Alienation and Search for Self: A Feminist Interpretation of Jadine's Identity Crisis in Tar Baby

Identity crisis is very common among African Americans. This paper aims to analyze the reasons of Jadine's alienation and identity crisis, and interpret her struggle for searching for her true self. Jadine's disconnection with traditional black culture originated from her orphanage as well as the education she received. Under the great impact of the dominant culture, she got lost and identified with the mainstream culture, ignored her weak black tradition. Meanwhile, her black identity still remained in the racial collective unconsciousness and disturbed her now and then. From a feminist perspective, Jadine suffered an overall identity crisis in terms of gender, race and culture, which made her feel alienated, restless and inauthentic. Her identity was split, which was in accordance with what W. E. B. Dubois' classic statement of two selves struggling in one black body.