The Kingdom of This World (Masterplots II: American Fiction Series, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Alejo Carpentier
- First Published: 1949
- Type of Plot: Magical Realism
- Time of Work: 1750 to after 1830
- Setting: Haiti, Cuba, and Italy
- Principal Characters: Ti Noël, Monsieur Lenormand de Mezy, Mackandal, Pauline Bonaparte, Soliman, Henri Christophe
- Genres: Long fiction, Magical Realism
- Subjects: Caribbean, Blacks, Colonies or colonization, Nineteenth century, Slavery or slaves, Revolutions, Oppression, Eighteenth century, Cuba or Cubans, Italy or Italians, Haiti or Haitians
- Locales: Haiti, Cuba, Italy
The Novel
Mixing history and fiction, The Kingdom of This World recounts the transition of Haiti from slavery to emancipation and from colony to republic. The change occurs through the use of African religion. The novel begins by establishing a difference between black African culture and white European culture. Although these two systems take on different forms throughout the novel and history, they remain antagonistic toward each other. One is dynamic, the other static. Mackandal, Bouckman, and Ti Noël represent the liberating spirit of African religion and culture,...
[The entire page is 1825 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
See Also
