Premium Essay

How Does Dabydeen Use Repetition In Mammita's Garden Cove

Submitted By
Words 715
Pages 3
In the late 1800’s, the concept of the American dream inspired thousands of immigrants to seek a better life. The 2nd wave of immigrants brought poor and hungry souls wanting to make it big in a new country. During this time, some found success, while others struggled. In “Mammita’s Garden Cove” by Cyril Dabydeen, Max’s attitudes toward the concept of place as he immigrates to Canada are artfully revealed in an excerpt from the short story.
Throughout the excerpt, Dabydeen emphasizes Max’s unstable sense of place through repetition. Dabydeen ties Max’s reality to the ground through “walking”. Dabydeen begins with Max “walking” around in Toronto, Canada . The reiteration of “walking” exposes Max’s situation. Dabydeen makes it clear that Max …show more content…
When Max thinks about his dreams, he forgets about the “ground”. Every time Max is in the “world of fantasy”, he convinces himself that positive things are to come. Max thinks of “marrying...having children and later buying a house”. Max has goals and aspirations that keep him going. However, when Max comes back to reality, Dabydeen creates a sharp contrast in scene. Quickly pleasant dreams turn to a harsh truth. The thought that “no one starved in Canada” is contradicted by “a growling in his stomach”. Max also acknowledges how “Mammita would really be surprised to see him living” this way. The difference between what he wants to happen and what actually happens is distinct. Max’s priority of finding a “job” is evident, but “wishing” clearly will not make it happen. Dabydeen reinforces the idea that no matter how much something is wanted, solely want will not make it happen. Each time Max returns to the real world, Max shows small signs of frustration with “his heels press into the asphalt” or his “feet kicking hard ground”. The author shows that Max did not expect to be treated this way in Canada. His aspirations are very different from the sad truth he faces. Dabydeen paints contrasting scenes to show how Max’s sense of place is dislocated, but driven. He is currently not where he wants to be, but he does know where he wants to

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Mammitas Garden Cove

...2013B Carefully read the following excerpt from the short story “Mammita’s Garden Cove” by Cyril Dabydeen. Then write a well-organized essay in which you analyze how Dabydeen uses literary techniques to convey Max’s complex attitudes toward place. ‘Where d’you come from?’ Max was used to the question; used to being told no as well. He walked away, feet kicking hard ground, telling himself that Line he must persevere. More than anything else he knew 5 he must find a job before long. In a way being unemployed made him feel prepared for hell itself even though he knew too that somewhere there was a sweet heaven waiting for him. How couldn’t it be? After all he was in Canada. He wanted to laugh all of 10 He continued walking along, thoughts drifting back to the far-gone past. Was it that far-gone? He wasn’t sure . . . yet his thoughts kept going back, to the time he was on the island and how he used to dream about 15 being in Canada, of starting an entirely new life. He remembered those dreams clearly now; remembered too thinking of marrying some sweet island-woman with whom he’d share his life, of having children and later buying a house. Maybe someday he’d even own 20 a cottage on the edge of the city. He wasn’t too sure where one built a cottage, but there had to be a cottage. He’d then be in the middle class; life would be different from the hand-to-mouth existence he was used to. 25 His heels pressed into the asphalt, walking on. And slowly he...

Words: 37585 - Pages: 151

Premium Essay

Mammitas Garden Cove

...2013B Carefully read the following excerpt from the short story “Mammita’s Garden Cove” by Cyril Dabydeen. Then write a well-organized essay in which you analyze how Dabydeen uses literary techniques to convey Max’s complex attitudes toward place. ‘Where d’you come from?’ Max was used to the question; used to being told no as well. He walked away, feet kicking hard ground, telling himself that Line he must persevere. More than anything else he knew 5 he must find a job before long. In a way being unemployed made him feel prepared for hell itself even though he knew too that somewhere there was a sweet heaven waiting for him. How couldn’t it be? After all he was in Canada. He wanted to laugh all of 10 He continued walking along, thoughts drifting back to the far-gone past. Was it that far-gone? He wasn’t sure . . . yet his thoughts kept going back, to the time he was on the island and how he used to dream about 15 being in Canada, of starting an entirely new life. He remembered those dreams clearly now; remembered too thinking of marrying some sweet island-woman with whom he’d share his life, of having children and later buying a house. Maybe someday he’d even own 20 a cottage on the edge of the city. He wasn’t too sure where one built a cottage, but there had to be a cottage. He’d then be in the middle class; life would be different from the hand-to-mouth existence he was used to. 25 His heels pressed into the asphalt, walking on. And slowly he...

Words: 37585 - Pages: 151