Introduction: “Exile” by Julia Alvarez
“Exile” by Julia Alvarez was first published in 1984 within her groundbreaking collection of poetry, Homecoming. With simple yet evocative language, the poem explores themes of displacement, cultural identity, and the struggle to reconcile a fractured sense of belonging. Alvarez draws on her own experience of fleeing the Dominican Republic as a child, capturing the raw emotions of longing for a lost homeland and the disorienting experience of living between two worlds. The poem’s impact lies in its honesty, its ability to give voice to the universal experiences of immigrants and refugees.
Text: “Exile” by Julia Alvarez
The night we fled the country, Papi,
you told me we were going to the beach,
hurried me to get dressed along with the others,
while posted at a window, you looked out
at a curfew-darkened Ciudad Trujillo,
speaking in worried whispers to your brothers,
which car to take, who’d be willing to drive it,
what explanation to give should we be discovered …
On the way to the beach, you added, eyeing me.
The uncles fell in, chuckling phony chuckles,
What a good time she’ll have learning to swim!
Back in my sisters’ room Mami was packing
a hurried bag, allowing one toy apiece,
her red eyes belying her explanation:
a week at the beach so Papi can get some rest.
She dressed us in our best dresses, party shoes.
Something was off, I knew, but I was young
and didn’t think adult things could go wrong.
So as we quietly filed out of the house
we wouldn’t see again for another decade,
I let myself lie back in the deep waters,
my arms out like Jesus’ on His cross,
and instead of sinking down as I’d always done,
magically, that night, I could stay up,
floating out, past the driveway, past the gates,
in the black Ford, Papi grim at the wheel,
winding through back roads, stroke by difficult stroke,
out on the highway, heading toward the coast.
Past the checkpoint, we raced towards the airport,
my sisters crying when we turned before
the family beach house, Mami consoling,
there was a better surprise in store for us!
She couldn’t tell, though, until … until we were there.
But I had already swum ahead and guessed
some loss much larger than I understood,
more danger than the deep end of the pool.
At the dark, deserted airport we waited.
All night in a fitful sleep, I swam.
At dawn the plane arrived, and as we boarded,
Papi, you turned, your eyes scanned the horizon
as if you were trying to sight a distant swimmer,
your hand frantically waving her back in,
for you knew as we stepped inside the cabin
that a part of both of us had been set adrift.
Weeks later, wandering our new city, hand in hand,
you tried to explain the wonders: escalators
as moving belts; elevators: pulleys and ropes;
blond hair and blue eyes: a genetic code.
We stopped before a summery display window
at Macy’s, The World’s Largest Department Store,
to admire a family outfitted for the beach:
the handsome father, slim and sure of himself,
so unlike you, Papi, with your thick mustache,
your three-piece suit, your fedora hat, your accent.
And by his side a girl who looked like Heidi
in my storybook waded in colored plastic.
We stood awhile, marveling at America,
both of us trying hard to feel luckier
than we felt, both of us pointing out
the beach pails, the shovels, the sandcastles
no wave would ever topple, the red and blue boats.
And when we backed away, we saw our reflections
superimposed, big-eyed, dressed too formally
with all due respect as visitors to this country.
Or like, Papi, two swimmers looking down
at the quiet surface of our island waters,
seeing their faces right before plunging in,
eager, afraid, not yet sure of the outcome.
