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Georgia and Them There United States - Literature Notes
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Velma Pollard was born in Jamaica in 1937. She attended Excelsior High School, as well as the University College, now known as the University of the West Indies She also attended McGill University and has taught in high schools and universities in Jamaica, Trinidad, Guyana, and the USA.
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PLOT
This short story is based on the reflections of June, the protagonist. The short story opens with her reading a letter that was written by her Aunt Leticia (Teach), to June's mother. Leticia reports that she has become a US citizen, and conveys her joy to be free of Jamaica, which she describes as a downgraded place. She pities her nieces because they do not have an opportunity (www.bulbsoup.com) to leave the island, but is thankful that her daughter, Georgia, will have that chance. The scene then changes to June lying under a sour-sop tree, on a crocus bag. The reader sees her total appreciation and love of her island home, Jamaica. The scene changes yet again. She is driving through the Bronx and is shell-shocked by the ugliness and dinginess of the place that people dream of visiting. She goes to Aunt Leticia's office and is paraded in front of her co-workers. The true shock, however, comes when she sees her cousin Georgia. June notices that Georgia, Georgia that she knew in Jamaica, does not exist anymore. She had been replaced by a giggling and bewigged young lady that she no longer knew. June then reflects on the 'specialness' of all things American, then decides that it is not that special after all.
This short story is based on the reflections of June, the protagonist. The short story opens with her reading a letter that was written by her Aunt Leticia (Teach), to June's mother. Leticia reports that she has become a US citizen, and conveys her joy to be free of Jamaica, which she describes as a downgraded place. She pities her nieces because they do not have an opportunity (www.bulbsoup.com) to leave the island, but is thankful that her daughter, Georgia, will have that chance. The scene then changes to June lying under a sour-sop tree, on a crocus bag. The reader sees her total appreciation and love of her island home, Jamaica. The scene changes yet again. She is driving through the Bronx and is shell-shocked by the ugliness and dinginess of the place that people dream of visiting. She goes to Aunt Leticia's office and is paraded in front of her co-workers. The true shock, however, comes when she sees her cousin Georgia. June notices that Georgia, Georgia that she knew in Jamaica, does not exist anymore. She had been replaced by a giggling and bewigged young lady that she no longer knew. June then reflects on the 'specialness' of all things American, then decides that it is not that special after all.
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SETTING
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CONFLICT
Aunt Leticia and June are in an intellectual opposition, or conflict, based on their perception of Jamaica. The audience gets involved in this conflict because the setting changes from Jamaica to the Bronx, and we get to make our own decisions.
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CHARACTERS
June
Leticia Green [Teach]
Georgia
June
- A young girl who appreciates her Jamaican heritage.
- Aunt Leticia's niece.
- Georgia's cousin.
- She is unconventional because she has short natural hair in a period when this look was, generally, unappreciated.
- She has her own perspective, and opinions, on the things that occur around her.
Leticia Green [Teach]
- June's aunt.
- Georgia's mother.
- She does not appreciate Jamaica and views it as a 'down-graded' (Pollard, 137) place.
- She does not appreciate June's short natural hair.
- She wears a wig and appreciates all things American.
Georgia
- Leticia's daughter.
- She lived in Jamaica with June and her family, until Aunt Leticia was able to afford her the opportunity to live in the United States.
- June describes her as 'simple' [Pollard, 140] while she was living in Jamaica.
- June then describes her as 'mad' [Pollard, 140] after she went to live in the United States.
- Georgia changes so much while in the US that her cousin, June, says that she does not recognize her.
THEMATIC TABLE
THEMES
Love and Family Relationship
This theme is highlighted by the fact that the family seems to have been able to stay bonded, despite a physical separation. Aunt Leticia is in the Bronx while the rest of the family remains in Jamaica, but she writes to her sister in an attempt to maintain a relationship with her. We also see that Leticia has trusted her sister to be her daughter's caregiver until she can have her daughter with her. The family bonds appear to be strong, despite the fact that Leticia appears to be a blunt character with limited emotional intelligence.
