a day i will never forget
SUMMARY
This is the story of Mama King, an elderly woman with a strong and indomitable spirit. We meet Mama King when she is placed in Frangipani House, a rest home, by her children who live in America. Her experience at the rest home is a claustrophobic one that robs her of her freedom, and slowly leeches away at her senses. She delves into her memories in order to survive that experience, but eventually gains enough lucidity to escape. This escape leads to the family descending on the island to seek out their beloved Mama.
SETTING
The story is set in Guyana.
The timeline flits between 1950-1970.
SOCIAL CONTEXT
1950-1970 saw a period of emigration in Guyana.
Parents would leave Guyana to seek financial amelioration in either the US or the UK.
The offspring of these emigrants would often remain with grandmothers until the parents gained a stable financial footing. The parents would then take their children to live with them.
In many cases, these migrants did not return to Guyana.
Therefore, migration facilitated a way out of poverty, but often resulted in dysfunctional families.
CHARACTERS
Mrs. Mabel Alexandrina King (Mama King)
69 years old.
She has two children, Token and Cylette.
She has five grandchildren; Soloman, Cindy, Charlie, Boyson and Markey.
Her husband's name was Danny.
She was physically abused by Danny.
Her best friend is Ginchi.
Mama King is a very feisty old lady who often kept the nurses in line.
She was very independent, as seen in her feelings of isolation at Frangipani House vs. peace among the beggars.
She was very poor, as seen in her recollections of the various things she did to provide for her children.
She was very loving, as seen in the kindness shown to her grandchildren.
She is an excellent mother who was willing to take on the most menial of tasks in order to ensure the survival of her children.
Olga Trask (Matron)
Matron had an excellent reputation as a woman who was good, and did good works.
She purchased Frangipani
This is the story of Mama King, an elderly woman with a strong and indomitable spirit. We meet Mama King when she is placed in Frangipani House, a rest home, by her children who live in America. Her experience at the rest home is a claustrophobic one that robs her of her freedom, and slowly leeches away at her senses. She delves into her memories in order to survive that experience, but eventually gains enough lucidity to escape. This escape leads to the family descending on the island to seek out their beloved Mama.
SETTING
The story is set in Guyana.
The timeline flits between 1950-1970.
SOCIAL CONTEXT
1950-1970 saw a period of emigration in Guyana.
Parents would leave Guyana to seek financial amelioration in either the US or the UK.
The offspring of these emigrants would often remain with grandmothers until the parents gained a stable financial footing. The parents would then take their children to live with them.
In many cases, these migrants did not return to Guyana.
Therefore, migration facilitated a way out of poverty, but often resulted in dysfunctional families.
CHARACTERS
Mrs. Mabel Alexandrina King (Mama King)
69 years old.
She has two children, Token and Cylette.
She has five grandchildren; Soloman, Cindy, Charlie, Boyson and Markey.
Her husband's name was Danny.
She was physically abused by Danny.
Her best friend is Ginchi.
Mama King is a very feisty old lady who often kept the nurses in line.
She was very independent, as seen in her feelings of isolation at Frangipani House vs. peace among the beggars.
She was very poor, as seen in her recollections of the various things she did to provide for her children.
She was very loving, as seen in the kindness shown to her grandchildren.
She is an excellent mother who was willing to take on the most menial of tasks in order to ensure the survival of her children.
Olga Trask (Matron)
Matron had an excellent reputation as a woman who was good, and did good works.
She purchased Frangipani