Neale 1 Arie Neale ENC1102 April 15, 2019 Lucy by Jamaica Kincaid The novelLucyby Jamaica Kincaid reflects the life of the author using the protagonist Lucy. One of the major themes in the book is that of individualism, and the author does a great job in the development of the theme in a clear manner. Lucy’s decision to establish her identity has been majorly influenced by her past experiences, and especially of her relationship with her mother, Annie Potter (KincaidChap. 1, Para.5). Lucy left her home in the West Indies for North America where she worked for a wealthy family. Her isolation from her mother significantly helped her avoid her parental influence and develop an identity that she believed could make her live a more contented life. Lucy’s mother has been developed in the novel as a character that plays an integral role in triggering Lucy into developing a different perspective towards life. Lucy, since her childhood, sought to have full control over her life, and she was determined to achieve it at all costs. “I had come to feel that my mother's love for me was designed solely to make me into an echo of her, and I didn't know why, but I felt that I would rather be dead than become just an echo of someone”(KincaidChap. 2, Para.27). She intensely disliked her mother, especially since she felt that she had deeply betrayed her in numerous ways. According to Lucy, since the birth of her brothers, she felt that her mother failed to reciprocate the love that Lucy had for her. She had previously enjoyed the full attention and affection of her mother, but once her siblings were born, she felt jealous that all these events

Neale 2 happen. “whenever I saw my mother's eyes fill up with tears at the thought of how proud she would be at some deed her sons had accomplished, I felt a sword go through my heart, for there was no