Annotations: “Exile” by Julia Alvarez
| Stanza | Annotation |
| The night we fled the country, Papi, you told me we were going to the beach, hurried me to get dressed along with the others, while posted at a window, you looked out at a curfew-darkened Ciudad Trujillo, speaking in worried whispers to your brothers, which car to take, who’d be willing to drive it, what explanation to give should we be discovered … | The poem opens with the speaker’s recollection of fleeing their country with their father (Papi) and family under the cover of darkness during a curfew. The urgency of the situation is emphasized as they hastily prepare to leave, uncertain of the risks and potential consequences of being discovered. |
| On the way to the beach, you added, eyeing me. The uncles fell in, chuckling phony chuckles, What a good time she’ll have learning to swim! Back in my sisters’ room Mami was packing a hurried bag, allowing one toy apiece, her red eyes belying her explanation: a week at the beach so Papi can get some rest. She dressed us in our best dresses, party shoes. | Despite the facade of a beach trip, the family’s departure is shrouded in secrecy and tension. The speaker’s father tries to reassure them with false excitement about the beach, while the mother (Mami) struggles emotionally, hinting at the true reason for their escape. The family’s forced cheerfulness contrasts with the underlying fear and uncertainty of their situation. |
| Something was off, I knew, but I was young and didn’t think adult things could go wrong. So as we quietly filed out of the house we wouldn’t see again for another decade, I let myself lie back in the deep waters, my arms out like Jesus’ on His cross, and instead of sinking down as I’d always done, magically, that night, I could stay up, floating out, past the driveway, past the gates, in the black Ford, Papi grim at the wheel, winding through back roads, stroke by difficult stroke, out on the highway, heading toward the coast. | The speaker reflects on their youthful innocence and obliviousness to the gravity of their situation. They vividly recall the sensation of floating in water, juxtaposing it with the surreal experience of fleeing in a car with their family, guided by their father’s determined yet apprehensive driving. The imagery of water serves as a metaphor for their journey into the unknown, with the speaker feeling both vulnerable and strangely buoyant amidst the upheaval. |
| Past the checkpoint, we raced towards the airport, my sisters crying when we turned before the family beach house, Mami consoling, there was a better surprise in store for us! She couldn’t tell, though, until … until we were there. But I had already swum ahead and guessed some loss much larger than I understood, more danger than the deep end of the pool. | The family’s journey continues as they bypass familiar landmarks, including their beach house, heading instead for the airport. The speaker senses the magnitude of their loss and the uncertainty of their future, realizing that they are leaving behind not only physical belongings but also a sense of security and familiarity. Despite the mother’s attempts at reassurance, the speaker grasps the enormity of their situation, feeling the weight of impending exile. |
| At the dark, deserted airport we waited. All night in a fitful sleep, I swam. At dawn the plane arrived, and as we boarded, Papi, you turned, your eyes scanned the horizon as if you were trying to sight a distant swimmer, your hand frantically waving her back in, for you knew as we stepped inside the cabin that a part of both of us had been set adrift. | The family’s arrival at the airport marks a pivotal moment of departure and separation. The speaker describes feeling adrift, akin to swimming in their restless sleep, while their father anxiously scans the horizon as if searching for something lost. The imagery highlights the emotional turmoil of leaving their homeland and the recognition that their lives will never be the same. |
| Weeks later, wandering our new city, hand in hand, you tried to explain the wonders: escalators as moving belts; elevators: pulleys and ropes; blond hair and blue eyes: a genetic code. We stopped before a summery display window at Macy’s, The World’s Largest Department Store, to admire a family outfitted for the beach: the handsome father, slim and sure of himself, so unlike you, Papi, with your thick mustache, your three-piece suit, your fedora hat, your accent. And by his side a girl who looked like Heidi in my storybook waded in colored plastic. | The speaker and their father navigate their new life in a foreign city, grappling with cultural differences and unfamiliar customs. The father attempts to explain the marvels of their new surroundings, but the speaker notices stark contrasts between their family and the idealized representations of American life. The scene at Macy’s underscores their sense of displacement and alienation, as they confront societal norms and ideals that feel foreign and unattainable. |
| We stood awhile, marveling at America, both of us trying hard to feel luckier than we felt, both of us pointing out the beach pails, the shovels, the sandcastles no wave would ever topple, the red and blue boats. And when we backed away, we saw our reflections superimposed, big-eyed, dressed too formally with all due respect as visitors to this country. Or like, Papi, two swimmers looking down at the quiet surface of our island waters, seeing their faces right before plunging in, eager, afraid, not yet sure of the outcome. | The speaker and their father attempt to find solace and optimism in their new surroundings, but their reflections reveal a sense of displacement and uncertainty. They see themselves as outsiders, unable to fully integrate into American society despite their efforts. The metaphor of swimmers looking into the water symbolizes their apprehension and anticipation as they navigate the challenges of exile, unsure of what lies ahead. |
Literary And Poetic Devices: “Exile” by Julia Alvarez
- Alliteration: Repetition of initial consonant sounds, such as “curfew-darkened Ciudad Trujillo,” creating a rhythmic effect.
