Black Shack Alley is probably my favourite novel compared to the others we have read in this class. I noticed that in most of the books we’ve read so far, literature has a significant effect on the protagonist of the book. For Jose, books allowed him to deepen his knowledge of the world. He saw that all of the novels were about people with blond hair and blue eyes and this inspired him to write his own story, for people like him. Like most of the character from the previous books, literature played a big role in shaping Jose as a person.
In part 1 of the novel, Jose was is innocent and had no real knowledge of the oppressing society his family lived in. All that mattered to him was being free of his M’man Tine and roam the Shack Alley: “We were alone and the world was ours” (p.12). The inevitable punishment he would receive upon arriving home was worth it for the few hours of freedom he had. In parts 2 and 3 of the story we see Jose realize that M’man Tine isn’t who’s keeping him from his freedom, but rather the world he was born into. He lives a difficult life with many challenges at a very young age and looses his innocence to the harsh realities of the world way too soon: “I could do nothing to get accustomed to it nor put an end to it” (p.84). I think this quote really sums up the emotions of not just Jose, but everyone in his community. This was their life and they were well aware that nothing they did would change the system. My heart broke for the feelings of hopelessness Jose felt at such a young age.
I think that it was his time at the lycée that he matured the most. Going to school, reading all these books made him question things. My favourite quote from this books is this: ” I felt within me that she was subjected to an unjust punishment” (P.166). In this moment, he was talking about his M’man Tine, finally realizing how much she had suffered, how carefully she had sheltered him for as long as she could. He was questioning thing about his society, about why they had to live in poverty. His curiosity encouraging his studies. Jose deciding to write his own novel because no one writes about people like him was such an empowering thing to do. He would use his voice even if people did not want to hear about it.
My question this week:
Both Jose and Agostino grew up in poverty, and both novels are somewhat a coming of age story: in what ways do you think that Jose and Agostino are similar/different?
Hi Nini!
Thank you for sharing!
Like you, I found this book very intriguing. I loved watching Jose’s growth and experiences. To answer your question. I think the biggest difference between Jose and Agostino comes from systematic inequality.While they both seemed to lack in father’s love, M’man Tine and Jose’s mother provide Jose the support and love with the cost of their health. Despite these supports, Jose still faced hardships he does not deserve to. However, Agostino’s path toward future is not as hard like Jose. The society will not oppress him due to his identity and who he is.
Hey Hini,
I enjoyed reading your blog for this week. To answer your question, Jose and Agostino are similar because they are both young teenage boys coming of age and both struggle with identity issues. Also they have issues with the impact of societal influences on individual identity.
Hini,
Jose definitely suffered more than Agostino as Jose was not as fortunate as him. Jose is discriminated against and will go through life through a more difficult path. While Agostino is fortunate and privileged. However, some might argue that Jose had a better childhood in terms of friendship and freedom because of the sense of community Black Shack Alley provided him.
Hello!
I really love the question you posed of Jose and Agostino. I feel like while they both grew up in entirely different worlds in terms of class and race, they both have to come to terms with the awkwardness and the fear that comes with growing up. This anxiety of adolescence is a very universal experience, it just manifests itself differently when intersecting with race,class,gender and education.
Nine, I loved your comment about how books open a different world up for Jose and played a role in being able to see the systemic injustices of the world.
Thanks for your comment,
Tesi
Hi Nini, I really enjoyed reading your blog!
“My heart broke for the feelings of hopelessness Jose felt at such a young age.” I relate to this so much since this book has broken my heart so many times. Answering your question, I think both Agostino and Jose suffered from a feeling of hopelessness. While Jose had to deal with racism as well as teenage years, they both share the sense of futility and bewilderment that comes with the adolescent experience.