A Small Place and creative nonfiction

A Small Place – a work of creative nonfiction by Jamaica Kincaid – is a unique text that often crops up on the IB English curriculum. It is a work of creative nonfiction, meaning that the writer uses literary techniques and elements of fictional writing in order to tell a story that is nevertheless nonfiction. In this case, Kincaid paints a powerful portrait of her conflicted relationship to her home island of Antigua. Kincaid describes both the natural beauty of the island, but also its corruption and the ways that the colonial legacy of its British occupation has irrevocably altered the island and its inhabitants’ relationships to themselves and their heritage. Due to the complex themes and personal nature of the text, IB students often find this text a challenge, but also immensely rewarding. IB students can come to appreciate a powerful new perspective on many global issues, and A Small Place provides young learners with a fantastic opportunity to interrogate the ways that these forces of class, colonialism and culture are present in their own lives.

IB English sample response

Consider the sample response below from an IO script on the global issue of ‘the ethics of tourism’ in A Small Place and an ‘Eco-travel’ brochure:

Kincaid illustrates the conflicting relationship between tourists and locals through her use of rhetorical devices, such as questions and direct address. This allows her to demonstrate how the tourism industry, especially on an island like Antigua, is simply a new form of colonialism. These tourists arrive on Kincaid’s island, and exploit the cheap labour and services in an echo of the British imperial history of slavery and exploitation. The direct address through the second person of “you” creates an accusatory tone that forces the reader to confront their own complicity with colonialism. Indeed, Kincaid’s use of rhetorical questions and direct address demands that the reader reflect on how the tourism industry and wealthy societies around the world are dependent on the exploitation of the poor, often taking advantage of previously exploited peoples that are still scarred with the legacy of slavery, thus raising the question of if tourism can ever be considered ethical.

Extending our understanding

IB students are expected to be curious and expand their understanding of their studies. This is why the EE and TOK are such vital elements of the IBDP curriculum. However, this also applies to their regular academic subjects. A text such as A Small Place provides an opportunity for IB candidates to explore global issues that affect all of us, and seek out new and fascinating perspectives. Students may choose to engage further with these issues through exploring postcolonial theory in such seminal texts as Edward Said’s Orientalism, Aimé Césaire’s play, A Tempest, and Kincaid’s other works, including At the Bottom of the River and Lucy. This wider engagement with postcolonial texts enhances a person’s understanding of A Small Place and encourages them to take ownership over their studies. As IB tutors, we understand that the IBDP is a very busy curriculum, but those who engage more deeply with the literary and cultural movements surrounding their texts develop a more sophisticated and profound understanding of what is being studied in class, which in turn has a positive impact on grades.

Supporting IB English

The IB English course, whether candidates are studying IB Language and Literature, or IB Literature, encourages you learners to engage profoundly with their texts. The IB English curriculum is designed so that students can learn to question their values, and broaden their minds in response to stimuli. However, that means that the course is often complex and challenging, and requires sustained attention throughout the programme.

BartyED has a long history of supporting students across all IBDP subjects, including English. Our expert tutors have a wealth of experience, and are always keen to see students grow and develop across their subjects. We’ve coached many students studying creative nonfiction and postcolonial texts such as Kincaid’s A Small Place, and it always produces fascinating insights from those who are keen to learn about the world, and the wide range of perspectives present in literary works.