Space
There are many spaces within the novel but the key to them are which spaces are public and which ones are private. There are clear distinctions in the interactions between black and white individuals in a space like Queenie’s house versus on the street and in public buildings. Specifically, you can see Hortense and Gilbert try to make their home on the west end of London in Queenie’s house but struggle to fit into the society around it. The threshold to the house acts as a barrier between the internal and external spaces of the novel.
Multiculturalism
This is a theme specifically seen with Hortense and Gilbert as they first try to adapt to the proper English way of life. But through triumphs and failures, they come to realize that, ‘not everything the English do are good’ and they learn to mesh their Jamaican selves with the English culture that works for them.
Prejudices & Racism
This is a theme that is present in both the ‘before’ and ‘after’ sections of the novel. Readers see Hortense and Gilbert struggle with living in a majority white society who are not welcoming of them. And readers can observe Queenie’s ignorance towards the inequality of the races as she unknowingly partakes in the prejudice and racism sometimes. This includes the character of Hortense and Gilbert being expected to settle for less than they really deserve while in London.
