Copy of 6.Many_Caribbean_writers,_have_f

Caribbean writers have struggled to conform to European standards of literature due to the lack of historical tradition caused by slavery and colonialism. West Indian literature has been undervalued and ignored, with early works by outsiders ignoring the linguistic, cultural, and historical traditions of the region. However, modern Caribbean writers are now recognizing the importance of literature in revitalizing the tales of the people. They are calling for unique regional voices, like Louise Bennett and Derek Walcott, who use Caribbean language and settings to move away from European ideals and give voice to the unique expressions of the Caribbean. Many Caribbean writers have felt the burden of conformity to European standards of literary expression. The region is without the historical tradition of the old world, because the privilege to know the roots of its past has been undercut by slavery and colonialism. West Indian literature has been undervalued at best and ignored at worst. Much of the early literature set in the Caribbean was created by outsiders, who omitted the linguistic, cultural and historical traditions of the populace. Modern Caribbean writers now finally recognize that through literature, the tales of the people can be revitalized. There is a call for unique regional voices, such as were embedded in the work of writers like Louise Bennett and Derek Walcott, who used the language and setting of the Caribbean to move away from Europeanized literary ideals, and found the identity of the everyday world in Jamaica. Such writers give voice to unique Caribbean forms of expression.