The Lonely Londoners: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Lonely Londoners" is a novel that explores the lives of West Indian immigrants in London during the post-war period, focusing on their struggles and experiences in a foreign land. The major characters each represent different facets of the immigrant experience, showcasing the diversity of backgrounds and attitudes among newcomers. Moses Aloetta serves as a central figure, embodying resilience and a strong sense of community, while also grappling with feelings of loneliness and homesickness. Henry Oliver, known as Galahad, contrasts Moses with his brash confidence and romantic pursuits, highlighting the excitement and challenges of adapting to a new culture.
Captain (Cap) represents a more carefree and irresponsible approach to life in London, often relying on the generosity of others, which creates tension with characters like Moses. Tolroy and his aunt, Tanty Bessy, illustrate the complexities of family dynamics and cultural expectations, emphasizing the importance of heritage and familial responsibilities. Other characters, such as Lewis and Bartholomew, further explore themes of jealousy, pretentiousness, and the quest for identity amidst societal prejudice. Together, these characters create a rich tapestry of experiences that reflect the broader themes of survival, identity, and community among West Indian immigrants in mid-20th century London.
The Lonely Londoners: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Samuel Selvon
First published: 1956
Genre: Novel
Locale: London, England
Plot: Comic realism
Time: The mid-1950's
Moses Aloetta, a factory worker on the night shift, a dialect-speaking Trinidadian immigrant who arrives several years before the large influx of West Indians into England. He is softhearted despite himself, generous, and relatively responsible. Newer immigrants often contact him for help in getting settled. Having confronted the problems of racism and low status in securing lodging and employment himself, he is knowing, weary, and tolerant, initiating others in the ways of survival in London but concerned that black people not be seen as social parasites. A wry observer of the passing scene, he has an active sex life but decides never to marry. Often lonely, miserable, homesick, and ambivalent about life in the metropolis, he is sustained, and sustains others, by maintaining close contact with a circle of fellow West Indian exiles for whom he is a natural, though unofficial, leader and father-confessor. Worried about the future and his lack of progress, with a sense of impermanence but little to return to in the Caribbean, he nevertheless preserves his calypsonian sense of humor and essential delight in life.
Henry Oliver, called Galahad, a Trinidadian immigrant befriended by Moses. An electrician at home, he acts brash and overconfident but soon turns to Moses for guidance. Determined to avoid going on the dole, he finds night work in a factory. Arriving in winter wearing only a tropical suit over his pajamas and with only a toothbrush for luggage, he is an eccentric who sweats in the cold and freezes in the summer; he later acquires a large wardrobe and takes elaborate care of his appearance. At first wounded and puzzled by British color prejudice, he is gradually swept along by the excitement of his encounters with English girls and the romance of finally living in a great and famous city.
Captain (Cap), an unemployed Nigerian immigrant and former roommate of Moses, who thinks that Cap gives black people a bad name. Sent to England to study law, Cap spends all of his time and money womanizing and has his allowance canceled. Innocent-faced, ingratiating, irresponsible, and amoral, he refuses to work, preferring to live off his many white girlfriends and other, mainly West Indian, acquaintances. Occasionally having to trap and eat seagulls to get by, he is a cheerful if slightly mad survivor, “doing nothing, having nothing, owing everybody, and yet… living on and on… with women left and right.”
Tolroy, a frugal Jamaican factory worker who saves his money to send for his mother but, to his annoyance and dismay, unexpectedly ends up with five relatives, including Tanty Bessy, who reared him as a child.
Tanty Bessy, Tolroy's aunt, an old Jamaican woman who moves to London with her relatives. Though boisterous, loud-voiced, gossipy, and indiscreet, she is generous and warmhearted. Having cared for many of the children in her extended family, she continues her role of housekeeper and custodian of family values, criticizing black men, including Tolroy, for preferring white women. Unintimidated by her new surroundings, she becomes a well-known personality in her working-class community and teaches a local merchant to grant credit West Indian-style.
Lewis, a Jamaican factory worker married to Tolroy's sister Agnes. Gullible and jealous, he is encouraged by Moses to think that Agnes is unfaithful and beats the innocent woman until she leaves him.
Daniel, a West Indian friend of Moses who enjoys showing that black men can have culture and sophisticated tastes by taking lower-class English girls to concerts and the ballet. Generous and protective of women, he is exploited by Cap.
Bartholomew, a light-skinned Trinidadian clerk who unsuccessfully tries to distance himself from his black compatriots and pass himself off as a South American. Pretentious, penurious, jealous, and insecure, he loses the only white girl he ever had and then searches for her obsessively.
Big City, a Trinidadian with an English wife, no job, and an uncertain source of income.
Five Past Twelve, a very dark Barbadian truck driver and friend of Moses. Fond of drink, marijuana, women, and parties, he delights in acting badly at Harris' functions.
Harris, a well-mannered black Jamaican who organizes dances, knows the socially prominent, and attempts to copy their speech and dress, thus inviting the derision of some of his West Indian acquaintances.