Small Island Andrea Levy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Small Island Andrea Levy - Essay Example It was not only dehumanising but also very demeaning, inspiring a number of strong written versions of expression of anguish. This novel is an attempt to do the same. However, it is not the author who takes up the task of story narration, and in turn imposes her thoughts. Instead, the author gives greater levels fo autonomy to her four principle characters to take turns and narrate the story! Thus, it is akin to a personal account of the experience of these individuals, set in racist England. This write-up is an attempt to sketch the character of Hortense, who is a migrant from the island of Jamaica. Her character is round, and undergoes a number of changes, spiritually and psychologically through the novel. This is exactly what I have attempted to chalk out, in this paper. The character of Hortense is representative of the average immigrant from the island of Jamaica, who comes to England with dreams to pursue a career. Through her character, the author gives the readers an insight into the mindset and expectations that these immigrants envisage; and how they face sheer disappointment and trauma on reaching the place and living in the midst of racially abusive individuals. UPBRINGING Hortense's character is carved on the dynamic side. Hortense was the daughter of a learned and respected person, Lovell Roberts. He is referred to, as "a man of class". Hortense's childhood was not that of a typical 'Black' Jamaican. She was above them-she had skin "the colour of warm honey" and was certainly not 'Black'. She received class education to become a teacher and possessed polished manners and behaviour. Her hands were adorned with white gloves and she certainly was, a picture of class. Hortense was disappointed with her career as a teacher in Jamaica, since she had to teach the 'Blacks' and not polished youngsters of class. INITIAL RACIST VIEWS This initial description is a give away into the racist Jamaican society. There existed deep-rooted racism, based on the colour of skin. For instance, Hortense was considered a cut above the rest, since she did not have black' skin like the others and possessed a honey-coloured complexion. This establishes the fact that she belonged to the so-called higher strata of the society, back home in Jamaica. She was proud of her skin-tone that was her passport to a higher class in society. She certainly did possess racist views and loathed having to teach the Black children, who were 'wretched', as she felt. Thus, the initial phase of the novel is quite a revelation of Hortense's early life, her racist views and ambitions of making it big in her career. SHIFT IN PERCEPTIONS WITH SHIFT IN PLACE She married Gilbert, who is scheduled to move to England, for the sole reason that she too could get to go to England. She marries him