Author: Abigail Persaud Cheddie

Abstract: This paper examines how Jan Lowe Shinebourne’s The Last Ship deals with issues of West Indian immigrant identity set in a post-colonial Guyanese society. The essay explores how The Last Ship offers a strong suggestion that the immigrant’s reinterpretation of identity is crucial to his survival and holistic well-being on the ‘immigrant landscape.’ Through the examination of major characters in pairs – Clarice Chung and Susan Leo; Frederick Wong and Mary Leo; and Lorna and Joan Wong, the degree to which the six of them reinterpret their identities and arrive at a sense of ease and fulfilment is evaluated.

Keywords: West Indies, Guyana, Identity, Immigrant, Shinebourne, Reinterpretation.

DOI: 10.24001/ijels.2.5.17