Ruth Walbank
Part One Notes
Opening and Mr. Luttrell’s suicide
Quote Analysis
The pronoun 'they' immediately creates a division between
"They say when trouble comes
Antoinette and the others. It is also ambiguous as it is creates a
close ranks"
collective, uncertain identity.
This creates a clear sense of division between the ‘white people’
“we were not in their ranks"
and the creoles, establishing a divided society.
There is a sense of Anette, a creole, Martinique girl, being
“Mr. Luttrell… her only friend”
marginalised due to a racially divided society post- Emancipation.
Contextual reference to the Emancipation Act and the
“still waiting for this compensation
compensation that was promised to the slave owners. The adjective
the English promised”
‘still’ creates an air of anticipation.
His suicide demonstrates the desperate finical state of the ex-
“he shot his dog, swam out to sea
plantation owners. The incorrect English also gives an
and was gone for always”
indeterminacy to the length of time encountered by death.
Both Mr. Luttrell and the characters colonial past is shown though
“Nelson’s Rest"
the place names. Lord ‘Nelson’ becomes emblematic of empire.
Luttrell becomes a ghost of a colonial past which haunts the areas
“haunted”
and the Cosways through the use of a Gothic motif.
Anette’s identity is defined by her appearance, however as looks
“looking glass"
fade so does her sense of selfhood.
Horse poisoned
Quote Analysis
Frangipani trees are traditionally associated with the spread of
Christianity with missionaries bringing them over from the continent.
“I saw her horse lying down under In some cultures, they are also associated with ghosts living in the
the frangipani tree” trees, connoting death and funerals.
The death of the horse therefore may symbolise the generational
divide between the ex-slave owners and the black community.
The repetition of the word ‘marooned’ creates a sense of total
“Now we are marooned”
isolation and marginalisation.
1 of 6
Part One Notes
Opening and Mr. Luttrell’s suicide
Quote Analysis
The pronoun 'they' immediately creates a division between
"They say when trouble comes
Antoinette and the others. It is also ambiguous as it is creates a
close ranks"
collective, uncertain identity.
This creates a clear sense of division between the ‘white people’
“we were not in their ranks"
and the creoles, establishing a divided society.
There is a sense of Anette, a creole, Martinique girl, being
“Mr. Luttrell… her only friend”
marginalised due to a racially divided society post- Emancipation.
Contextual reference to the Emancipation Act and the
“still waiting for this compensation
compensation that was promised to the slave owners. The adjective
the English promised”
‘still’ creates an air of anticipation.
His suicide demonstrates the desperate finical state of the ex-
“he shot his dog, swam out to sea
plantation owners. The incorrect English also gives an
and was gone for always”
indeterminacy to the length of time encountered by death.
Both Mr. Luttrell and the characters colonial past is shown though
“Nelson’s Rest"
the place names. Lord ‘Nelson’ becomes emblematic of empire.
Luttrell becomes a ghost of a colonial past which haunts the areas
“haunted”
and the Cosways through the use of a Gothic motif.
Anette’s identity is defined by her appearance, however as looks
“looking glass"
fade so does her sense of selfhood.
Horse poisoned
Quote Analysis
Frangipani trees are traditionally associated with the spread of
Christianity with missionaries bringing them over from the continent.
“I saw her horse lying down under In some cultures, they are also associated with ghosts living in the
the frangipani tree” trees, connoting death and funerals.
The death of the horse therefore may symbolise the generational
divide between the ex-slave owners and the black community.
The repetition of the word ‘marooned’ creates a sense of total
“Now we are marooned”
isolation and marginalisation.
1 of 6
