In Samuel Selvon's The Lonely Londoners, Moses and Henry Oliver fight to overcome the discrimination they suffer due to prejudice in London toward immigrants . As insidious as the overt and notorious racism of the American South, the covert racism of London influences Moses' critical view of London and forces Henry Oliver to accept the flaws of his new city. Through clever allusions, Samuel Selvon's The Lonely Londoners grounds the characterization of Moses in biblical history and the characterization of Henry Oliver in Arthurian legend. Therefore, the novel constructs a poignant illustration of how the oppressive environment of 1950s London affects the lives of Moses and Henry Oliver. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”?Get the original essayLike his biblical counterpart, Moses' selflessness and authoritative voice contribute to his characterization as a guardian. According to the Hebrew Bible, Moses valiantly led the exodus of the Israelites from 400 years of slavery in Egypt across the Red Sea to Mount Sinai where he received the Ten Commandments from God. Likewise, Selvon's Moses leads immigrants who escaped economic slavery from the West Indies to the motherland. In this particular account, “it is the same tender heart that has [Moses] now on the bus to Waterloo to meet a man named Henry Oliver. He doesn’t know how he always finds himself in a position like this, helping people” (25). Selvon's Moses expresses a reluctance similar to that felt by the biblical Moses when God called him through the burning bush to lead the Israelites. Despite his reluctance, Moses de Selvon helps all the young men who come to him. He does not claim to follow the will of God as the biblical Moses does. Indeed, Selvon highlights Moses' virtue by presenting a "tender heart" or morality as his incentive rather than divine intervention. Moses' selflessness stems directly from his experience of racism in London, which he expounds on in a later dialogue. Just as Moses in the Bible serves as an authoritative voice for God's Word to his disciples, Moses in The Lonely Londoners serves as an authoritative voice for criticism. of racism in London for his fellow immigrants. By aligning Moses with his biblical namesake, Selvon establishes Moses' responsibility and draws on our preconceived notions of the Moses archetype to create a sagacious character. In particular, Moses' wisdom emerges from his conversations with Henry Oliver. After Moses picks up Henry Oliver from Waterloo, Henry bombards Moses with questions about London. Moses warns him: “'relax...you will find out for yourself before long'” (Selvon 36). Moses emphasizes learning through experience, implying that he knows more about London since he has lived there longer. He stands out as an authority in London and uses his license to speak frankly about racial tensions in London. At one point, Moses differentiates between covert racism in London and overt racism in America. He explains: "In America they don't like you, and they tell you that clearly, so you know where you stand... In America you see a sign telling you not to move, but here you don't see. any… they will politely tell you to transport – or else give you the cold treatment” (40). Moses describes America's outspoken racism as preferable to London's passive aggression. For American readers like me, this explanation flies in the face of the perpetual lie thatBritain was more socially progressive than America due to its relatively early abolition of the slave trade in 1807 and slavery as a whole in 1833 (National Archives). Like Henry, American readers may be skeptical of Moses' explanation and wonder whether this disguised racism is in fact more harmful than overt racism. Whatever the individual conclusion, Moses' statement demonstrates London's negative impact on him. Thus, Moses acts as a knowledgeable guide for both Henry Oliver and readers through the racial landscape of London. While Moses' characterization illustrates the consequences of systemic discrimination, Henry Oliver's character development in The Lonely Londoners shows the process by which London's hostile environment diminishes immigrants. ' morale. After meeting Henry Oliver, Moses nicknames him “Sir Galahad” (Selvon 35). In Arthurian legend, Sir Galahad was the son of Lancelot and was known as "the purest and noblest knight in King Arthur's court" (Currin). The idea of ​​chivalry alone alludes to the principles of chivalry of the Middle Ages, and so Henry's association with the highest representation of these ideals invites readers to infer its meaning. From Moses' point of view, this ironic nickname highlights Henry's recklessness rather than his bravery. He considers Henry "the kind of guy who never likes people to think they're not used to anything, or that they're strangers in a place, or that they don't know where they go” (38). In other words, Henry's eagerness appears to Moses as arrogance given his ignorance of the societal complexities of London. On the other hand, Henry is somewhat like Sir Galahad when he says to Moses, "'I know you're willing to tell me all these things, but Dad, I want to find out for myself'" (41). . Although impetuous, Henry's perseverance shows his valiant desire for adventure. Like an Arthurian knight, Henry refuses to be discouraged by chance. Once Henry Oliver ventures into London, his courage dissipates. Subsequently, Sir Galahad's cultural importance provides a stark contrast to Henry's character. On his way to finding a job, Henry finds himself overwhelmed by this foreign environment. Around him, Henry saw “a kind of fog hovering…the sun was shining, but Galahad had never seen the sun as it is now. No heat comes off it, it just sits there in the sky like a force-ripened orange. When he looks up, the color of the sky so desolate that it frightens him even more” (Selvon 42). The insertion here of "Galahad" rather than Henry's actual name further demonstrates how Henry's fear is the exact antithesis of Sir Galahad's legacy (42). Nevertheless, Selvon seems to justify Henry's cowardice by describing the hostility of the atmosphere. It places the reader inside Henry's consciousness so that they can better understand the malevolent and deterministic forces at work against him. Fortunately, Moses appears to save Henry, who is “so relieved to see Moses that he places his hands on his shoulders as if they were old friends” (43). These chance reunions serve two purposes. First, it recalls Moses' alignment with the biblical Moses as guardian, and second, it shows Henry's new gratitude for Moses' experience. Although Henry Oliver may not display Arthurian bravery, his cordial acceptance of Moses' advice after this instance demonstrates his chivalrous nature. Overall, Henry's interaction with London's antagonism makes him a more receptive student to Moses' tutelage. Just by their age and..