- Allusion: Reference to a well-known person, event, or work of literature, as seen in “her eyes belying her explanation: a week at the beach,” invoking a deeper meaning or connection.
- Assonance: Repetition of vowel sounds within words, like in “curfew-darkened,” adding to the musicality of the text.
- Connotation: The implied meaning or emotional association of a word, such as “floating out,” suggesting both freedom and uncertainty beyond its literal meaning.
- Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line of poetry to the next without a pause or break, creating a sense of flow and continuity.
- Imagery: Vivid descriptions that appeal to the senses, such as “the black Ford, Papi grim at the wheel,” painting a clear picture in the reader’s mind.
- Irony: A contrast between expectation and reality, as in the family’s supposed trip to the beach which turns out to be an escape from danger, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.
- Metaphor: A comparison between two unlike things without using “like” or “as,” like “floating out, past the driveway,” conveying deeper meanings and emotions.
- Motif: A recurring symbol or theme throughout a literary work, such as the imagery of swimming and water, contributing to the overall message and atmosphere.
- Onomatopoeia: Words that imitate the sounds they describe, as in “chuckling phony chuckles,” enhancing the auditory experience for the reader.
- Personification: Giving human qualities to non-human entities, like “her eyes belying her explanation,” adding depth and emotional resonance to the description.
- Repetition: The recurrence of words or phrases, as seen in “her eyes belying her explanation,” emphasizing key ideas and creating rhythm.
- Rhyme: The correspondence of sounds between words, often at the end of lines, contributing to the poem’s musicality and structure.
- Simile: A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as,” such as “arms out like Jesus’ on His cross,” providing vivid imagery and emphasizing the speaker’s vulnerability.
- Symbolism: The use of symbols to represent ideas or concepts, like the beach symbolizing both escape and loss, adding depth and layers of meaning to the text.
- Syntax: The arrangement of words and phrases, such as the fragmented syntax in “floating out, past the driveway,” contributing to the poem’s tone and rhythm.
- Tone: The attitude or feeling conveyed by the author, such as the mixture of urgency and nostalgia in the poem, shaping the reader’s interpretation.
- Understatement: The presentation of something as less important or severe than it actually is, as in “her red eyes belying her explanation,” adding subtlety and complexity to the description.
- Voice: The distinctive style or personality of the speaker, reflected in the poem’s language and tone, shaping the reader’s connection to the text.
Themes: “Exile” by Julia Alvarez
- Trauma of Displacement and Forced Migration: “Exile” by Julia Alvarez vividly portrays the experience of fleeing one’s homeland under duress, highlighting the trauma and upheaval inherent in exile. The poem depicts the hurried preparations, secretive departure, and emotional turmoil of leaving familiar surroundings behind. For instance, the speaker’s family hastily packs for a supposed beach trip, masking the true reason for their departure with false cheerfulness. This theme is reinforced through imagery of water and swimming, symbolizing the speaker’s sense of being adrift and uprooted from their homeland.
- Search for Identity and Belonging in a New Culture: As the speaker and their family adjust to life in a foreign city, they grapple with cultural differences and feelings of displacement. References to their attempts to understand and assimilate into American society underscore their struggle to find a sense of belonging. Contrasts between their appearance and the idealized representations of American life highlight their status as outsiders. This theme is further developed through the metaphor of swimming, symbolizing the speaker’s journey of self-discovery and adaptation amidst the challenges of exile.
