Brown Girl in the Ring by Nalo Hopkinson

Set after the Riots in Toronto that splintered the city into the impoverished center and wealthier surrounding suburbs, the novel follows the spiritual and personal journey of Ti-Jeanne, an Afro-Caribbean woman who comes from a matrilineal line of seers and healers. The science fiction novel was the winner of several awards that include the Warner Aspect First Novel Contest, the Locus Award for Best First Novel, and the John W.

GradeSaver, 7 August 2022 Web.Nalo Hopkinson’s Brown Girl in the Ring was published in 1998. 'Brown Girl in the Ring Study Guide: Analysis'. Next Section Symbols, Allegory and Motifs Previous Section Quotes How To Cite in MLA Format Warhol, Stanley. Will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback. You can help us out by revising, improving and updatingĪfter you claim a section you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. As such, the novel charts Ti-Jeanne's growth from denying her heritage to accepting her ancestry.

Hopkinson incorporates Afro-Caribbean mythology to highlight the eternal power held by the women through magic and spirituality. The men in the narrative embody the worst traits that have contributed to the moral decline and urban decay in society. Through matrilineal kinship, the author integrates strong female characters fighting the patriarchy and the history of violence in the family. A battle ensues as the granddaughter embraces her magical heritage to fight off the adversaries and save her mother’s spirit from Rudy. This leads to a family conflict that reveals Rudy to be Ti-Jeanne’s grandfather, and the spirit he sends to do his bidding is her mother. The father of Ti-Jeanne’s unnamed child is a member of the gang that has been tasked with securing a heart for the Premier of Ontario. Rudy Sheldon and his gang run the criminal underworld and are part of the organ-harvesting ring that preys on the poor. After giving birth, she is forced to live with her grandmother, who is a popular spiritualist and herbalist in the city. The plot follows Ti-Jeanne who comes from a family of spiritualists, though she has separated herself from the culture. In the inner-city, poverty and violence have become prevalent since the wealthy have enclosed themselves in the affluent suburbs.

The story takes place in the near future in Toronto where economic downfall and riots have led to societal collapse. The book blends this backdrop with modern problems involving socioeconomic inequality, addiction, toxic masculinity, and urban decay. Furthermore, Afro-Caribbean spirituality and traditions are at the core of the story, highlighting the rich culture of the characters. The novel addresses several themes that revolve around violence from both historical and domestic points of view. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.

Brown Girl in the Ring by Nalo Hopkinson