Small Island 237-345

McKenzie Maddox, Tania Montalvo, Jordan Bronson

Queenie's Relationships
This section opens up with Queenie's guilt about Bernard joining the RAF.  She reflects on her relationship with Bernard, which is interesting as it seems she only likes him when he isn't there.
"I'll never get pregnant now," (238). This quote depicts her worrisome personality.
-Is this guilt more self-invested for Queenie than compassion towards Bernard?

Queenie describes Arthur as well and depicts him as a "human apostrophe," (238), because "there is something precious that had gone astray," (238), and Queenie is very judgmental without considering his reasoning for why he doesn't talk to her much.

Similarly, we see her thoughts on Michael Roberts.  She has an affair with him and she says that she saw herself losing control of her life on page 243.  She is very concerned about how he sees her and views her, which is interesting as we wonder why she is so caught up with him.
Queenie keeps thinking about if her dress is too short or tight, and is scared that Michael Roberts is watching her critically.  This affair once again shows Queenie acting selfishly.
She brings up the juxtaposition of her "pyjama husband," (249), compared to the wild Michael Roberts, which might show her motivation in having an affair.
The connection between Hortense, Queenie, Michael Roberts, Gilbert, and Arthur is interesting, as Arthur confuses Michael Roberts for Gilbert, which is ironic as Michael Roberts was Hortenses's first love interest, but now she is married to Gilbert.

We knew Queenie's house was destroyed by German bombs, and again we learn Queenie is bombed on the train. This is noteworthy as Arthur finally speaks to her, "I would die if anything happened to you," (254).
-Is it significant she sees resemblance between Bernard and Arthur?

Gilbert's Conflict with Race
The prejudice in Britain is still prevalent and Gilbert struggles with this.  He is often treated as an animal and people assume he is a thief and beat him up,
"And at that moment I longed to be once more in Jamaica.  I yearned for a home as a drunk man for whiskey.  For only there could I be sure that someone looking on my face for the first time would regard it without reaction," (260)
While all the characters seem slightly naive about their misconceptions regarding race, this is especially sad, as Gilbert hoped for a more promising job, and does not want to be thought of as a driver forever.
Queenie is naive in thinking that it is socially acceptable to house immigrants in British society.
Hortense has naive expectations about what life will be like upon arriving in her new prestigious home.
Gilbert is especially sad and offended when Hortense is cleaning the house on her hands and knees, as he does not want her to be seen as an animal (since people seem to view him as such).
Similarly, Gilbert was frustrated with Hortense and the way he is being treated, so when a lady on the street offers him a piece of a candy.  The "human tenderness," touched him and he became "hungry for the good in people," (270).  This realization leads him to go back to Hortense and claim, "not everything the English do is good," (271).

Additionally, Hortense realizes life is really different than what she imagined.  It is especially shocking to see the supermarket scene where Hortense sees other people with a wide array of hair and skin colors yet still be considered "British." However her specific skin and hair that accompany a certain ethnicity are socially undesirable. while similar hair and skin colors that accompany a British person are accepted.  

Bernard's Return
Bernard comes back after 5 years away.
-What will his reaction be to having immigrants living in their home? How will Queenie act differently knowing that he is around (knowing that she fainted upon seeing him).
Bernard's experience in war is depicted.  We learn he is "naive to war," and "expected war to be polite,"(288).  He becomes close with Maxi, who teaches him helpful ways to survive.  The war is declared over when Japan surrenders, yet Bernard's troop is not sent home first, and they go Calcutta.  Here they fight other religious groups and joke about not being able to find any differences between Muslims and Hindus, which is offensive.
We learn Bernard had an affair, which leaves him with syphilis.
-How do you think Queenie will take this news, knowing she is also guilty of cheating on the marriage as well, along with her worrying personality?  Regardless, it seems like she is more invested in the marriage for selfish reasons.