To Da-Duh, in Memoriam by Paule Marshall is a poignant short story that explores the complex relationship between a young girl from New York and her grandmother, Da-Duh, in Barbados. More than just a tale of intergenerational bonding, the story delves into themes such as colonial legacy, modernity versus tradition, cultural identity, and the clash between progress and rootedness. It captures a moment of cross-cultural encounter, where two worlds the urban and the rural, the past and the present come into contact through the personal experience of a granddaughter meeting her Caribbean heritage. The narrative is told from the point of view of the child but is layered with reflection and sorrow, especially as it centers around memory and tribute after the death of Da-Duh.
Setting and Context
The story is set in Barbados during a time when the effects of British colonial rule were still deeply embedded in the culture and way of life. Da-Duh, the matriarch, lives a rural life in St. Thomas, a world filled with nature, sugarcane fields, and a slow, deliberate pace. Her granddaughter, however, arrives from New York an industrial, modern metropolis bustling with skyscrapers, subways, and fast-paced movement. This stark contrast between settings is central to the story’s structure and to the symbolic weight of the narrative.
The Symbolism of Place
Barbados symbolizes tradition, ancestry, and the natural world. It’s rich in community and memory, and it is where Da-Duh reigns as a powerful, rooted figure. New York represents modernity, speed, and a future that is unfamiliar and threatening to the world Da-Duh knows. The physical setting becomes a metaphor for the broader themes of identity and loss, as well as the generational gap between the narrator and her grandmother.
Character Analysis
Da-Duh
Da-Duh is a commanding presence, proud of her land, her fruit trees, and her island. She is deeply tied to the natural environment and regards the urban world with both curiosity and unease. Her pride in Barbados is palpable, and she attempts to prove the superiority of her world to her granddaughter by showcasing the richness of the land. However, beneath her bravado lies vulnerability she is clearly affected by the knowledge that the world is changing in ways she cannot control or even fully understand.
The Narrator
The narrator, a young girl from Brooklyn, initially meets Da-Duh with resistance and arrogance. She feels alienated in this rural environment and is quick to assert the advantages of her urban upbringing. However, as the story unfolds, there is a shift in her perspective. Her experiences in Barbados leave a deep and lasting impression on her, shaping how she views her heritage and identity. By the end of the story, it becomes evident that Da-Duh’s life and words have etched themselves into the narrator’s memory, lingering long after her death.
Themes in To Da-Duh, in Memoriam
Tradition vs. Modernity
A central theme in the story is the tension between the traditional, agricultural lifestyle of Barbados and the industrialized world of New York. This is symbolized in many of the conversations between Da-Duh and her granddaughter. Da-Duh attempts to assert the beauty and power of her world by pointing to the fruit trees, the sugarcane fields, and the simplicity of island life. But the granddaughter counters with images of subways, snow, and towering buildings. This conflict represents the broader theme of cultural change and how progress can sometimes mean loss.
Colonial Legacy and Identity
The story does not ignore the impact of colonialism. Da-Duh’s pride in the land and her deep connection to Barbados can be seen as resistance to the erasure of local identity by colonial power. At the same time, her awe and eventual fear of industrialization may reflect how colonialism and modern development disrupted traditional Caribbean societies. Her death, following the sound of airplanes overhead, can be interpreted as symbolic of the destruction of the old world by the relentless advance of the new.
Generational Differences and Understanding
Another important aspect of the story is the generational gap between Da-Duh and her granddaughter. Each sees the world through a different lens, and at first, they are both intent on proving the other wrong. However, the story also shows how deep love and respect can exist despite such differences. Their debates, while competitive, are also affectionate, and each character comes to represent an important facet of the narrator’s identity.
Memory and Loss
The story is framed as a remembrance of Da-Duh after her death. This framing device adds a reflective and melancholic tone to the story. The narrator looks back on the moments shared with Da-Duh not only to honor her but also to understand the weight of her influence. The title itself, in Memoriam, points to the story’s purpose as an elegy a tribute to a life and a world that have passed.
Symbolism and Imagery
- The Sugarcane FieldsThese represent both abundance and fragility. They are part of Da-Duh’s pride, yet they are also labor-intensive and historically tied to slavery and colonial exploitation.
- The SkyscrapersWhen the narrator describes the tall buildings in New York, Da-Duh is overwhelmed. The skyscrapers become a symbol of modern power that eclipses the natural world Da-Duh values.
- AirplanesThe sound of planes flying over Da-Duh’s home foreshadows her death and acts as a metaphor for invasion, progress, and transformation. It is the intrusion of modernity into a traditional world.
- SnowSnow, something Da-Duh has never seen, becomes a recurring image in the story. It symbolizes foreignness, imagination, and the distance between their worlds.
Writing Style and Narrative Voice
Paule Marshall’s writing in To Da-Duh, in Memoriam is lyrical and descriptive. Her use of first-person narration adds intimacy and depth, allowing readers to feel the narrator’s emotional journey. The language is evocative, and her detailed imagery paints a vivid picture of Barbados. At the same time, the voice of the narrator matures by the end of the story, emphasizing the lasting impact of Da-Duh on her life.
A Lasting Legacy
To Da-Duh, in Memoriam is more than a nostalgic reflection; it is an exploration of cultural legacy, the passage of time, and the emotional landscape shaped by family ties. Through the lens of a personal relationship, Marshall illuminates broader issues of identity, loss, and the costs of progress. The narrator’s later life as an artist, haunted by the memories of Da-Duh and the sugarcane fields, speaks to the enduring power of the past. The story stands as a quiet but powerful tribute to those who came before us and to the fragile beauty of the worlds they inhabited.