Four Plots in One
In the novel Small Island, Andrea Levy weaves four people’s stories (and four plots) into one cohesive narrative. Levy separates the book between past and present times, reflecting and acting, oscillating between the two. Then, she divides the narrative into four smaller narratives, having sections written from a particular character’s perspective. Gilbert Joseph (a Jamaican Royal Air Force member who immigrates to England), Hortense Joseph (a Jamaican who follows her “husband” Gilbert to England), Queenie (a white landlady), and Bernard (Queenie’s husband who has fought in World War II) tell stories individually, adding up to an interesting narrative, detailing the types of wars they all fought.
Small Island begins, after Queenie reflects on life, with Gilbert and Hortense arguing about the living conditions in London as she arrives. The novel then reverts to the past, giving insight into how they ended up in London. As World War II progressed, England recruited people from its other territories, such as Jamaica. Gilbert joined the Royal Air Force.
After dealing with racism as he is off duty in London, Gilbert wanders aimlessly and stumbles upon a man who is mentally absent, Albert, who then leads Gilbert to Queenie’s doorstep. The three of them became friendly and go to the movies one day. A fight ensued between the police and these three. Albert died due to a gunshot wound, a different casualty to the war. Gilbert returned from duty with the Royal Air Force and wanted to live in London to Jamaica. Hortense offered to loan him money if he married her (despite her love for Michael Roberts), so she could relocate to London as well.
Just as Gilbert gets settled in, renting from Queenie’s large house as many other immigrants do since Queenie’s husband is away fighting in the war, Hortense arrives. Hortense and Gilbert bicker a great deal, about small issues, such as how to cook potatoes. Yet, these cultural conflictions are issues of immigration. Queenie, likewise, tries to help Hortense with London culture. Though Hortense thinks Queenie to be stuck up since she is white and speaks English like those on the British Broadcasting Channel. Eventually, Hortense and Gilbert go to a school so Hortense can acquire a teaching job. After explaining she was trained in Jamaica, the school tells her she cannot teach in London. After seeing this devastate her, Gilbert consoles her and they begin working together calmly.
One day, Hortense accompanies Queenie to the grocery store. After they purchase their goods, they run into a man Queenie recognizes: her husband, Bernard. Bernard has not been in the war for a long time, but he has not returned home. He worried about a possible case of syphilis after having sex with a prostitute, but it turned out to be the flu. Then, he ends up in jail for awhile. Nonetheless, Queenie is shocked to see him and have him return home, after making himself present again.
Yet, nothing is as shocking as Queenie’s surprise in the ending. As Gilbert and Bernard bicker and their voices escalate, Queenie begins feeling ill very quickly. She is then insistent on Hortense to bring her to her bedroom. There, Queenie unwraps bandages around her midsection to reveal her pregnant self— a fact she has been hiding since she knew it. Hortense performs as the midwife. The child is black; Hortense then questions Queenie. Queenie unveils her fling with Michael Roberts who arrived to her house and stayed for a few days of passionate lovemaking. As Gilbert and Bernard enter the room, Queenie’s secret is revealed. Despite Bernard’s pleadings, Queenie begs Gilbert and Hortense to take the child, as they are moving to another location. They bring the child with them, adopting it as their own, as they move on, finally in love.
Small Island begins, after Queenie reflects on life, with Gilbert and Hortense arguing about the living conditions in London as she arrives. The novel then reverts to the past, giving insight into how they ended up in London. As World War II progressed, England recruited people from its other territories, such as Jamaica. Gilbert joined the Royal Air Force.
After dealing with racism as he is off duty in London, Gilbert wanders aimlessly and stumbles upon a man who is mentally absent, Albert, who then leads Gilbert to Queenie’s doorstep. The three of them became friendly and go to the movies one day. A fight ensued between the police and these three. Albert died due to a gunshot wound, a different casualty to the war. Gilbert returned from duty with the Royal Air Force and wanted to live in London to Jamaica. Hortense offered to loan him money if he married her (despite her love for Michael Roberts), so she could relocate to London as well.
Just as Gilbert gets settled in, renting from Queenie’s large house as many other immigrants do since Queenie’s husband is away fighting in the war, Hortense arrives. Hortense and Gilbert bicker a great deal, about small issues, such as how to cook potatoes. Yet, these cultural conflictions are issues of immigration. Queenie, likewise, tries to help Hortense with London culture. Though Hortense thinks Queenie to be stuck up since she is white and speaks English like those on the British Broadcasting Channel. Eventually, Hortense and Gilbert go to a school so Hortense can acquire a teaching job. After explaining she was trained in Jamaica, the school tells her she cannot teach in London. After seeing this devastate her, Gilbert consoles her and they begin working together calmly.
One day, Hortense accompanies Queenie to the grocery store. After they purchase their goods, they run into a man Queenie recognizes: her husband, Bernard. Bernard has not been in the war for a long time, but he has not returned home. He worried about a possible case of syphilis after having sex with a prostitute, but it turned out to be the flu. Then, he ends up in jail for awhile. Nonetheless, Queenie is shocked to see him and have him return home, after making himself present again.
Yet, nothing is as shocking as Queenie’s surprise in the ending. As Gilbert and Bernard bicker and their voices escalate, Queenie begins feeling ill very quickly. She is then insistent on Hortense to bring her to her bedroom. There, Queenie unwraps bandages around her midsection to reveal her pregnant self— a fact she has been hiding since she knew it. Hortense performs as the midwife. The child is black; Hortense then questions Queenie. Queenie unveils her fling with Michael Roberts who arrived to her house and stayed for a few days of passionate lovemaking. As Gilbert and Bernard enter the room, Queenie’s secret is revealed. Despite Bernard’s pleadings, Queenie begs Gilbert and Hortense to take the child, as they are moving to another location. They bring the child with them, adopting it as their own, as they move on, finally in love.