- Family Bonds and Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Despite the challenges of exile, the speaker’s family remains united and supportive of one another. References to the father’s protective instincts, the mother’s attempts to comfort her children, and the siblings’ shared experiences convey a sense of solidarity and resilience. Even as they navigate unfamiliar surroundings and confront cultural barriers, the family draws strength from their mutual love and support. This theme is exemplified in the scene at the airport, symbolizing the family’s collective struggle to preserve their identity and connection amidst exile.
- Nostalgia and Loss for the Homeland: The poem delves into the theme of nostalgia and loss for the homeland, despite efforts to adapt to a new environment. References to familiar landmarks evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia for the past. The speaker’s reflections on their former life, coupled with their displacement in a foreign culture, underscore the profound loss and yearning for their homeland. This theme is encapsulated in the image of the family’s reflections superimposed against the backdrop of their new surroundings, highlighting the enduring presence of their homeland in their memories and identity.
Literary Theories and “Exile” by Julia Alvarez
- Focus: Examines the impact of colonialism and imperialism on individuals, cultures, and societies, focusing on issues of power, identity, and resistance.
- Application to “Exile”: The poem speaks powerfully to the lingering effects of colonization. It highlights the displacement and identity struggles faced by those exiled from their homeland. Alvarez’s use of fragmented language and shifting perspectives mirrors the disorientation of the speaker and her family as they navigate between cultures.
- Key Concepts: Hybridity, othering, mimicry, and the psychological impact of displacement.
- Focus: Analyzes literature through a gendered lens, examining issues of representation, power dynamics, and societal expectations for women.
- Application to “Exile”: While the father is central, the poem offers nuanced perspectives on the exile experience from a female viewpoint. It hints at the mother’s masked anxiety (seen in her red eyes, frantic packing) and highlights the young girl’s sensitivity to changing social expectations.
- Key Concepts: Gender roles, the female experience of trauma, patriarchal power structures, and female agency.
- Focus: Explores the psychological and emotional impact of traumatic experiences on individuals and communities, as represented in literature.
- Application to “Exile”: The poem depicts the lingering trauma of exile as both a major life event and a continuous undercurrent shaping experience. Alvarez uses imagery of swimming and drowning, reflecting the conflicting emotions of vulnerability and resilience faced by those displaced.
- Key Concepts: Fragmentation of memory, dissociation, survivor’s guilt, and the struggle for meaning and healing.
Critical Questions about “Exile” by Julia Alvarez
- Question 1: How does the speaker’s perspective on exile change throughout the poem?
- Reference: “Something was off, I knew, but I was young / and didn’t think adult things could go wrong.” (lines 9-10)
- Analysis: The speaker begins by describing their exile from their home country as a child, unaware of the severity of the situation. As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the experience with a newfound understanding of the difficulties and dangers faced by their family.
- Question 2: How does the poem use imagery and metaphor to convey the experience of exile?
- Reference: “I let myself lie back in the deep waters, / my arms out like Jesus’ on His cross, / and instead of sinking down as I’d always done, / magically, that night, I could stay up,” (lines 13-16)
- Analysis: The poem employs vivid imagery and metaphors, such as the speaker floating in water, to convey the sense of disorientation and dislocation that comes with exile. The comparison to Jesus on the cross also suggests a sense of sacrifice and loss.
- Question 3: How does the poem explore the tension between the speaker’s old and new identities?
- Reference: “We stood awhile, marveling at America, / both of us trying hard to feel luckier / than we felt, both of us pointing out / the beach pails, the shovels, the sandcastles” (lines 35-38)
- Analysis: The poem highlights the speaker’s struggle to reconcile their old life with their new circumstances, as they navigate their new identity in a foreign country. The speaker and their father attempt to find comfort in the familiar trappings of American culture, but it’s clear they don’t yet feel at home.
