Essay Questions

How does the author illustrate to readers that not everything that glitters is gold?

Any immigrant from a third-world country looking forward to going to England thinks it is a haven on earth. The pictures of England show magnificent cities and high-class institutions of learning, which paints a picture of a paradise on Earth. When Sade and Femi learn that they will be relocating to England, they believe it is a place of freedom, opportunities, and peace. When Sade and Femi arrive in England, they realize that immigrants are not free. In addition, black people are discriminated against in all sectors of the economy. Therefore, Sade and Femi are frustrated because they consider England the worst place to live, and they look forward to the day they will return to Nigeria.

What is the symbolic meaning of the color yellow in the novel?

The yellow color is a symbol of optimism. The first gifts Sade and Femi receive from their uncle in the UK are yellow jackets. The uncle tells Sade and Femi that the jackets' color shows they are resilient and determined to defeat the obstacles ahead. The uncle knows that England is not welcoming to immigrants, and he psychologically prepares the children to be bold and face any obstacle that comes their way with courage. True to their uncle's prediction, Sade and Femi go through tough times, but they become hopeful and energized to fight for another day whenever they see a yellow color.

Is racism emerging as one of the main themes in the novel?

One of the biggest challenges immigrants continue to face in England is racism. As illustrated in the novel, racism is practiced in all sectors, including learning institutions, justice systems, and places of work, among others. When Sade and Femi start going to school in England, they face racial discrimination from the white students. Sade feels sad when white students call Femi a monkey. Therefore, racism against minority groups in England is a major theme throughout the text.