Abstract 

The purpose of this paper is to explore how the eponymous protagonist in Jamaica Kincaid’s semi-autobiographical novel Lucy (1990) tries to rise above her colonial past by seeing the world through an aesthetic lens. In tracing Lucy’s identity formation, the present study draws on ideas and terminology pertaining to trauma theory and postcolonial criticism. A key claim made in the study is that the colors yellow and blue are of special significance in Lucy’s attempt to overcome trauma and to form an independent self. In addition, the act of creating visual art and writing helps Lucy create a new identity. The research questions of this study are: How does aesthetics help Lucy in her identity formation? and How does Lucy, through her narration of colors, transcend her culturally traumatic past?

Finally, the essay provides a didactic method, inspired by Lucy, for implementing an aesthetic mode in the classrooms. This procedure involves strategies for creating posters that may be a means of challenging students’ perception of who they are, but also to view their peers from an aesthetic perspective.