“But what you give us that we can use out there? You don’t see the police vans hunting us down, or the managers who treat us like we are the lowest of the low. You’re too busy bowing and scraping to your beloved England. And where’s it got you? Remember her works do at the hospital last Christmas?”
Del is expressing her frustration and resentment towards her mother's seemingly blind loyalty to England while highlighting the harsh realities faced by immigrant communities. She criticizes Enid for not acknowledging the systemic issues faced by immigrants such as racial discrimination and exploitation by authorities and employers. The reference to "police vans hunting us down" suggests the constant threat of racial profiling and mistreatment faced by immigrant communities. Additionally, the mention of a hospital event from the past Christmas implies that despite their loyalty to England and efforts to assimilate, they still face discrimination and exclusion. This quote underscores the theme of cultural identity and the clash between the desire to assimilate and the need to address the challenges and prejudices faced by immigrant communities.
“People grow up in England think they can talk to you anyhow. Well, they can’t.”
Enid is expressing her frustration and discontent with her daughter Del's impolite behavior towards her. It's important to note that Enid as an immigrant and a mother with traditional values feels a strong sense of authority and respect should be maintained within the family despite generational and cultural differences. Enid is pushing back against what she perceives as Del's disregard for her and her Jamaican values, suggesting that Del who has grown up in England should not assume she can speak disrespectfully to her mother just because of cultural differences. This moment highlights the broader theme of communication and respect across cultural divides in a multicultural society.
“Well, she should. What you are teaching those children are all wrong. These girls got Caribbean souls”
Broderick is expressing his perspective that Enid should take a more active role in teaching her daughters, Del and Viv about their Caribbean heritage and cultural roots. He believes that Enid's approach to raising her daughters is lacking in terms of preserving their Caribbean identity. By stating that what Enid is teaching the children is "all wrong" Broderick emphasizes the importance of passing down cultural traditions and values to the next generation. He uses the phrase "Caribbean souls" to suggest that Del and Viv inherently carry the essence of their Caribbean heritage within them and should be nurtured to appreciate and embrace it. This quote underscores the generational and cultural tensions within the play as Broderick advocates for cultural preservation while Enid may be grappling with how best to navigate the balance between assimilation and cultural heritage in a foreign land.
“I feel like I gotta live out something that she missed out on.”
The quote is an expression of Viv's inner conflict and the weight of her mother's expectations. Viv is grappling with the pressure of trying to fulfill her mother Enid's unmet aspirations and desires. Enid as an immigrant and a mother who has faced significant challenges has high expectations for her children's success and assimilation into British society. Viv's statement reflects her deep sense of obligation to her mother's dreams and the fear that she might not measure up to those expectations. It also highlights the complex interplay between parental expectations and a child's desire for individuality and self-expression.
