"Small Island" Andrea Levy - Essay: Are all misunderstandings in the novel comic?
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Course
Unit 7 - Comment and Appreciation
Institution
CIE
Book
Small Island
This essay is graded A (84%, 21/25) AS Level discussing through misunderstandings which arise pressing issues in Levy's novel such as the abhorrent effects war brings, our humanity and nostalgia for a future not yet experienced, all peppered with humour. This essay offers a wide breadth of knowledg...
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CIE
English - Literature
Unit 7 - Comment and Appreciation
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Explore the view that, in “Small Island” the misunderstandings which arise
are always comic. Remember to include in your answer relevant analysis of
Levy’s authorial methods.
In “Small Island” misunderstandings are constantly arising, be it Hortense
speaking too well in the shops - “do you perchance have three basins I could
purchase?” - to be understood by the English - “You what?” - reversing
prejudices with a comic flurry, or heart breaking ones - Bernard feeling like a
“thief in [his] own house”. In fact, it can be argued ‘Small Island’ is constituted
mainly by misunderstandings, both uplifting and disheartening.
Upon first consideration, Elwood’s crazy plans to success are simply hilarious
once confusion – as to what is occurring – takes over. When Gilbert returns to
Jamaica he goes along with Elwood’s ideas to get money: “No, man – tending
bees.” But then watches as “the angry bees, amassing to a black smoke, trailed
the bucking mule.” All Gilbert can do after witnessing this mishap of the bees
escaping and enveloping their other investment is to laugh: “What else could I
do?... when Elwood called this event a little setback.” This misunderstanding
between Elwood and the significance of all their money’s investment flying
away is extremely comical. Levy emphasises the degree of how misunderstood
Elwood is by calling it a “little setback.” On the other hand, we realise how the
description “amassing to a black smoke” could represent Gilbert’s desperation
at where his dreams and means of achieving them have gone (up in smoke)
and the verb “amassing” show it all amounts to nothing, all his hard work in
the RAF and slaving away with the bees have added up to nothing both in
Jamaica and England. Although Elwood with his silly plans and great words are
always light relief to the reader and Gilbert, we realise Gilbert remembers
these anecdotes whenever he has had an acute disappointment or is in a time
of trouble. This tinges the memory with a nostalgic and harrowing edge for
Gilbert, hence the misunderstanding however comic is denoted with a cost to
Gilbert. It also serves as a reminder that he lives in a different world to Elwood
and one that nostalgically he can never return to.
In Levy’s novel there is an event that is somewhat a misunderstanding which
most certainly is not comic – Arthur getting caught in the crossfire between the
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