- Question 4: How does the poem use the relationship between the speaker and their father to explore the experience of exile?
- Reference: “Papi, you turned, your eyes scanned the horizon / as if you were trying to sight a distant swimmer, / your hand frantically waving her back in,” (lines 25-27)
- Analysis: The poem uses the speaker’s relationship with their father to convey the emotional toll of exile on families. The father’s anxious gaze and frantic waving convey a sense of longing and disconnection, highlighting the difficulties of starting anew in a foreign land.
Topics, Questions and Thesis Statement about “Exile” by Julia Alvarez
| Topic | Questions | Thesis Statement |
| Effects of Forced Migration | How does the poem depict the emotional and psychological impact of exile on the speaker and their family? | “Exile” by Julia Alvarez explores the profound emotional and psychological effects of forced migration, depicting the trauma and resilience of individuals and families uprooted from their homeland. |
| Cultural Adaptation and Identity | How does the speaker navigate their identity in a new cultural context? | Through vivid imagery and poignant reflections, “Exile” delves into the complexities of cultural adaptation and the quest for identity in a foreign environment, highlighting the challenges and resilience of individuals caught between two worlds. |
| Familial Bonds Amidst Adversity | What role do familial relationships play in the speaker’s experience of exile? | In “Exile,” familial bonds emerge as a source of strength and resilience amidst adversity, as the speaker and their family navigate the challenges of displacement, drawing on their love and solidarity to persevere through uncertainty and upheaval. |
| Nostalgia and Loss for Homeland | How does the poem convey the theme of nostalgia and longing for the homeland? | Through evocative imagery and poignant reflections, “Exile” captures the profound sense of nostalgia and loss experienced by individuals displaced from their homeland, exploring the enduring connection to one’s roots amidst the challenges of adapting to a new life. |
Literary Works Similar to “Exile” by Julia Alvarez
- “The Lost Land” by Eavan Boland: Boland’s poem explores themes of displacement and cultural identity, much like Alvarez’s “Exile.” Through vivid imagery and reflective language, Boland delves into the longing for a lost homeland and the struggle to reconcile one’s identity in a new environment.
- “Home Burial” by Robert Frost: Frost’s poem delves into themes of grief, loss, and emotional exile within the confines of a marriage. The tension between the husband and wife, as they mourn the loss of their child, mirrors the sense of displacement and estrangement found in Alvarez’s work.
- “The New Colossus” by Emma Lazarus: While a sonnet rather than a narrative poem, Lazarus’s work shares thematic similarities with “Exile” by addressing the experiences of immigrants arriving in a new land. Like Alvarez’s poem, “The New Colossus” explores themes of migration, displacement, and the search for a sense of belonging.
- “Migration” by W. S. Merwin: Merwin’s poem contemplates the idea of migration and its impact on both individuals and communities. Through rich imagery and introspective language, Merwin captures the complexities of leaving one’s homeland and adapting to a new life elsewhere, resonating with the themes explored in “Exile.”
- “Crossing the Water” by Sylvia Plath: Plath’s collection of poems, including “Crossing the Water,” addresses themes of transition, departure, and isolation. Much like “Exile,” these poems delve into the emotional and psychological landscape of displacement, offering poignant reflections on the human experience of leaving behind familiar surroundings and venturing into the unknown.
Suggested Readings: “Exile” by Julia Alvarez
Books
- Dalleo, Raphael, and Elena Machado Sáez. The Latino/a Canon and the Emergence of Post-Sixties Literature. Palgrave Macmillan, 2007. (This collection explores how Latino/a writers, including Alvarez, represent issues of history, migration, and identity, providing a broader context for analyzing the poem.)
- McCracken, Ellen. New Latina Narrative: The Feminine Space of Postmodern Ethnicity. University of Arizona Press, 1999. (Examines representations of the female experience in Latina literature, relevant for understanding “Exile” through a feminist lens.)
