This critical study investigates the thematic and structural complexities of Edward Kamau Brathwaite’s poem Masks, the second volume of his seminal The Arrivants trilogy. Robert Fraser and Yolande Cantu provide a comprehensive analysis of Brathwaite’s exploration of migration, cultural identity, and the historical encounter between Africa and the Caribbean. By examining the poet’s technical craft, the authors situate the work within the broader context of postcolonial discourse and the evolution of Caribbean literature.

This text serves as a foundational resource for students and researchers seeking to navigate the dense, multi-layered symbolism of Brathwaite’s work. The framing suggests a scholarly, pedagogical approach designed to clarify the poet's complex engagement with history and cultural memory.