Representing hybridity in Derek Walcott's a Branch of the blue Nile

Abstract EN

This paper is an attempt to read Derek Walcott's play, A Branch of the Blue Nile (1983) in light of the concept of hybridity.

Initially, the paper introduces the significance of the concept of hybridity in post-colonial writings.

Then, it shows how far the universality of Shakespeare is challenged and decentered by the artistic attempts of the colonized through using meta-theatricality.

Finally, the paper shows the ways through which Derek Walcott manages to create a Caribbean hybrid space that culturally and artistically includes both the colonizer's legacy represented by Shakespeare and the Caribbean native culture represented by Chris's local/dialect play through the image of a hybrid bird that exists in Egypt and Trinidad.

This paper is an attempt to read Derek Walcott's play, A Branch of the Blue Nile (1983) in light of the concept of hybridity.

Initially, the paper introduces the significance of the concept of hybridity in post-colonial writings.

Then, it shows how far the universality of Shakespeare is challenged and decentered by the artistic attempts of the colonized through using meta-theatricality.

Finally, the paper shows the ways through which Derek Walcott manages to create a Caribbean hybrid space that culturally and artistically includes both the colonizer's legacy represented by Shakespeare and the Caribbean native culture represented by Chris's local/dialect play through the image of a hybrid bird that exists in Egypt and Trinidad.