Overview of “The Farming of Bones”
Edwidge Danticat’s The Farming of Bones portrays Amabelle Désir, a Haitian woman, navigating love and survival amidst the 1937 Parsley Massacre in the Dominican Republic. The novel explores themes of racism, loss, and resilience.
Historical Context of the Novel
The Farming of Bones is set against the backdrop of the 1937 Parsley Massacre, a horrific event where Dominican soldiers, under the orders of dictator Rafael Trujillo, systematically murdered thousands of Haitians living in the Dominican Republic. This massacre was fueled by deep-seated racism and prejudice against Haitians, who were often viewed as inferior and scapegoated for the country’s economic problems. The novel vividly portrays the political climate and social tensions that led to this act of genocide. Sugar cane dominated the economy. The title, The Farming of Bones, is explained when Amabelle refers to process of growing, burning, and cutting cane as travay te pou zo, or the farming of bones. Danticat masterfully weaves historical facts with the personal stories of individuals affected by the massacre, shedding light on a dark chapter in history and reminding readers of the consequences of hatred and intolerance. The novel connects to Hispaniola.
Main Characters
The Farming of Bones features compelling characters like Amabelle Désir, a Haitian woman, and Sebastien Onius, her lover. Their lives are tragically altered by the Parsley Massacre, highlighting themes of love and loss.
Amabelle Désir
Amabelle Désir, the central figure in The Farming of Bones, is a young Haitian woman residing in the Dominican Republic. Orphaned at a young age, she serves as a companion to the wife of a wealthy Dominican colonel, forging a life amidst cultural tensions. Her deep love for Sebastien Onius, a cane worker, offers solace and hope for a future together. However, Amabelle’s world is shattered by the eruption of the Parsley Massacre, a systematic extermination of Haitians.
As chaos ensues, Amabelle’s journey transforms into a desperate fight for survival. She faces unimaginable horrors, witnessing brutality and loss as she flees with others seeking refuge. Her resilience is tested as she navigates the treacherous landscape, both physical and emotional, forever marked by the trauma of the massacre. Amabelle’s story embodies the devastating impact of racism and prejudice, while also showcasing the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Sebastien Onius
Sebastien Onius is a vital character in Edwidge Danticat’s The Farming of Bones. He is portrayed as a hardworking and loving cane worker. Sebastien is deeply in love with Amabelle Désir. Their relationship represents a beacon of hope amidst the racial tensions. Their plans to marry symbolize a desire for a future. He vanishes amidst the slaughter.
The systematic extermination of Haitians begins. The chaos separates him from Amabelle, forcing her to flee for her life. Sebastien’s disappearance underscores the tragedy of the massacre. It highlights the devastating impact on individual lives. He represents the countless victims whose fates remain unknown. His love for Amabelle and his connection to the land emphasize the profound loss. His character embodies the dreams and aspirations brutally extinguished by prejudice and violence.
Plot Summary
The Farming of Bones chronicles Amabelle’s life in the Dominican Republic. The Parsley Massacre disrupts her world. She flees, facing brutality and loss. The novel explores survival, memory, and the search for home.
Events Leading to the Massacre
In 1937, Amabelle Désir, a Haitian woman in the Dominican Republic, lives a relatively peaceful life. She is in love with Sebastien Onius, a cane worker, and serves as a companion to the wife of a wealthy colonel. However, tensions are brewing beneath the surface of this seemingly idyllic existence.
The Dominican Republic, under the rule of Rafael Trujillo, harbors deep-seated prejudices against Haitians. Economic anxieties and racial biases fuel resentment, creating a volatile atmosphere. Trujillo seeks to solidify his power and define a distinct Dominican identity, often at the expense of the Haitian population.
Sugar cane farming dominates the economy, and Haitian laborers are often exploited, facing discrimination and harsh working conditions. Amabelle’s world is on the precipice of collapse as the systematic extermination of Haitians looms, foreshadowing the impending horror of the Parsley Massacre.
The Parsley Massacre
The Parsley Massacre, the horrific centerpiece of The Farming of Bones, unfolds as a systematic slaughter of Haitians living in the Dominican Republic. Ordered by Rafael Trujillo, Dominican soldiers use the pronunciation of the word “perejil” (parsley) as a means of identifying and executing Haitians, due to their different accent.
Chaos erupts as the extermination begins. Amabelle is separated from Sebastien amidst the slaughter and forced to flee for her life; Scenes of unimaginable brutality unfold as those trying to escape face tragic fates – pursued, brutalized, and murdered. The river becomes a symbol of both escape and death, as many are driven towards it in desperation.
The massacre exposes the depths of racism and prejudice, revealing the vulnerability of an entire population targeted solely for their ethnicity. The event leaves an indelible scar on the survivors and serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked hatred.
Themes
The Farming of Bones explores profound themes such as racism and prejudice, evident in the Parsley Massacre. The novel also delves into love and loss, survival, and resilience in the face of adversity;
Racism and Prejudice
Racism and prejudice stand as central themes in Edwidge Danticat’s The Farming of Bones, deeply intertwined with the historical context of the Parsley Massacre. This horrific event, the systematic extermination of Haitians living in the Dominican Republic, underscores the devastating consequences of racial hatred and discrimination. The novel exposes how class status, often determined by racial identity, dictates one’s existence and treatment within society.
