Leiden University College
Black British Literature
Reading Response on The Lonely Londoners and Small Island
Comparing Galahad and Hortense
"I can tell you I've been to America and it is not at all what is advertised!" I feel that many
immigrants of color throughout time that moved to predominantly white countries with the purpose of a
better life and opportunities have felt similar sentiments to Kelso's. I find this also true in the characters of
The Lonely Londoners and Small Island, feeling disillusioned by what they experience in England and
what they have been taught their entire lives in the former colonies.
Both novels begin (excluding the prologue in Small Island) with Jamaican characters that have
just stepped onto England with optimism and hope for a better life. In Galahad's case, he is so optimistic
that he has no luggage, only the nice suit he's wearing, not minding the chilly weather, believing that he
will buy all that he needs as soon as he starts making money (as if it's that easy). Similarly, Hortense
believes that Gilbert would live in a big house, with a big kitchen, with well-mannered English neighbors.
Both are unaware of the reality in England, their 'naivety' resulting from optimism and the other
from misconstrued pride/admiration from her white genetics. Either way, both believe that England is
prosperous (even after the war), has a better lifestyle, better manners, morals, etc. A shining city or
paradise taught to them from a British perspective of (claimed) superiority. After all, They only ever
learned about the UK and its greatness in school instead of Jamaica or their heritage.
However, Galahad faces difficulty from the start by failing to navigate the identical streets of
London, and getting a job with good pay isn't as easy either. Likewise, Hortense is shocked by the poor
manners and way Queenie dresses, being unaware of the class differences in London, thinking the
apartment building owner should be wealthy due to the look of the pillars.
Galahad and Hortense are hence contrasted to Moses and Gilbert, people of color who have
already lived in England for a while and know of the reality of being black in a racist society. They
contrast their expectations of what living in London is like. The third-person narrator adds Moses'
commentary when meeting Galahad, believing him naive. Similarly, Gilbert's monologue right after
Hortense at the beginning (and in general later on) reveals how Hortense's shock of their accommodations
is unfounded as they were lucky enough to even be allowed to rent a place in England as Jamaican.
Moses' story and inner conflicts of having to work harder and Gilbert's lived experiences of racism make
the reader aware of the contrast between the narrative England poses to the world and the treatment of the
people they used to gain their prosperity.
Black British Literature
Reading Response on The Lonely Londoners and Small Island
Comparing Galahad and Hortense
"I can tell you I've been to America and it is not at all what is advertised!" I feel that many
immigrants of color throughout time that moved to predominantly white countries with the purpose of a
better life and opportunities have felt similar sentiments to Kelso's. I find this also true in the characters of
The Lonely Londoners and Small Island, feeling disillusioned by what they experience in England and
what they have been taught their entire lives in the former colonies.
Both novels begin (excluding the prologue in Small Island) with Jamaican characters that have
just stepped onto England with optimism and hope for a better life. In Galahad's case, he is so optimistic
that he has no luggage, only the nice suit he's wearing, not minding the chilly weather, believing that he
will buy all that he needs as soon as he starts making money (as if it's that easy). Similarly, Hortense
believes that Gilbert would live in a big house, with a big kitchen, with well-mannered English neighbors.
Both are unaware of the reality in England, their 'naivety' resulting from optimism and the other
from misconstrued pride/admiration from her white genetics. Either way, both believe that England is
prosperous (even after the war), has a better lifestyle, better manners, morals, etc. A shining city or
paradise taught to them from a British perspective of (claimed) superiority. After all, They only ever
learned about the UK and its greatness in school instead of Jamaica or their heritage.
However, Galahad faces difficulty from the start by failing to navigate the identical streets of
London, and getting a job with good pay isn't as easy either. Likewise, Hortense is shocked by the poor
manners and way Queenie dresses, being unaware of the class differences in London, thinking the
apartment building owner should be wealthy due to the look of the pillars.
Galahad and Hortense are hence contrasted to Moses and Gilbert, people of color who have
already lived in England for a while and know of the reality of being black in a racist society. They
contrast their expectations of what living in London is like. The third-person narrator adds Moses'
commentary when meeting Galahad, believing him naive. Similarly, Gilbert's monologue right after
Hortense at the beginning (and in general later on) reveals how Hortense's shock of their accommodations
is unfounded as they were lucky enough to even be allowed to rent a place in England as Jamaican.
Moses' story and inner conflicts of having to work harder and Gilbert's lived experiences of racism make
the reader aware of the contrast between the narrative England poses to the world and the treatment of the
people they used to gain their prosperity.
