That conflict, she says, "is all I ever write about."

The overarching theme in her work, she says, is the powerful and the powerless. That embodies the relationship between mother and child, between colony and empire--and today, though perhaps not forever, between Black and white.

While much of her work is taught in courses that focus on "ethnic fiction," Kincaid says she would really rather not be categorized that way.

"I wish they were taught for literary value primarily, if they have any," she says. "It would be terrible, when Black women...no longer need my books, if they were bad books and they were just thrown away."

Judging from the glowing reviews, the frequency with which her books are taught, and the popularity of her courses, Kincaid's reputation won't change anytime soon.

But to the dismay of many students, Kincaid says she will remain merely a visitor at Harvard.

Her Afro-Am office, which overlooks the Square, is lined with bookshelves she doesn't expect to fill. She doesn't plan to stay at Harvard beyond this year.

"I think I would find a wholly academic life very confusing," Kincaid says.

She suspects that juggling the duties of writer, mother and teacher might be too much for her.

In any case, this semester will be a sort of trial period, a chance for Kincaid to learn whether she can do it all.

Think of her as Jamaica Kincaid, the student.