In Paule Marchall's Praisesong for the Widow, the main character Avey is constantly tucking in her lower lip. This physical characteristic of Avey is mentioned several times throughout the novel. This lower lip is the physical symbol of Avey's conformity into white society. As she becomes higher in status and more assimilated into white society Avey begins to fold in her lower lip in an attempt to hide her Afro-Caribeean background. This lower lip not only represents Avey's conformity into white society but a denial of herself as an Afro-Caribean woman. As Avey moves through her journey through the island she begins to reject the white society she has conformed to and embrace her background. As this shift in cultural acceptance happens Avey's bottom lip begins to protrude, no longer held in as a result of conformity. By the end of her journey to Carriacou and the end of the excursion Avey as fully rejected white society, and embraced not only her cultural background but herself. With this her lip is no longer held back and is able to reveal to the world Avey's background as an Afro-Carabeian woman.
Pamela Legge
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