Patriotism
June appreciates her island home, Jamaica. The reader sees her lying on a crocus bag, under a sour sop tree, simply appreciating the calm and peace that her island offers. She is mesmerized by the beauty of the island, as seen when she simply relaxes and appreciates the 'clustered greenery of orange trees as far as the eye could see' [Pollard, 138]. Her profound love of country is seen in her statement that she knew that no city could 'claim the grass-bound, hill-bound soul of me.' [Pollard, 138]. Aunt Leticia's lack of appreciation of her island home, on the other hand, is a contrast to June's attitude to Jamaica. Aunt Leticia refers to Jamaica as a 'down-graded' [Pollard, 137] place that she is thankful that she does not have to set eyes on again. She is of the opinion that her relatives are living in misery and is grateful that her daughter will 'escape the Kingston slums.' [Pollard, 137] Ironically, the appreciation that should be accorded for her place of birth is reserved for the place where she chooses to live, the United States. Aunt Leticia's excitement over becoming an American citizen is almost tangible and is clearly seen in her praise of central heating, snow, and Coney Island.
Desire
The family bond, mentioned under the theme of love and family relationship is further highlighted in Leticia's desire to have her family experience the richness of life in America "I hope that one day I will be able to send you the fare for a seventeen-day trip". (Pollard, 137). This desire cements the idea that Letitia loves her family. Yes, she is an abrasive character, but she is trying to give her family what she believes is good.
Alienation
June's short natural hair is a testament to her confidence and love of self which, paradoxically, becomes the tool by which Aunt Letitia attempts to alienate June. Her first private moment with Aunt Letitia is met with the comment "But what happened to your hair? ... I had told my friends expect my niece I should have said my nephew." (Pollard, 139). This attempt fails because June possesses an "interior confidence" (Pollard, 159) that Aunt Leticia cannot touch. The attempt at alienation, however, serves the purpose of highlighting the concept of black hair as being tied to one's self-esteem. June comments that her sister had warned her that 'in America the wig is the black woman's good-morning-white-America-how-are-you before coffee, before prayers if any, before good morning to your black mother who sleeps in the bed next to you.' [Pollard, 139]. This implies that the black woman cannot function until she hides her natural qualities. This sentiment of dismissal regarding one's birthright is accepted by Aunt Leticia, and, in turn, passed on to Georgia, who is also seen wearing a long straight wig.
Childhood experiences
June appears to have only positive feelings about growing up in Jamaica. She is seen lying under a sour sop tree, on a crocus bag, and just enjoying her island home. This theme is tied to patriotism because the reader is made aware of the genesis of her patriotic views.
Love and Family Relationship
This theme is highlighted by the fact that the family seems to have been able to stay bonded, despite a physical separation. Aunt Leticia is in the Bronx while the rest of the family remains in Jamaica, but she writes to her sister in an attempt to maintain a relationship with her. We also see that Leticia has trusted her sister to be her daughter's caregiver until she can have her daughter with her. The family bonds appear to be strong, despite the fact that Leticia appears to be a blunt character with limited emotional intelligence.
Patriotism
June appreciates her island home, Jamaica. The reader sees her lying on a crocus bag, under a sour sop tree, simply appreciating the calm and peace that her island offers. She is mesmerized by the beauty of the island, as seen when she simply relaxes and appreciates the 'clustered greenery of orange trees as far as the eye could see' [Pollard, 138]. Her profound love of country is seen in her statement that she knew that no city could 'claim the grass-bound, hill-bound soul of me.' [Pollard, 138]. Aunt Leticia's lack of appreciation of her island home, on the other hand, is a contrast to June's attitude to Jamaica. Aunt Leticia refers to Jamaica as a 'down-graded' [Pollard, 137] place that she is thankful that she does not have to set eyes on again. She is of the opinion that her relatives are living in misery and is grateful that her daughter will 'escape the Kingston slums.' [Pollard, 137] Ironically, the appreciation that should be accorded for her place of birth is reserved for the place where she chooses to live, the United States. Aunt Leticia's excitement over becoming an American citizen is almost tangible and is clearly seen in her praise of central heating, snow, and Coney Island.
