Orality in Exile according to Julia of Jisèle Pineau: a bulwark against cultural assimilation

Abstract

Exile according to Julia is a novel written by the Guadeloupian writer JisèlePineau. It stresses on the risk of forgettingthat threatens cultural values of certain societies in exile around the world. While assimilated parents are moving towards destructive behaviors and habits, in comparison withthe survival of their communities’ identity traits. Children oscillate between the alienating temptation exerted by the host country's cultural model and thenative country's nostalgic call.
Forced to go into exile in France, Julia, the grandmother, is trying to save her grandchildren by inculcating values in themfor theirinner well-being. She manages to infuse her voice with that of Marie, the narrator, who takes over and tries to bring together the scattered fragments of a conscienceand an identity under construction.