Haiti, principle of hope: Parallels and connections in the works of C.L.R. James, Derek Walcott, Aimé Césaire, and Édouard Glissant

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis article focuses on the interactions, connections and parallels in literary texts addressing Haiti by Anglophone Caribbean writers C.L.R. James and Derek Walcott, and Francophone writers Aimé Césaire and Édouard Glissant. Primary materials considered include: C.L.R. James’ 1934 playscript, Toussaint Louverture, which had been lost for many years until recently; two plays by Derek Walcott, Henri Christophe and Drums and Colours; Aimé Césaire’s book-length poem, Notebook of a Return to My Native Land and his theatrical work, The Tragedy of King Christophe; and Édouard Glissant’s single published play, Monsieur Toussaint. Collectively, this corpus of primary materials demonstrates parallels and connections within literary efforts at decolonization across the Caribbean and reveals Haiti as a principle of coherence, and of hope.