Racial Discrimination and Identity Crisis in the Select Novels of Marlon James: A Postcolonial Study

Abstract

The present paper entitled "Racial Discrimination and Identity Crisis in the Select Novels of Marlon James: A Postcolonial Study" will explore the novels of Marlon James from the perspective of Postcolonial theory. Characters in the writer's books suffer from racism, black identity, dehumanization, discrimination, fear, violence, terror, loss of identity, suicide and death. The study shows through the novels of Marlon James how black people are marginalized, victimized, demoralized, and oppressed in society. Their individuality and freedom have been curtailed. This research work delineates how they suffer psychologically because of this dehumanization. This paper explores racism, Identity Crisis and slavery prevailing in contemporary Jamaica and the violence they encounter under white rule. His novels show that slavery, segregation, and racism have not ended in present Jamaica. Racism is apparent throughout the books in different ways and in various forms. In Marlon Jame's novels, characters like Hector Bligh and Lilith suffer from identity crisis and demoralization. The study aims to analyze how people have confronted barbarity and violence from white people. He argues that racial problems still exist in society.There are examples of regression instead of progression in the living conditions of Jamaicans. It will also explore the relationship between the black community and the white community.