Preamble

Haiti has always been fascinating to me. As a Jamaican I find it interesting that we live so close to but know so very little about our neighbor. There is no class in which you learn about Haiti, its culture or people at the primary or High School level. It wasn’t until I was doing my first degree at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus that I got a taste of the historical and racial significance of the country. Caribbean Literature has fascinated me ever since reading Edwidge Danticat’s Breath, Eyes, Memory and Cristina Garcia’s The Aguero Sisters. Where were these books all my life? Why did I know more about William Shakespear than I did about people that looked like and had the same lived experience as me?

The Obvious answer was a “Colonized” education system, but still, I wanted to explore authors from the African Diaspora.

This new space/column will allow me to do just that highlighting various authors in the hope that one day the curriculum will evolve to include books from the Caribbean/African diaspora.

“The Farming of Bones” by Edwidge Danticat is a historical novel that delves into the harrowing experiences of Haitian immigrants in the Dominican Republic during the 1937 Parsley Massacre, ordered by Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo. The novel intertwines themes of memory, trauma, love, and identity, set against the backdrop of a tragic historical event.

Plot Summary

Setting: The novel is set in the Dominican Republic, primarily in the border town of Alegría, and spans the period leading up to, during, and after the 1937 massacre.

Main Characters:

  • Amabelle Desir: The protagonist, a Haitian woman who works as a domestic servant for a wealthy Dominican family. Her narrative is central to the novel.
  • Sebastien Onius: Amabelle’s lover, a Haitian cane cutter whose fate becomes a focal point of Amabelle’s journey.
  • Valencia: The daughter of Amabelle’s employers, who shares a complex relationship with Amabelle.
  • Senora Valencia: Amabelle’s employer, who represents the complex dynamics between Dominicans and Haitians.

Plot:

  1. Life in the Dominican Republic: Amabelle’s story begins with her life in Alegría, where she works for Senora Valencia and her family. Her relationship with Sebastien, also a Haitian immigrant, is a source of solace and hope.
  2. Escalation of Tensions: As political tensions rise, anti-Haitian sentiment grows, fueled by Trujillo’s nationalist rhetoric. The community is increasingly hostile towards Haitian immigrants.
  3. The Parsley Massacre: The novel’s climax occurs during the Parsley Massacre, where soldiers and civilians target Haitians, using the pronunciation of the word “perejil” (parsley) to identify and kill them. Amabelle and Sebastien are caught in the violence, leading to their separation.
  4. Aftermath and Journey: Amabelle survives the massacre and embarks on a perilous journey back to Haiti. Along the way, she faces immense physical and emotional challenges, grappling with the trauma of her experiences and the loss of Sebastien.
  5. Return to Haiti: Back in Haiti, Amabelle continues to confront her memories and the impact of the massacre on her life. Her story is one of survival, resilience, and the search for healing and closure.

Themes

  1. Memory and Trauma:
    • The novel delves deeply into the psychological impact of trauma. Amabelle’s narrative is filled with memories of loss and suffering, reflecting the long-lasting effects of violence and displacement.
    • Danticat explores how individuals and communities remember and cope with traumatic events, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and memory in the healing process.
  2. Identity and Belonging:
    • The novel examines the complexities of identity, particularly for Haitian immigrants in the Dominican Republic. Amabelle’s sense of self is constantly challenged by the prejudice and violence she faces.
    • The interplay between Haitian and Dominican identities highlights issues of nationalism, racism, and xenophobia.
  3. Love and Loss:
    • At its core, “The Farming of Bones” is a love story between Amabelle and Sebastien. Their relationship provides emotional depth and humanizes the broader historical events.
    • The themes of love and loss are intertwined, as Amabelle’s journey is marked by the search for Sebastien and the mourning of what was lost.
  4. Survival and Resilience:
    • Amabelle’s survival is a testament to her resilience and strength. The novel portrays the enduring spirit of those who face unimaginable hardships.
    • The characters’ resilience is contrasted with the brutality of the massacre, highlighting the stark realities of human cruelty and endurance.

Significance

“The Farming of Bones” is significant for several reasons:

  • Historical Insight: The novel brings attention to the Parsley Massacre, a lesser-known atrocity in history, and its impact on Haitian-Dominican relations. Through personal narratives, Danticat sheds light on this dark chapter and its enduring legacy.
  • Emotional Depth: Danticat’s lyrical prose and poignant storytelling provide a deep emotional resonance, making the historical events accessible and impactful on a personal level.
  • Cultural Representation: The novel enriches the understanding of Haitian and Dominican cultures, offering a nuanced perspective on their intertwined histories and identities.

Conclusion

“The Farming of Bones” by Edwidge Danticat is a powerful exploration of memory, trauma, and resilience. Through the eyes of Amabelle Desir, the novel offers a poignant and humanizing account of the 1937 Parsley Massacre, while also addressing broader themes of identity, love, and survival. Danticat’s masterful storytelling ensures that the novel is both a tribute to those who suffered and a call to remember and acknowledge the past.