Dual Sides of Femininity in Louise Bennett's Poem, Jamaica Oman
Sophia Dai
Dr. Gannon
Global Perspectives
14 Sep. 2014
Dual Sides of Femininity in Louise Bennett’s Poem “Jamaica Oman” “Oman luck mus come!” (48). These words demonstrate Louise Bennett’s view that Jamaican women are liberated and share the same level of respect as men, who used to be regarded as superior. No matter their races or social classes, Jamaican women rise from discriminated groups to be the heads of households and successful leaders in all kinds of professions. Louise Bennett herself was actually one of these rising women. Born in a rural family, she was a successful writer who insisted on writing in Jamaican English, the dialect deeply influenced by English colonization. Viewed by colonizers as corruption of English language, Jamaican English is more straightforward and succinct, and should not be regarded as inferior to standard English. Similar to Jamaican English, Jamaican femininity as expressed in Bennett’s poem “Jamaica Oman” derives from another source, stereotypical male qualities, without completely giving way to masculinity, which is conventionally thought to be stronger and necessary to support weak femininity. The femininity represented in the poem is mainly expressed in three ways: successful work both inside and outside the house; management of the family budget; and the strength and power that push men forward. All of these comprise the uniqueness of Jamaican women and show the dual sides of femininity: strength and tenderness. To begin, Bennett points out that, just like men, Jamaican women are successful at work outside the house: Look how long Jamaica oman —Modder, sister, wife, sweetheart— Outa road an eena yard den Poona A dominate her part! (5-8)
This four-line stanza clearly shows that Jamaican women are liberated from the role of stereotypical housewife, who only stays at home all day looking after the children while the family income comes only from the man. Jamaican women actually start to
Dr. Gannon
Global Perspectives
14 Sep. 2014
Dual Sides of Femininity in Louise Bennett’s Poem “Jamaica Oman” “Oman luck mus come!” (48). These words demonstrate Louise Bennett’s view that Jamaican women are liberated and share the same level of respect as men, who used to be regarded as superior. No matter their races or social classes, Jamaican women rise from discriminated groups to be the heads of households and successful leaders in all kinds of professions. Louise Bennett herself was actually one of these rising women. Born in a rural family, she was a successful writer who insisted on writing in Jamaican English, the dialect deeply influenced by English colonization. Viewed by colonizers as corruption of English language, Jamaican English is more straightforward and succinct, and should not be regarded as inferior to standard English. Similar to Jamaican English, Jamaican femininity as expressed in Bennett’s poem “Jamaica Oman” derives from another source, stereotypical male qualities, without completely giving way to masculinity, which is conventionally thought to be stronger and necessary to support weak femininity. The femininity represented in the poem is mainly expressed in three ways: successful work both inside and outside the house; management of the family budget; and the strength and power that push men forward. All of these comprise the uniqueness of Jamaican women and show the dual sides of femininity: strength and tenderness. To begin, Bennett points out that, just like men, Jamaican women are successful at work outside the house: Look how long Jamaica oman —Modder, sister, wife, sweetheart— Outa road an eena yard den Poona A dominate her part! (5-8)
This four-line stanza clearly shows that Jamaican women are liberated from the role of stereotypical housewife, who only stays at home all day looking after the children while the family income comes only from the man. Jamaican women actually start to