New Books in Literary Studies Glyne Griffith, “The BBC and the Development of Anglophone Caribbean Literature, 1943-1958” (Palgrave MacMillan, 2016)
Mar 7, 2017
Glyne Griffith, a distinguished scholar of Caribbean literature, discusses his book on the BBC's 'Caribbean Voices' program and its lasting impact from 1943 to 1958. He highlights how this radio initiative introduced influential writers like George Lamming and Louise Bennett, shaping a cohesive Caribbean identity during a tumultuous era of decolonization. Griffith delves into themes like the peasant as a symbol of resistance, the interplay of media in literary development, and evolving portrayals of masculinity, all while illuminating the rich legacy of Caribbean literature.
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Serendipitous Archival Discovery
- Glyne Griffith discovered BBC Caribbean Voices materials serendipitously while researching at UWI Mona as a doctoral student.
- He set the files aside to finish his dissertation and later returned to study the correspondence and scripts in depth.
How The Program Operated
- Caribbean Voices solicited poems, short stories, and chapters from aspiring writers across the region and broadcast chosen pieces from London.
- Cedric Lindo in Jamaica filtered submissions before Henry Swansea in London made final selections for BBC broadcasts.
Vernacular As Territorial Representation
- Swansea privileged vernacular and territory-specific description because he believed it made writing more authentic and distinctive.
- That editorial choice let listeners hear recognizably 'Trinidadian' or 'Jamaican' voices and fostered representation back to the region.
