On Seeing England For the First Time (revised)

In “On Seeing England For the First Time” (1991) Jamaica Kincaid portrays the Carribean cultures becoming brainwashed by the English empire in not only their (the Carribean’s) education system, but also in news articles, and fashions set. The British trends, values, and habits overbear the Caribbean’s own unique culture- devaluing their rituals to make room for the British’s. By using her father’s hat as a symbol, Kincaid argues that it is outrageous to follow Britain’s example. Her father wears a felt hat that is not at all sensible for the climate or culture that they live in, but he will wear it and buy a new one when it falls apart because that is what he and his colleagues have been taught to do. Kincaid urges her fellow neighbors from all over Antigua and the rest of the Caribbean Islands to form their own way of life and not follow mindlessly in the footsteps of Britain. They should be proud of and follow their own culture, rituals, and trends.