Lonely Londoners

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In addition to the use of contrast and imagery and diction, the sexual episodes amongst “the boys” allows the narrator to portray how the summer affects London’s society. In the summer, “the boys” experienced many sexual episodes with the White women in London. For “the boys”, this is a form of liberation. Although these women are just looking to fulfill a fantasy, the sexual episodes are a way for “the boys” to takeover London’s society. The summer time makes “the boys” feel liberated, powerful, and in control in the migrant space that is London. On page 103, the narrator discusses Moses’ encounter with an English woman. While she is at Moses’ home, she begins to go crazy, falling to the floor and screaming for her mother. Moses quickly gets rid of her, afraid she is going to die on his hands. He knew that if anything happened to the White woman while she was with him, the police would give him no mercy. This represents the realization that although “the boys” are liberated in the summer, their race will always keep them from being fully accepted and respected in London.

The contrast, figurative language, and sexual episodes used in the stream of consciousness passage lets the narrator represent the happiness that is brought on by the summer. “The boys” change in attitudes, emotions, and behavior is proven to be based on the change in seasons, shown from the examples given. The summer is a time full of bliss, enjoyment, and pleasure because it allows them to reminisce of home. However, the winter will always bring them back to the reality of being in a migrant space. While the winter is an unhappy, gloomy, and harsh time for “the boys”, the summer is the only way they can cope with their dislocation.