Amabelle’s experiences vividly illustrate the pervasive prejudice faced by Haitians, shaping her interactions and ultimately leading to the collapse of her world. The massacre itself serves as a brutal manifestation of racial animosity, where individuals are targeted solely based on their ethnicity. Through Amabelle’s journey, Danticat reveals the dehumanizing effects of racism and its lasting impact on individuals and communities. The novel compels readers to confront the enduring legacy of prejudice and its continued relevance in contemporary society. The events are racially charged.
Love and Loss
The Farming of Bones explores the intertwined themes of love and loss through Amabelle’s experiences. Her deep affection for Sebastien forms a central part of her life, offering hope and stability amidst the turmoil of her existence as an orphaned Haitian woman in the Dominican Republic. Their planned marriage symbolizes a future filled with promise, but this dream is brutally shattered by the Parsley Massacre.
The systematic extermination tears them apart, forcing Amabelle to flee for her life and leaving Sebastien’s fate uncertain. This separation represents a profound loss, not only of a romantic partner but also of the envisioned future they shared. Amabelle’s journey becomes marked by grief and the struggle to cope with the absence of her loved one. The novel showcases the tendency for love to create hope and its devastation when taken away.
Survival and Resilience
In The Farming of Bones, survival and resilience are prominent themes, exemplified by Amabelle’s journey through the Parsley Massacre. Facing unimaginable horrors, she perseveres, driven by an instinct to live and a desire to find Sebastien. The novel chronicles her physical and emotional endurance as she navigates a landscape of violence and death.
Amabelle’s resilience manifests in her ability to cope with the trauma she witnesses and experiences. Despite losing her loved ones and witnessing unspeakable brutality, she finds the strength to keep moving forward. Her spirit remains unbroken. This showcases the tenacity of the human spirit. Through Amabelle, Danticat highlights the capacity for individuals to overcome adversity and maintain their humanity in the face of extreme hardship, which allows the reader to learn how to cope with loss and pain.
Symbolism
The Farming of Bones employs potent symbolism. It evokes a powerful aesthetic response. The sugar cane represents exploitation, while bones symbolize the massacre’s victims. It excites students about reading and learning.
The Significance of “Bones”
In Edwidge Danticat’s “The Farming of Bones,” the motif of “bones” transcends mere physical remains; it serves as a multifaceted symbol deeply interwoven with the narrative’s core themes. Primarily, “bones” represent the victims of the 1937 Parsley Massacre, a brutal and racially charged extermination of Haitians living in the Dominican Republic. They are a stark reminder of the violence, loss, and inhumanity inflicted upon an entire population.
Furthermore, the term “farming of bones,” as explained within the novel, alludes to the arduous labor in the sugar cane fields, where Haitians toiled. This “travay te pou zo” (farming for bones) signifies the exploitation and dehumanization inherent in the sugar cane industry, reducing individuals to mere instruments of production, their bodies broken and depleted.
Moreover, bones symbolize the shattered lives and fractured identities of the survivors. Amabelle’s journey is marked by the constant presence of death and the haunting memories of those she lost. These memories linger, solidifying the importance of bones as a lasting testament to the tragedy, racism and sexism.
Literary Analysis
Danticat’s “The Farming of Bones” showcases her skill in historical fiction, exploring themes of racism and survival. Her writing style is mature, captivating, and enraptures readers with its beauty.
Danticat’s Writing Style
Edwidge Danticat’s writing style in “The Farming of Bones” is characterized by its lyrical prose and evocative imagery. She masterfully blends historical context with personal narratives, creating a powerful and haunting portrayal of the Parsley Massacre. Her use of vivid descriptions transports the reader to the Dominican Republic in 1937, immersing them in the sights, sounds, and emotions of the time.
Danticat’s prose is often described as mature and captivating, drawing readers in with its beauty and depth. She employs a variety of literary devices, such as symbolism and metaphor, to enrich the story and convey deeper meanings. The novel’s title itself, “The Farming of Bones,” is a symbolic reference to the sugarcane industry, which represents the exploitation and suffering of the Haitian people.
Furthermore, Danticat’s writing is known for its emotional resonance. She skillfully depicts the characters’ inner lives, allowing readers to connect with their experiences of love, loss, and resilience. Her ability to evoke empathy and understanding is a testament to her skill as a writer.
Critical Reception
The Farming of Bones has garnered widespread critical acclaim for its powerful depiction of the Parsley Massacre and its exploration of themes such as racism, love, and survival. Reviewers have lauded Danticat’s evocative writing style and her ability to bring historical events to life. The novel was a New York Times Notable Book and an ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice, further solidifying its place as a significant work of literature.
Critics have praised Danticat’s skill in creating compelling characters and her unflinching portrayal of the brutality of the massacre. Some have also noted the novel’s relevance to contemporary issues of immigration and social justice.
The Orlando Sentinel described the book as “beautiful and tragic,” praising Danticat’s mature exposition and captivating spirit. Walter Mosely of Entertainment Weekly called it “heartrending,” while Time magazine noted that “every chapter cuts deep, and you feel it.” Overall, The Farming of Bones is considered a powerful and important novel that continues to resonate with readers today.