The Farming of Bones - Article Example

The Farming of Bones Although written in an easily understood narrative tone, “The Farming of Bones” holds numerous connotations portraying the heightened spite experienced by Haitian immigrants in the Dominican Republic at the Reign of Dictator Rafael. The heightened tension between the two nationalities led to the heinous carnage of Haitians in the Dominican Republic during the post-colonial period (1937). Through leading characters such as Amabelle Desir, her lover Sebastian Onius and her friend Senora Valencia, the author Edwindge Danticat demonstrates the underlying issues that led to tension between the two countries, eventually leading to the massacre. Danticat also portrays the unfolding of events at the onset of mass killings of Haitians and the aftermath of the massacre especially on Haitian individuals who survived the inhuman ordeal. This paper discusses the massacre of 1937 in reference to The Farming of Bones, what caused it, its effects on both Haitians and Dominicans both in the past and the present as well as possible solutions Haiti and the Dominican Republic happen to share the same highland of Hispaniola. However, the economic disparity between the two countries in the post-colonial period forced Haitians whose country was engulfed in poverty to cross over to the Dominican Republic. The grass seemed greener on the Dominican soil, and Haitian immigrants hoped for a brighter future. Sadly, Dominicans disregarded Haitians as their equals and perceived them as second-class citizens or even worse aliens. In the end Haitians lost both their national and social identity once they crossed over to the Dominican Republic. Rafael Trujillo and his mass following of social delinquents perpetrated the bloody atrocities against Haitians in the Dominican Republic. Once Trujillo took control of the country, he ignited hatred and loath against Haitians that led to the massacre in 1937. According to Kathleen Baker author “The Farming of the Bones: How to make sense of an international Tragedy” Danticat considered Trujillo and his fanatical followers as perpetrators of the bloody massacre. That is the reason she disregards him in her narrative and focuses on the nameless and voiceless Haitians who suffered the whole ordeal (Baker 3). History cites that in the nineteenth century, the Alegria Island was invaded twice by Haitians, and the unpleasant ordeal caused by Haitians went straight into the Dominican National Memory. As political unrest and economic instability began to engulf Haiti, and Haitians began crossing over to the Dominican side to earn a living, Trujillo took advantage of the situation to best serve his revenge. Trujillo declared the Haitians immigrants a national threat to the Dominican sovereignty and economy. Trujillo made it seem that his attack on Haitian nationalities in his country was a necessary measure of defending his people from an impending attack by the immigrants. His spite and prejudice against Haitians made him perceive them as inhibitors to prosperity and work. Trujillo justified his prejudice against the Haitians by claims such as “Our motherland is Spain, theirs is darkest Africa" (260). The “Haitian Fever” made the Dominicans feel insecure about their national identity and individuality in the mere presence of the Haitian people. Haitians in the Dominican Republic in return felt excluded “They say some people do not belong anywhere and that is us” (Danticat 56). Trujillo’s main agenda was to wipe out the presence all Haitians from his country by killing them. By applying the policy of exclusion on the Haitian people, Trujillo succeeded in creating a Dominican National Identity and Individuality. Richard F Patterson compares Trujillo to Adolf Hitler who also thought he could purify his race by eliminating another race (225). Although some of the upper class Dominicans had prejudice over their poor Haitian servants, the massacre was also brought about by a struggle for natural resources in this case, the river between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. In page 140 of Farming the bones, Amabelle reveals that that she had heard of rumors of tension between Haiti and the Dominican Republic over land, the island. She thought of the rumors as farfetched and not involving her (Danticat). From Amabelle’s thoughts, it is quite evident that selfish acts of their presidents in this case Trujillo, to own the whole highland of Hispaniola by wiping out the other half (Haiti) led to the massacre. Even though Amabelle thought she was not affected by any of the speculations she had heard, she was wrong, she was gravely involved. However, Kathleen Baker demonstrates that the events of 1937 massacre against Haitians only brought the two nationalities together. Trujillo’s efforts to separate the two sides of the island only brought them much closer. This reflects