Articles
- Caminero-Santangelo, Marta. “The Pleasurable Politics of Julia Alvarez.” Aztlán: A Journal of Chicano Studies, vol. 35, no. 1, 2010, pp. 7-33. JSTOR, [www.jstor.org/stable/41407734] (Provides a comprehensive analysis of Alvarez’s work, including themes of exile and cultural identity relevant to the poem.)
- Kong, Belinda. “The Dangerous Coast of Memory: Reconstructing Dominican Identity in Julia Alvarez’s Poetry.” Melus, vol. 26, no. 4, 2001, pg. 115-135. JSTOR, [www.jstor.org/stable/3185588] (Addresses the complex portrayal of memory and the Dominican past in “Exile”.)
Web Resources
- Modern American Poetry: https://www.modernamericanpoetry.org/about-maps (Features critical analysis of Alvarez’s poetry and biographical information, offering further perspectives on “Exile”.)
- Poetry Foundation: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/julia-alvarez (Provides a repository of Julia Alvarez’s poems, including “Exile”, along with biographical information and sometimes additional resources.)
Representative Quotations from “Exile” by Julia Alvarez
| Quotation | Context | Theoretical Perspective |
| “hurried me to get dressed along with the others, while posted at a window, you looked out at a curfew-darkened Ciudad Trujillo, speaking in worried whispers to your brothers” | The speaker recounts the urgency of their departure from their homeland under the cover of darkness during a curfew. The father (Papi) hastily prepares the family to leave while expressing concern about potential risks and the need for secrecy. | The quotation illustrates the concept of displacement as the family is forced to flee their homeland amidst danger, highlighting the emotional and psychological impact of forced migration. |
| “Something was off, I knew, but I was young and didn’t think adult things could go wrong. So as we quietly filed out of the house we wouldn’t see again for another decade” | The speaker reflects on their youthful innocence and obliviousness to the gravity of their situation as they leave their home, not fully comprehending the implications of their departure. Despite sensing that something is wrong, they trust in their parents’ guidance and follow them into the unknown. | This quotation explores the theme of identity formation and the transition from childhood to adulthood, emphasizing the speaker’s evolving awareness of their circumstances and the complexities of growing up amidst displacement. |
| “All night in a fitful sleep, I swam. At dawn the plane arrived, and as we boarded, Papi, you turned, your eyes scanned the horizon as if you were trying to sight a distant swimmer” | The family waits anxiously at the airport for their departure, symbolizing a pivotal moment of separation and departure. The father’s restless gaze mirrors the speaker’s own sense of being adrift, as if searching for something lost amidst the uncertainty of their journey. | This quotation embodies the concept of liminality, capturing the transitional state between departure and arrival, where individuals are neither fully rooted in their past nor fully integrated into their new environment, experiencing a sense of in-betweenness and uncertainty. |
| “And when we backed away, we saw our reflections superimposed, big-eyed, dressed too formally with all due respect as visitors to this country” | The speaker and their father observe their reflections in a department store window, confronting their status as outsiders in a new culture. Their appearance contrasts with the idealized representations of American life, highlighting their sense of displacement and alienation. | This quotation reflects the theme of cultural adaptation and the challenges of assimilating into a new society, exploring the complexities of identity and belonging amidst the clash of cultural norms and ideals. |
| “Or like, Papi, two swimmers looking down at the quiet surface of our island waters, seeing their faces right before plunging in, eager, afraid, not yet sure of the outcome” | The speaker compares their experience of exile to that of swimmers preparing to dive into unknown waters, symbolizing the uncertainty and apprehension of their journey. The image captures the mixture of excitement and fear as they navigate the challenges of adaptation and change. | This quotation embodies the theme of migration as a transformative journey into the unknown, exploring the emotional and psychological dimensions of leaving behind one’s homeland and venturing into new territory. |