Date of Award
8-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
English
Committee Chair/Advisor
Dr. Gabriel Hankins
Committee Member
Dr. Cameron Bushnell
Committee Member
Dr. Susanna Ashton
Abstract
This thesis examines the impact of the motherland and maternal figure in shaping Lucy’s character in exile and her journey of self-discovery in Jamaica Kincaid’s Lucy. It explores the role of the past in shaping Lucy’s present by focusing on colonialism and the influence of both the Antiguan and white maternal figures on her path toward independence and self-discovery. Throughout the narrative, Kincaid invites readers to follow the deep and complicated relationship between Lucy’s white mother, Mariah, and her mother in Antigua. These interactions shape Lucy’s character and encourage readers to view the story not just as the tale of a young girl leaving her homeland, but as a story of self-discovery, history, and trauma. I also explore how Kincaid redefines diaspora through the mother-daughter relationship. Alongside my analysis of Lucy, I briefly refer to Kincaid’s short story “Girl” to deepen the discussion of maternal control, cultural displacement, and postcolonialism.
These texts help readers solve the puzzle of Lucy’s life, one that cannot be completed without all its key elements. Lucy’s attempt to build an independent life reflects her fight against the emotional ruins of her past and the burden of maternal love and resentment. The echo of nostalgia, exile, trauma, and guilt persist throughout her story. Her effort to create a semi-utopian space for herself collides with two maternal figures: her biological mother and Mariah.
Recommended Citation
Ebrahimi, Zahra, "The Shape of Absence: Diaspora and Echoes of Mother in Lucy" (2025). All Theses. 4558.
https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4558