MARXISM IN GEORGE LAMMING'S IN THE CASTLE OF MY SKIN

Abstract

This paper aims to attempt a critical reading of George Lamming's first novel In the Castle of My Skin within the purview of the Marxist and post-colonial literary theories. Essentially, it shall examine socio-economic issues in the novel like: economic exploitation and/or marginalization colonialism, land ownership as well as issues of socio-political injustices and land deprivation and exploitation shall be explored in the light of Marxist ad post-colonial readings. The abject lack of culture and traditional customs ad value systems, as well as the social pressures brought on the people with the coming of the white men shall also be explored in the paper. Our conclusion which shall be draw from our explorations will reveal the nexus between the comings of the Whiteman to the West Indian island nation of Barbados, the reactions of their people I the light of their historical antecedent ad the concomitant effect on them. This work shall be one of the few tying this novel to a Marxist/Postcolonial reading and would thus be a good contribution to scholarship along this line of study