Bed-Stuy in da Brownstone House:

Brooklyn Topographies as an Urban Metaphor of Deconstruction in Caribbean Immigration Narrative

Essai , 2006 , 20 Pages , Note: B+

Didactique de l'Anglais - Littérature, Œuvres

For the purpose of a contribution to the critical text volume of the Afro-American diaspora,'Brown Girl, Brownstones' is read as a Bildungsroman, rather than an ethnic study, whereas certain terms of sociological discourse pertaining to class, gender and race are elaborated upon. The novel concerns the first generation Barbadian-American girl Selina Boyce, who grows up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn during the Depression and the Second World War. Exploring the immigrant experience of Selina’s family through two major narrative strands, whereas the first primarily treats her parents' domestic conflict and the second is devoted to the protagonist’s coming of age, the novel is held together by the artful depiction of New York City topographies. As characteristic of the entire story, the beginning is constituted by a powerful personification of the brownstone houses, which are typical for Bed-Stuy, as the neighborhood is affectionately called by locals; contributing to its nostalgic charm.
Both, the structure and significance of the work are sustained by the creation of socio-psychological meaning through the relationship of the plot with its characters and spatial images that translate into symbolism. Whereas Selina’s consciousness is primarily defined by the atmosphere of the city, her parent’s attitudes are still influenced in various ways by their past childhood on the Caribbean islands.
The family’s search for a new home in the urban north of the United States is traced by highlighting the architectural metaphors of New York City in the novel. Special consideration is given to the beautiful Bed-Stuy brownstone story houses, Prospect Park, Fulton Street in downtown Brooklyn and industrial Williamsburg as well as bohemian Greenwich Village in Manhattan. Less a conceptualization of dualities, as it can be found often in the secondary literature about Paule Marshall’s first work of prose, my interpretation aims to support the idea of an urban metaphor of deconstruction. Consequently, the romantic myth of New York City is put into question, as the protagonist rises to independence against the backdrop of development projects and embarks on her own version of the American dream.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction: Topographies as an all encompassing metaphor
• Character of Brooklyn brownstones and introduction of the protagonist
• The family conflict: Land versus home
• Theoretical reflection upon gender issues in the novel
• Topographies 1: Fulton Park
  • Fulton Street / 125th Street in Harlem and the social meaning of city streets
  • Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza
  • Williamsburg / “Berliniamsburg”
• Politics of Space: Social meaning of the stoop
• The "City of Women" and the West Indian Carnival in Brooklyn
• Topographies 2: The Upper West Side and City College of CUNY
  • Greenwich Village
  • The Upper East Side
• Conclusion: City projects and individual rise to independence
• Bibliography

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This novel, "Brown Girl, Brownstones," explores the immigrant experience of a Barbadian American girl, Selina Boyce, growing up in Bed-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn during the Depression and World War II. The text examines the family's search for a new home in the urban north of the United States through the lens of New York City's architectural metaphors. The novel is structured around two major narrative strands: the first focuses on the parents' domestic conflict, while the second follows the protagonist's coming-of-age journey. The story is held together by the artful depiction of New York City topographies, which serve as a powerful metaphor for the immigrant experience.

• The immigrant experience and the search for a new home in America
• The impact of urban environments on individual identity and development
• The role of family dynamics and cultural heritage in shaping individual lives
• The social and political landscape of New York City during the Depression and World War II
• The complexities of race, class, and gender in a rapidly changing urban environment

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The novel opens with a vivid description of the brownstone houses in Bed-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, which are presented as a living organism, reflecting the neighborhood's historical flux and cultural authenticity. The brownstones serve as a constant in the face of change, as European settlers leave and Barbadian immigrants move in, seeking to climb the social ladder through homeownership. The protagonist, Selina, is introduced as a young girl who maintains an intimate attachment to her brownstone house, but also experiences a sense of not belonging. This ambivalence is portrayed through her make-believe play, engaging the spirits of former tenants, foreshadowing her eventual departure from the familiar and safe environment of her childhood home.

The novel explores various topographies of New York City, including Fulton Park, Fulton Street, 125th Street in Harlem, Prospect Park, the Brooklyn Public Library, Williamsburg, Greenwich Village, and the Upper East Side. Each location is imbued with social meaning and reflects the changing urban landscape of the time. The novel also examines the politics of space, particularly the significance of the stoop as a social gathering place and a symbol of community. The West Indian Carnival in Brooklyn is presented as a celebration of cultural identity and a testament to the resilience of the immigrant community.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The keywords and focus themes of the text include the immigrant experience, urban topographies, brownstone houses, Bed-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York City, family dynamics, cultural heritage, race, class, gender, social change, and the American Dream. The novel explores the complexities of these themes through the lens of Selina's coming-of-age journey, highlighting the challenges and opportunities faced by immigrants in a rapidly changing urban environment.

• Université: University of Paderborn
• Cours: Literary Topographies: New York
• Note: B+
• Auteur: Irene Fowlkes (Auteur)
• Année de publication: 2006
• Pages: 20
• N° de catalogue: V127590
• ISBN (ebook): 9783640340309
• ISBN (Livre): 9783640338238
• Langue: anglais
• mots-clé: brooklyn, bedford-stuyvesant, brownstones, Bildungsroman