Desire
The family bond, mentioned under the theme of love and family relationship is further highlighted in Leticia's desire to have her family experience the richness of life in America "I hope that one day I will be able to send you the fare for a seventeen-day trip". (Pollard, 137). This desire cements the idea that Letitia loves her family. Yes, she is an abrasive character, but she is trying to give her family what she believes is good.
Alienation
June's short natural hair is a testament to her confidence and love of self which, paradoxically, becomes the tool by which Aunt Letitia attempts to alienate June. Her first private moment with Aunt Letitia is met with the comment "But what happened to your hair? ... I had told my friends expect my niece I should have said my nephew." (Pollard, 139). This attempt fails because June possesses an "interior confidence" (Pollard, 159) that Aunt Leticia cannot touch. The attempt at alienation, however, serves the purpose of highlighting the concept of black hair as being tied to one's self-esteem. June comments that her sister had warned her that 'in America the wig is the black woman's good-morning-white-America-how-are-you before coffee, before prayers if any, before good morning to your black mother who sleeps in the bed next to you.' [Pollard, 139]. This implies that the black woman cannot function until she hides her natural qualities. This sentiment of dismissal regarding one's birthright is accepted by Aunt Leticia, and, in turn, passed on to Georgia, who is also seen wearing a long straight wig.
Childhood experiences
June appears to have only positive feelings about growing up in Jamaica. She is seen lying under a sour sop tree, on a crocus bag, and just enjoying her island home. This theme is tied to patriotism because the reader is made aware of the genesis of her patriotic views.
TECHNIQUES
Juxtaposition
A distinct contrast is seen in ideas, specifically between Aunt Leticia's attitude to Jamaica, versus June's attitude to Jamaica. Leticia views Jamaica as a 'downgraded' place with no redeeming qualities, while June appreciates her island home.
Irony
It is ironic that Aunt Leticia pities her relatives who reside in a downgraded Jamaica, yet the relatives, as seen through the point of view of June, are doing just fine, "Here we are, not even aware that we were in misery; and there she was, wasting so much pity on us. Who decides what is meat and what is poison?" (Pollard, 138).
Juxtaposition
A distinct contrast is seen in ideas, specifically between Aunt Leticia's attitude to Jamaica, versus June's attitude to Jamaica. Leticia views Jamaica as a 'downgraded' place with no redeeming qualities, while June appreciates her island home.
Irony
It is ironic that Aunt Leticia pities her relatives who reside in a downgraded Jamaica, yet the relatives, as seen through the point of view of June, are doing just fine, "Here we are, not even aware that we were in misery; and there she was, wasting so much pity on us. Who decides what is meat and what is poison?" (Pollard, 138).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Where did Leticia live?
2. Who was the recipient of Leticia's letter?
3. Where is Leticia's place of birth? How does she feel about this place?
4. Who will escape the Kingston slums? How?
5. Why did June pity her Aunt Leticia and Georgia?
6. Describe June's response to her first sight of the Bronx?
7. Where did June meet Aunt Leticia? What occurred there?
8. What did June's sister tell her about wigs in America? What was left out of this explanation?
9. How did Georgia change, according to June?
10. Summarize June's description of American clothes.
11. Why did June write her father and beg him not to tell anyone that she had gone to the United States?
1. Where did Leticia live?
2. Who was the recipient of Leticia's letter?
3. Where is Leticia's place of birth? How does she feel about this place?
4. Who will escape the Kingston slums? How?
5. Why did June pity her Aunt Leticia and Georgia?
6. Describe June's response to her first sight of the Bronx?
7. Where did June meet Aunt Leticia? What occurred there?
8. What did June's sister tell her about wigs in America? What was left out of this explanation?
9. How did Georgia change, according to June?
10. Summarize June's description of American clothes.
11. Why did June write her father and beg him not to tell anyone that she had gone to the United States?
Contributor: L. Samuels-Thomas
Pollard, V. 'Georgia and Them There United States' in A World of Prose, edited by David Williams and Hazel Simmons-McDonald. (Harlow, Essex) Pearson Education, 2005.
Pollard, V. 'Georgia and Them There United States' in A World of Prose, edited by David Williams and Hazel Simmons-McDonald. (Harlow, Essex) Pearson Education, 2005.
