Metonomy By Jamaica Kincaid

Jamaica Kincaid’s article “On Seeing England for the First Time," uses metonomy to give her reader a precise analysis of her perception of England and its people. She begins with her first encounter of England on a map and the great significance it holds for the people of her nation. She speaks of it as a special jewel that only certain people may wear, as this country was described as precious and admirable. Later, she emphasizes England’s significance by informing the reader of a typical breakfast she eats, consisting of multiple components that are all imported from England. She repeatedly mentions the fact that she eats oat porridge and drinks hot cocoa, despite the fact that she is living in a country with a hot climate. She adds that
her father constantly wears a felt hat that is completely inappropriate for their weather, in order to display his love and admiration for England. Kincaid continues to emphasize the nation’s obsession with England by describing how her mother has taught her to even eat in an English way, that she never felt comfortable doing. She reflects back when her teacher asked her to draw a map of England and how small this made her feel, she then writes that it was a blessing that she was never able to draw it correctly. Later, the text goes on to talk about her knowledge of English history and how so many of her family members were actually named after English heroes, despite the fact that they are not even from there. She continuously describes this irrelevant information about England, in order to vividly depict how ridiculous her nation’s dedication to this country really is. Kincaid then creates an image of what she believes the streets and people of England are like, pale skin, blue eyes, and smell of lavender. She goes on about the false stories and beliefs she held growing up, living in a nation colonized by England. This then leads to the introduction to her first encounter of the real England and the disappointment that arises. She describes this encounter as a “hole filled with nothing," as she comes to the realization that her dream of a perfect nation has been completely fabricated. The text bursts with anger and disappointment, as Jamaica Kincaid bashes England and exposes it for what it really is.