A Rebel in a Land of Contradictions
INTRO - Rogues in Paradise & Colonialism Yardfowl is a symbolic character in Rogues in Paradise, representing the strength and spirit of Bajans who made it through the inhumanity of slavery. He is a fictional creation influenced by genuine voices that refuse to be silenced by the sanitized versions of history. Yardfowl's option to speak in Bajan slang highlights his rejection of colonial standards and his desire to assert his cultural identity. Named after the ubiquitous free-roaming chickens in Barbados, Yardfowl's character embodies a strong self-reliance and defiance of the status quo. Examples: Challenging History's Glorification. Throughout the book, Yardfowl takes offense at any effort to soften or glamorize the colonial past. His sharp, unyielding voice contrasts dramatically with those who might try to stabilize the scars of history with little gestures of generosity from the colonizers. For Yardfowl, even these moments are steeped in hypocrisy. An example is t...