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The Woman with Two Navels: Tales of the Tropical Gothic

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The Woman Who Had Two Navels and Tales of the Tropical Gothic

by Nick Joaquin

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1422 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	476 pages

In the lush, humid world of the tropical Gothic, where shadows dance and the air hangs heavy with secrets, there lived a woman with two navels. Her story, and others like it, weave a tapestry of the strange and unsettling that has captivated readers for centuries.

The tropical Gothic is a literary genre that explores the dark and mysterious side of tropical environments. It often features themes of colonialism, slavery, and the supernatural. The genre emerged in the 19th century, as European writers began to explore the exotic and often dangerous landscapes of the tropics.

One of the most famous examples of the tropical Gothic is Charlotte Perkins Gilman's short story "The Yellow Wallpaper." The story follows a young woman who is sent to a remote mansion to recover from a nervous breakdown. As she spends time in the isolated house, she begins to see strange things. The wallpaper in her room seems to writhe and change shape, and she hears strange noises coming from the walls.

Gilman's story is a classic example of the tropical Gothic. It explores the themes of madness, isolation, and the power of the supernatural. The story's setting, a remote mansion in the tropics, is a perfect backdrop for the strange and unsettling events that unfold.

The Woman with Two Navels

The woman with two navels is a figure that appears in many different cultures around the world. In some cultures, she is seen as a symbol of fertility and good luck. In other cultures, she is seen as a harbinger of misfortune or even death.

In the Caribbean, the woman with two navels is often associated with the Obeah, a system of African-derived spiritual practices. Obeah is often used for healing, but it can also be used for harmful purposes. The woman with two navels is said to be a powerful Obeah practitioner, and she is often feared by those who cross her path.

In the Dominican Republic, there is a story about a woman with two navels who lived in a small village. The woman was said to be a witch, and she was feared by the villagers. One day, a young man from the village decided to marry the woman. The villagers were horrified, but the young man was determined to go through with the marriage.

On the day of the wedding, the young man and the woman were married in a small church. As they were leaving the church, the woman turned to her husband and said, "I have two navels." The young man was shocked, but he didn't say anything. They went home and lived together for many years.

One day, the young man was working in the fields when he saw his wife talking to a strange man. The man was dressed in black, and he had a long beard. The young man was suspicious of the man, and he went to the village to tell the elders what he had seen.

The elders were concerned, and they decided to investigate. They went to the young man's house, and they found the woman talking to the strange man. The elders asked the woman who the man was, but she refused to answer. The elders were angry, and they ordered the man to leave the village.

The man left the village, and the woman was never seen again. The villagers were relieved that the strange man was gone, but they were still afraid of the woman. They believed that she was a witch, and they were afraid that she would bring misfortune to the village.

Tales of the Tropical Gothic

The story of the woman with two navels is just one of many tales of the tropical Gothic. These stories often explore the dark and mysterious side of tropical environments. They often feature themes of colonialism, slavery, and the supernatural.

Here are a few more examples of tales of the tropical Gothic:

"The Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad
"Wide Sargasso Sea" by Jean Rhys
"Beloved" by Toni Morrison
"The Famished Road" by Ben Okri
"The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Diaz

These stories are all set in tropical environments, and they all explore the dark and mysterious side of these landscapes. They are often disturbing and unsettling, but they are also fascinating and thought-provoking.

The Legacy of the Tropical Gothic

The tropical Gothic is a genre that continues to fascinate and inspire readers today. Its stories explore the dark and mysterious side of tropical environments, and they often raise important questions about colonialism, slavery, and the supernatural.

The tropical Gothic has had a profound influence on literature, film, and television. Its stories have been adapted into countless movies and TV shows, and they have inspired generations of writers and artists.

The tropical Gothic is a genre that is here to stay. Its stories continue to fascinate and inspire readers today, and they are sure to continue to do so for many years to come.

The Woman Who Had Two Navels and Tales of the Tropical Gothic

by Nick Joaquin

4.7 out of 5