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Lucy Study Guide

by Jamaica Kincaid

Lucy study guide contains a biography of Jamaica Kincaid, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

Jamaica Kincaid's Lucy chronicles the life of the protagonist, Lucy, over her first year in America as an au pair. The author herself came to America as an au pair. Kincaid originally published the novel as installments in the New Yorker; the novel is arranged into five episodic chapters. Lucy narrates her story by interspersing flashbacks, dreams, and internal dialogue. The product is a nonlinear narrative that flows smoothly between past and present because of the strength of Lucy's voice and Kincaid's craft.

Upon arriving in America, Lucy finds everything new, from the weather to the refrigerator. Lucy feels an influx of unexpected emotions. When she left home, she expected to feel excitement and relief rather than homesickness. In order…

Read the full Lucy Summary

• Lucy Summary
• About Lucy
• Character List
• Glossary of Terms
• Major Themes
• Summary and Analysis of "Poor Visitor"
• Summary and Analysis of "Mariah"
• Summary and Analysis of "The Tongue"
• Summary and Analysis of "Cold Heart"
• Summary and Analysis of "Lucy"
• Postcolonial Literary Theory
• Simone de Beauvoir (1908-1986)
• Sigmund Freud (1856-1949)
• Paul Gauguin (1848-1903)
• John Milton (1608-1674)
• William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
• Related Links on Lucy
• Suggested Essay Questions
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 1
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 2
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 3
• Test Yourself! - Quiz 4
• Author of ClassicNote and Sources

• Lucy: Major Themes
• Lucy: Essays
• Lucy: Questions
• Lucy: Purchase the Novel and Related Material
• Jamaica Kincaid: Biography