ATIPA ROMAIN GUYANAIS: CRITICISM AND RESISTANCE TO FRENCH COLONIZATION IN 19TH-CENTURY GUIANA

Abstract

This article investigates Atipa: Roman Guyanais (1885) by Alfred Parépou, highlighting its importance as a landmark of cultural and linguistic resistance in post-abolition French Guiana. Through a detailed analysis, the text reveals how Atipa, a Guianese hero, captures the social and political complexities of the time, using Guianese Creole as a tool to challenge French cultural and linguistic domination. The study emphasizes the unique position of the book in French expression literature of Latin America, underscoring its indispensable contribution to understanding Guianese history and culture. Parépou's choice of Creole not only lends authenticity to local narratives but also represents a strong critique of colonial hierarchies, marking the work for its direct approach in denouncing the injustices of colonialism. Additionally, the article reflects on the irony and implications of analyzing the text through its translation into French, considering this act as an extension of Parépou's resistance. This study seeks to enhance the appreciation of the work as a literary expression and an essential cultural document, emphasizing the role of literature as a vehicle for resistance and expression in contexts of oppression.