Small Island by Andrea Levy Book Analysis

Since Britain during World War II still had colonial rule over multiple countries, there was an increase of Jamaican people coming to the mainland to fight for Britain. Although the Jamaicans were not born in Great Britain, they were given citizenship to the country since their country is technically an extension of their own. Some native-born citizens did not take to kindly to the increase of “common citizens” since they are not British and received citizenship too easily. Although most people may view nationality as a place of birth, being British is to be part of a community of people brought together by the nation of Britain. 

Throughout the novel Small Island written by Andrea Levy, the reader is introduced to the character Gilbert, a man born in Jamaica during British rule. Although his years of youth were not fully explored, he had some form of education and is a working-class citizen of Jamaica. Gilbert becomes bored of his way of living and wants to live a more adventurous life possibly outside of Jamaica. Then, since Britain needed soldiers during World War II, there were advertisements and recruiters in Jamaica to help bring in some more soldiers. The British used rhetoric like “Help fight for the mother country!” to help bring in recruits. After Gilbert saw an opportunity to join the Royal Air Force to help fight for his motherland, he joined immediately. Soon after he signed up, he was shipped off to the mainland where he was granted citizenship. Now Gilbert felt like he was now a British man since he is now risking his life for Britain. In Britain, Gilbert is quick to see that racism towards black people is still a raging issue and is confused about the way he is treated. Although other native-born citizens to Britain did not see Gilbert as British because of his skin color, he holds the same right to the title of being British. 

The novel switches to a period after the conclusion of World War II (1948). During then the reader still sees Gilbert struggle to find himself treated the same among the other British people, even though he put his life on the line for the country. A specific example relating to this is when Gilbert was searching for a job since he was no longer in the RAF. He was turned down at every job because of his race, at one point one of the employers dragged him along to just say no because he did not want to disrespect someone who served in the military. For those who turn Gilbert away from jobs, being British is about fitting in with their status quo. Which that status quo is rooted in racist and xenophobic ideologies. This mentality of most native-born British people causes a divide among those who came from Jamaica and themselves. 

Although most native-born citizens seem to have a different model of who is British, one character by the name of Queenie opposes the bigoted view. Near the beginning of the novel, the reader learns about Queenie’s upbringing as a butcher’s daughter. Queenie’s family was described as the low-middle class as they were not able to bring in a lot of money. Because of their economic hardship, Queenie had to pick up multiple tasks around the house and farm at a young age to keep the family upright. During the events of World War II, Queenie helps her neighbors, even when her own house was bombed. Soon Queenie’s husband Bernard decides to join the war effort and leaves Queenie and his father together. To fill her time, Queenie gets a job at the local war relief office to try to help those who need it. These actions by Queenie are proving that being British is about keeping your community together. Because of her upbringing, Queenie is seen to be a progressive character for her time. 

We see this progressiveness carry into the story when the time shifts to 1948. Queenie at this point has lost her father-in-law and Bernard has not returned from the war. Although, at her house, she has rooms rented out to others. One of the people that live in Queenie’s house is Gilbert. Although Gilbert is from Jamaica, Queenie does not mind housing those that are deemed “colored” by most other native-born citizens. She even goes out shopping with Gilbert’s wife (who is also from Jamaica), Hortense, and tells her, “I’m not worried about what busybodies say. I don’t mind being seen in the street with you” (Levy 272). This is Queenie believing that Hortense is a British person and not treating her like others would. 

Similarly, with Gilbert, Hortense experiences similar attitudes from native-born citizens when she is in Britain. Hortense who gains British citizenship is treated as if she does not belong. The most obvious examples of this are when throughout the novel, people will act as if they cannot understand what she is saying. Even though Hortense learned perfect English during her time in secondary education. These native-born citizens act as if Hortense is not British just because she does not fit the status quo. 

Throughout the novel, we see two views of being British, but the title of being British is not just limited to those who are born within the borders. The experiences of Gilbert and Hortense show that although they are not born in Britain, they have just as much of a right to claim they are due to their belonging to the community.