the present day relationship between Haitians and Dominicans. In the refugee camp, a wounded Dominican tries to save wounded Haitian as well despite the language barrier. In the times of atrocities committed against Haitians, the Dominicans especially the poor ones empathize with them, creating an emotional link. Amabelle notes that the refugee camp is a home to many Dominicans as well; this destroys the arbitrary boundaries founded by Trujillo. The camp served as a unifying avenue for both Dominicans and Haitians united by a common element of suffering. While still in the camp Amabelle notes that, everyone looked so much alike, like one people, and it was impossible to differentiate Haitians from Dominicans (Danticat 217). Danticat reveals that even though Trujillo’ policies were flawed and brought misery and suffering to the Dominican people, in the end rather planting a seed of hatred between the two countries, he brings them together. In the present day, Dominicans of the lower social status relate well with Haitian immigrants, even though the upper class Dominicans might still hold prejudice against the Haitians. Sebastian, Amabelle’s lover, who toils and labors in the cane serves a representation of hundreds of other Haitian laborers who toiled in the cane field and the hardships they experienced as immigrants. Danticat identifies the lack of both a national and individual identity as the main cause of psychological suffering amongst Haitian immigrants in the Dominican Republic. Sebastian like other Haitian immigrants misses his motherland dearly. He does not wish to harvest anymore and he is dying to see his mother (Danticat 147). In the Dominican Republic, life is worse for Sebastian than even his own country for he is not only poor, but also alienated. Sebastian lacks both identity and social position. That causes Sebastian together with other cane fields’ laborers a psychological pain and torture. Sebastian represents first generation Haitians who migrated to Haiti with to have a better life. Carole Boyce Davies interprets the role of Sebastian as representative of modern times immigrants who long to be with their families back home. Sebastian believes that home is where he finds both spiritual and emotional solace. Every immigrant man in the modern world can relate to the plight of Sebastian. Even though individuals migrate to foreign lands as means of improving both their economic and social positions, the harsh reality lies have to sacrifice their personal identity and adorn the title of “others." The psychological effects of the massacre left Haitian immigrants often pondering over their individual identity and self-worth (Hewett 123). Danticat employs Amabelle as the spokespersons of the nameless and faceless Haitian immigrant who experienced brutality against them at the reign of Trujillo. She shares her dreams with her lover Sebastian as the only means of escaping her hostile environment and plight. In the first Chapter of the novel, Amabelle laments her life becoming a nightmare that haunts every minute of her existence. She relies only on her dreams to escape her cruel reality. Amabelle’s nightmares have gravely affected her life, and as a consequent Amabelle’s life has become her nightmare. The same psychological torture that Sebastian faces while trying to find as sense of identity and social placement is the same feeling of not belonging that engulfs Amabelle. Amabelle travels to back and forth between her country Haiti and country of residence the Dominican Republic. She is striving for both a national and social identity, but later finds herself all alone and alienated by both her mother country and the Dominican Republic. She represents a significant number of Haitians still confused over the national and social identity despite the massacre being past them (Dhar 193). Prior to fleeing back to Haiti, Amabelle contemplates her decision to go back to Haiti. She has not been in her birth country for a longtime, and she is scared that her birthright, her home, her father’s land may be not belong to her anymore (Danticat 184). Such a revelation ascertains that despite the exclusion of Haitians in the Dominican Republic, going back to Haiti did not offer a permanent solution to their identity crisis. While crossing the border into Haiti, Amabelle with her friend Yves meet other Haitian immigrants discussing their plight: “They looked back and they reordered the moments—second vision, hindsight. What could have been done differently? Whatever became of our national creed?” (Danticat 212-213). Danticat portrays the emotional and psychological frustrations of Haitians who cannot fathom the plight that has befallen their once strong country. However, the psychological effects racial segregation in the Dominican Republic, did not only affect Haitian immigrants but also the Dominicans themselves. Senora Valencia serves