3. The Role of Colonization in Homegoing: How British Colonialism Affects the Characters’ Lives
British colonialism plays a pivotal role in shaping the characters’ lives in Homegoing, particularly in Ghana, where the effects of colonial rule are felt deeply by the descendants of Effia, the novel’s Ghanaian-born character. Through the lives of Effia and her descendants, Gyasi explores how colonization intertwined with the transatlantic slave trade, influencing not only the political and economic landscapes of Africa but also the personal and cultural identities of its people.
Effia’s marriage to the British slave trader, James Collins, reflects the direct impact of colonialism on her life and the lives of her descendants. The relationship symbolizes the power dynamics between colonizers and the colonized, and Effia’s own position within a colonial structure serves to underscore the complicated intersection of race, class, and power. Effia's family becomes entangled in the slave trade, a direct result of colonial economic interests, as her marriage is part of an arrangement that sustains British colonial rule in the Gold Coast.
The impact of British colonialism continues to affect Effia’s descendants, as seen through characters like Quey, who struggles with his sense of loyalty to both his British heritage and his African roots. The tensions between these two identities underscore the cultural divide caused by colonialism and the internal conflicts faced by those who straddle these worlds. As the novel progresses, Gyasi shows how the legacy of colonialism shapes the lives of Ghana’s people, both in terms of economic exploitation and cultural disintegration. The influence of colonialism manifests in the systems of education, land ownership, and governance that continue to define life in Ghana even after independence.
In the United States, the impact of colonialism is also felt, though in different forms. The African American characters in Homegoing inherit the consequences of both slavery and colonialism, as the structures of racism, segregation, and economic inequality that emerged from colonial systems continue to affect their lives. Gyasi explores how the legacy of colonialism plays out across the ocean, affecting not just the African continent but also the identities and struggles of African Americans.
Gyasi's exploration of colonialism in Homegoing highlights its far-reaching consequences, shaping both the personal experiences of characters and the broader social and political contexts in which they live. Through the lens of both individual stories and historical events, Homegoing offers a nuanced critique of British colonialism and its lasting effects on generations of people across the Atlantic.