Ibos on the Landing

The Ibos arrival on the Landing comes from Praisesong for a Widow by Paule Marshall. The scene comes from the narrative in which Great Aunt Cuney tells the young Avey (Avatara) that at the landing many years before the Ibos that arrived saw into the future and saw the destiny of their people if they stayed. At that moment they decided to leave and began to run back to Africa with their iron chains still on. The tale links Avey back to her African roots. The memory of the story occurs in a dream near the beginning of the novel, and as such serves to foreshadow the connection Avey will make with her nationality in the work. It also serves as part of her birthright, which as the end of the novel she will work to pass on to her grandchildren.


Tyson Ramirez