as an exemplary of Dominicans gravely affected by events leading to the 1937 massacre. Senora Valencia delivers a set of twins who lack a physical resemblance whatsoever. One of the twins, the boy is lighter and stronger than the girl who is weak and dark. The lighter and stronger twin represents the Dominican Republic, while the weaker twin represents Haiti both united in the womb, the island of Hispaniola. She fears the discrimination and spite that might befall her daughter, and this she discloses to her close friend Amabelle. The sense of collective suffering made Valencia empathize with Amabelle. The Dominicans were psychologically torn between obeying Trujillo’s flawed policies and maintaining a relationship with their Haitian friends. However, the massacre only strengthened the bond between Haitians and the Dominican people. At first glance, the events that culminated to the 1937 massacre might seem as caused by racial prejudice. However, Danticat demonstrates that issues between the two countries can be traced back to the colonial days. The issues of boundaries intertwined by matters of identity constructs are the underlying reason behind the heightened tension between the two countries during the reign of Trujillo. Even though the Dominican and the Haitians are supposed to be one people, the boundaries laid down by colonialists, led to their separation. Driven by poverty in their motherland, Haitians crossed the boundary over to the Dominican in search of a brighter future. However, immediately they cross over to the other side, they lose both their social and national identity. That is one among the negative effects of colonialism (Novak 93). Even though a boundary might constitute to respecting another person’s space and privacy, hence resulting into a healthy relationship, boundaries can also be the cause of self-destruction. Since an identity builds on boundaries, it is imperative to note that if a boundary alienates and segregate a poor country from another, it will plant seeds of racism, suspicion and hatred between the countries. Danticat suggests that for the two countries to bury their differences and move forward in a collective unity, it is important to destroy the boundaries between them. According to Martin W. Todd, Amabelle’s return to the Dominican Republic suggests that she finds a home in both countries. As she enters the river at the end of the novel the “in betweenness” suggests that she is neither Dominican nor Haitian. This novel can be interpreted as an initiator of interrogation between the two countries. The author wishes to see a borderless Haiti and the Dominican Republic united as one nation. Through her protagonist Amabelle, Danticat demonstrates that through shared experiences, nations can move forward as one, regardless of their past differences. As noted, Danticat’s novel not only reconstructs the social problems that Haiti and Dominican republic faced, but also the consequences of human irrationality. The author seems to point out countries and leadership world over should learn from the incidence that there is a need for effective and responsible leadership. His re-narration of the massacre may be seen as a move to condemn all social evils propagated by the political leadership. He demonstrates that power relations and authority is a responsibility that should be handled with care. Above all, his novel also points out that the world has a responsibility to intervene through established agencies on matters that violate fundamental human rights. Although Danticat focuses on poor leadership, je also delves into the question of discrimination as the root of many social evils. Just as in the case of the massacre of the Haitians, the author demonstrates that there is a need for tolerance not just between nations but also generally between the mighty and the weak. By using various characters, their interpersonal relationships and experiences, the author condemns conflicts. The novel demonstrates the need to appreciate diversity. Works Cited Baker, Kathleen. "The Farming of Bones: How to Make Sense of International Tragedy." The Delta (2008): 59-69. Danticat, Edwidge. The Farming of Bones. New York: Penguin, 1998. Print. Dhar, Nandini. "Memory, Gender, Race And Class: Edwidge Danticats The Farming Of Bones." Obsidian III: Literature In The African Diaspora 6-7.2-1 (2005): 185-202. Hewett, Heather. "At The Crossroads: Disability And Trauma In The Farming Of Bones." Melus 3 (2006): 123. Perterson, Richard. "“Ressurecting Rafael: Fictional Incarnations of a Dominican." Callaloo. 29 (2006): 223-38. Martin, W. Todd. "Looking for the Dawn” in Danticats THE FARMING OF BONES." Explicator. 65 (2007): 248-50. Print. Novak, Amy. "A Marred Testament: Cultural Trauma And Narrative In Danticats The Farming Of Bones." Arizona Quarterly: A Journal of American Literature, Culture, And Theory 4 (2006): 93. Read More