In a hostile colonial environment, she develops a rebellious and free spirit, in hopes she will one day break away from her reality. She begins this rebellion that allows her to sprout and grow into who she wants to be. Gender relations plays a part in Annie’s overall development because she makes it clear through her actions that she is not interested in what the colonizers, as well as her mother, wants her to become. In her youth, Annie John oftentimes becomes overwhelmed with the anxiety associated with being separated from her mother. This love-hate relationship is carried throughout the plot and is blatantly displayed in various situations within the plot. This caused her to have tension towards her mother which boils over into a love/hate relationship. She is frequently misjudged just by the unsymmetrical weight of gender relations. Annie John is frequently scolded and feels detached at times from her mother. The novel frequently focuses on the mother-daughter relationship as well as gender issues. With Annie John being the narrator readers don’t have to ponder about her thoughts, situations, and feelings because she presents all three through text. The significance of gender relations doesn’t necessarily stem from the text but certain situations embedded in the text. Before meeting Annie’s mother her father had been involved in many different sexual affairs. Men can be more open and promiscuous, but women are expected to be conservative. In Antigua, much like general society, women are unequally treated compared to men.

The first very outstanding and almost shocking correlation readers see of gender relations is the fact that Annie’s mother is 30 years younger than her father.

Although Annie’s father seems presentable like a good man he is a part of the overall unequal gender relations that exist in Antigua. The way the two themes tie in is through gender relations having an absolute negative effect on the overall mother-daughter relationship that consistently exists and is highlighted throughout the novel.

Annie john novel