Essay On Bertram In A State Of Independence

After spending 20 years in the England, Bertram Francis, the protagonist in Caryl Phillips’ A State of Independence, has begun to feel like an outsider. As the colonies of the British Empire began to become Independent, many migrants in the metropolis were faced with discrimination and encouraged return to their motherlands. However, upon his return, Bertram realizes that he is perceived just as much of an outsider in his homeland as he is in England because the islanders’ no longer accept Berman as one of their own due his change in character as well as past dissociation from the island. During his time abroad, Bertram adapted his way of life to the metropolitan lifestyle. In doing so, he began to distance himself from his cultural heritage, which eventual lead to his lack of belonging. A moment after arriving to St. Kitts, Bertram’s taxi driver takes notice of his European style. After asking how long Bertram has been off the island, the cabdriver says, “Well, one thing you going have to remember…is that we don’t rush things here. You rushing me too much, and I don’t
The “society wants nothing to do with the European nature during the decolonization of the island. Even though Bertram is originally Caribbean, the rest of the society now perceive him as though the “Englishman fuck[ed] up [his] head” and different from the rest of society. Just as Bertram was discriminated against in England for his differences during the separation of St. Kitts and England, he is also being discriminated against in St. Kitts for being too English. He does not belong in either place and neither place with except him because both societies perceive him as a member of the other community. The Independence of St. Kitts has left Bertram stranded in between two countries, neither of which will accept