President, not only for security and wealth, but also a free ticket out of her godforsaken country. Another individual who embraced negative attitudes and feelings towards his homeland was the President of Haiti. From Natasha’s descriptions, it is evident that the President was “utterly indecisive” and “completely terrible” at his duties and responsibilities as president (Léger, 11). When Natasha asked the President how he could effortlessly walk away from the presidency, he responded, “It’s just a job. It’s not like it was a vocation… This country took every ounce of everything I had for sixty years. It’s past time I left it to the young Turks who want to run it so bad” (Léger, 43). Not only did he lack the skills necessary to become a successful leader, the President was devoid of passion and concern for both his homeland and its

citizens. The President could not care less about Haiti and his people. Additionally, the President, similar to Natasha, was burdened by the poverty he could not alleviate. There was no sense of belonging or fondness for the President’s homeland, and it is this disconnect of nationalism that forced the President to make the easy decision to flee his position. However, the theme of homeland, which the President greatly lacked, played a role in the transformation of himself into a better leader. Knocked unconscious by the earthquake, the President found himself the latest in a long line of corrupt and ineffective presidents; they were either being sentenced to Hell or granted access into Heaven by St. Peter. This dream served as a wake-up call for the President, and he began to reflect on his effectiveness as a leader and what his homeland meant to him. After the earthquake, the President surprised everyone, including himself, by becoming an effective leader; he directed rescue efforts, obtained funds for rebuilding, and was a strong center for his shaken people. It allows him to see there are ways to help his people and that Haiti is more than him and his job; it is about a people and a culture who have survived against all odds. The President, after calling a priest and confessing for his sins, was given a clean slate; he was going to fix the injustices towards his homeland, and most importantly, its citizens. The only individual with a notable sense of belonging and fondness for his homeland was Alain Destine. Unlike the President and Natasha, Alain is the only character in God Loves Haiti to remain deeply rooted and connected to his homeland. Alain tells Natasha in the Presidential Palace, “I can’t leave Haiti again, Natasha… My life is here. This is my country. It’s yours too, by the way” (Léger, 98). Despite Alain traveling frequently, which results in him leaving Haiti several times, he blatantly expresses his willingness to remain in the country permanently. Alain elaborates on why he will remain in Haiti, speaking to Natasha, “I’m happy here. The country’s been good to me. More than generous” (Léger, 100). Alain feels as though Haiti has given him great career opportunities that he could not find anywhere else, and he is grateful because of this.

Transitioning to Romance in Marseille, written by Claude McKay, there is also a noteworthy presence of nationalism and a sense of homeland consistent throughout the novel. The theme of homeland is best showcased in the main character, Lafala, who is constantly being pulled to his homeland in Africa. What sparks Lafala’s longing to return to his homeland is the amputation of both his legs from frostbite. Although he suffers the loss of his body, Lafala also loses a piece of his heritage. Lafala stresses the importance of having “fine bodies'' and “gleaming legs” in his culture by revealing: The older tribesmen appraised the worth of the young by the shape of their limbs. Long legs and slender made good swimmers. Stout legs and thick, good carriers. Lithe and sinewy were runners’ legs. And long swinging monkey arms marked expert climbers of palms and jungle trees. (McKay, 3) The importance of a strong body, accompanied by athletic legs, is essential to the culture of Lafala’s people, and he feels completely disconnected from his heritage without them. Lafala also remembers his love of dancing within his upbringing in the “bush,” and this ultimately stirs his desire to go back to his homeland. Lafala recalls “dancing in the moonlight in the village yard” and even how he “held hands and danced [with playmates and friends] singing ‘The Moonshine Kid’” (McKay, 3). Lafala’s passion for dancing and his culture’s emphasis on limbs made the amputation of his legs more agonizing and distressing. However, even though he lost his legs, Lafala gained something in return: money. With wealth, Lafala can move, not physically with his legs, but in lifestyle and wealth. With money, Lafala can feel the pull towards his homeland in Africa more intensely for several reasons; he can afford all the necessary tickets, he is now highly respected, and even content with his newfound status. Throughout the novel, Lafala is torn between staying in the city he loves, Marseille, and returning to his homeland in Africa. There is one individual who keeps Lafala deeply rooted in

Marseille, and that is his lover, Aslima. Aslima, who is the reigning prostitute in Quayside, does not have a strong sense of homeland or nationalism due to her vast, unfortunate upbringing. Aslima was born a slave in a Muslim community, and her mother was a prostitute. Eventually being separated from her mother at a young age, she took on the role as a servant; then, was sold to a “colored sub-officer” who paid a “few hundred francs” for Aslima to travel and live with him (McKay, 45). The soldier transferred and left Aslima with money, and she continued to have “transient love affairs with native and white” (McKay, 45). Eventually, Aslima found herself in and out of “love homes,” or brothels, having her first experience with a pimp, and decided to relocate to Quayside where she was unfamilar (McKay, 45). From a young age, it is evident that Aslima never developed positive feelings towards any of the places she lived, regardless if she had a say in the matter. Aslima tells Lafala, “I have no home to go back to. No parents, no relatives. I would be a stranger going back alone as much as I am here. I would go with you if you wanted me to” (McKay, 122). Even when Lafala offers to bring Aslima to his homeland, she is only skeptical of his gesture, but she accepts his invitation. Furthermore, Lafala’s desire to return to his African home is completely unbearable. As a result, Lafala abandons Aslima in Marseille, despite telling her that they would both reside in his homeland. Lafala’s decision to follow his feelings of homeland has detrimental effects on Aslima. Titin, who is Aslima’s pimp, murders her. Lafala is completely unaware that his decision to return home is the sole cause of Aslima’s death. The theme of homeland was a powerful force within Lafala, and it also greatly impacted Aslima’s life in a way she never expected. Though in unexpected and mysterious ways, the theme of homeland is a prominent element in both Romance in Marseille and God Loves Haiti. Both novels explore how the theme of homeland is perceived by main characters and how it affected them within their decisions and daily life.

Bibliograpy Léger, Dimitry. God Loves Haiti: A Novel. Amistad, 2016. McKay, Claude. Romance in Marseille. Penguin Books, 2020....