Genre
Play
Language
English
Setting and Context
It is set primarily in a Jamaican immigrant household in London.
Narrator and Point of View
It is presented through dialogue and interactions among the characters.
Tone and Mood
The tone is reflective, poignant, and emotional. The mood is melancholic, nostalgic, and tense.
Protagonist and Antagonist
The protagonist is Enid. The antagonist is cultural conflicts and generational differences.
Major Conflict
The major conflict is the clash between the Jamaican family's cultural heritage and their attempts to assimilate into British society. This conflict is evident in the generational differences between the mother and her daughters. The struggle to maintain their Jamaican roots while adapting to their new environment creates tension within the family.
Climax
The climax occurs when Enid confronts and reconciles with her past trauma and regrets.
Foreshadowing
The differing desires of the daughters—one wanting to embrace British culture and the other wanting to connect with her Jamaican roots—foreshadow the generational conflict that will emerge.
Understatement
n/a
Allusions
The play references Jamaican folklore and traditions.
Imagery
"Then one of the nurses drinks too much and pukes all over the floor."
This description combines visual imagery of the nurse's actions with the strong sensory element associated with vomit.
Paradox
The characters are torn between the desire to assimilate into British society for acceptance and the need to preserve their cultural identity.
Parallelism
The struggles Enid faced when she first arrived in England mirror those faced by her daughters. This showcases the cyclical nature of challenges faced by immigrants.
Personification
"You don’t see the police vans hunting us down."
There is a personification of the police vans.
Use of Dramatic Devices
Stage Directions:
The stage directions such as "ENID slaps DEL" and "DEL leaves. VIV goes after her" guide actors and directors.
