Paule Marshall Brown Girl Brownstones Analysis

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Paule Marshall’s Brown Girl Brownstones revolves around Barbadian (Bajan) immigrants living in Brooklyn, New York. As a non-native black population, the Bajan community is forced to consider their American identity, which presents issue that are new to them. Some people in the community are unable or are not willingness to assimilate into the established culture of America and they find themselves in a system into which they cannot fit. Marshall focuses the story on a particular family known as the Boyce family. They are Bajan decedents who settle in Brooklyn. Although, the Boyce family migrates to America for a better life, their lives are a tremendous struggle and pursuit of the American Dream utterly destroys the family. The Boyce family consists of Silla, the mother, Deighton, the father and Selina and Ina, their two daughters. After Silla and Deighton get married, they move from Barbados, in around …show more content…

Both Silla and Deighton feel the need to own something that represents a security in their community. For Silla, owning the brownstone gives her an ultimate prize in the American society. Owning a home means owning land and owning land for many immigrants is the key to moving up in society. While most native Blacks at the time were fighting for their civil rights, Silla is obsessed by the American Dream of house ownership. She is extremely ambitious and driven, working ridiculous hours to save the money to buy the property. Even more remarkably, she does it by herself while at the same time supporting her family. Silla ultimately becomes so maniacal about owning the brownstone, however, that it becomes her only priority. She even starts to destroy her family relationships by being overly oppressive. She emasculates and resents her husband for not helping her achieve her

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