Essay Questions

How does Levy demonstrate that United Kingdom is a racist society?

Racism discrimination emerges as the central theme in the 'Small Island' book. Gilbert and his wife, Hortense, are Jamaican by origin, but they relocate to London in search of better opportunities. However, things are not as they expect because they are looked at with suspicion. While in London, Gilbert finds it hard to get a good job or place to stay because he is not a European, and his skin color betrays him. When Gilbert's wife arrives in London, she finds it difficult to secure a teaching job because she is a Jamaican. The excuse the learning institutions issue for denying her a teaching position is that her education in Jamaica is substandard, and that cannot grantee her a job. The author demonstrates Gilbert and his wife's life in London to show readers how racism denies immigrants opportunities simply because of their origin.

Is the issue of sexual immorality and adultery rampant in the book?

The marriage between Bernard and Queenie is complicated, and it paints an accurate picture of what happens in reality. Bernard is a soldier, and he spends most of his time in war zones. While at war, Bernard gets engaged with a prostitute with whom he had sexual intercourse on several occasions. When Bernard realizes he is sick, he suspects that he is suffering from syphilis and decides not to come home until he recovers. While Bernard is having sexual relationships at work, Queenie is busy having sex with a black man called Michael, impregnating her. When Bernard comes home, Queenie realizes that she is pregnant, and she decides to give her newborn to Gilbert and his wife to avoid discrimination.

Why do you think that cultural diversity is among the themes out across by Levi?

Despite the rampant racism, Gilbert and his wife are experiencing a new culture and way of doing things. For instance, Gilbert is trying to learn English so that he can communicate effectively with the locals. Similarly, the Europeans, such as Queenie and her father-in-law, are learning the Jamaican way of doing things. Unlike other predominant whites, Queenie accepts Gilbert and his wife to rent a house in her properties. Queenie is also having an affair with a black man called Michael, who was at first was Hortense's boyfriend.