Police Hunt
Del asserts, "You don’t see the police vans hunting us down, or the managers who treat us like we are the lowest of the low." This imagery conveys a sense of persecution and fear within the immigrant community. The image of police vans evokes a feeling of being pursued, oppressed, and marginalized. It illustrates the struggles and challenges faced by immigrants. Thus, it highlights their vulnerability and the constant threat of discrimination and mistreatment.
Clean Up
Del describes the scene where Enid is forced to clean up a nurse's mess while dressed up and looking beautiful. She describes, "Then one of the nurses drinks too much and pukes all over the floor, remember that? ... in front of everyone, matron tells you to clean it up." This imagery represents a loss of dignity and pride. It paints a picture of the degradation and humiliation that can occur within a work environment due to prejudice or lack of respect. Therefore, it is a powerful visual representation of the struggles immigrants face while trying to find their place in society.
Academic Conformity
The imagery of searching for oneself in books paints a vivid picture of Viv grappling with finding her own identity. Viv says, “Oh, I knew all the answers. Pat me on the head and they all come tumbling out, say exactly what the examiners want to hear. But no matter how much I search for myself in them books, I’m never there.” Viv expresses her adeptness at providing the expected answers, which indicates proficiency in conforming to the established norms. The imagery highlights the complexity of identity formation and the tension between external conformity and personal authenticity.
Slap and Potential Retaliation
The imagery of the slap and the moment where it seems like Del might hit back highlights the tensions within the family. In the stage directions, it is described, "ENID slaps DEL…DEL. Might hit her back." It is a physical manifestation of the conflict between generations, cultures, and ideologies. The threat of retaliation illustrates the volatile nature of their relationships and the underlying frustrations.
