Key Small Island Quotes Flashcards
Bernard and the war?
“The war was fought so people might live amongst their own kind.”
Gilbert and the war? (Two quotes)
“We both just finish fighting a war - a bloody war - for the better world we want to see.”
“Arthur Bligh had become another casualty of war - but come, tell me someone… which war?”
Hortense and race?
“With such a countenance, there was a chance of a golden life for I.”
Prejudice about immigrants? (Mr Todd)
“For the teeth and glasses… That National Health service - it’s pulling them in.”
Elwood on race and colour?
“They turn down your brother when him colour no suit them and now that them change their mind.”
Queenie and Hortense on baby Michael? (Two)
“You might think you can do it now… But what about when he grows up?”
“Remembered taste of salt tears.”
Gilbert on race?
“Anthropoid…. resembling a human but primitive, like an ape.”
Hortense on travelling?
“A single woman cannot travel on her own.”
Queenie on marriage? (Two)
“No… I’m getting married Mother, to Bernard Bligh.”
“If I didn’t partake fully… I would never get pregnant.”
Bernard on marriage?
“I don’t want my wife to go out to work.”
Gilbert and changing perspective on marriage (two quotes)?
“Proud haughty… even insufferable.” —–>
“A teacher you still will be.”
Hortense and changing perspective on marriage (two quotes)?
“This? Just this?” —>
“I realised that Gilbert Joseph, my husband, was a man of class, a man of character, a man of intelligence.”
Portrayal of the mother country? (Two)
=> Mother is a beautiful woman… many valorous stories told of her.”
=> “This stinking cantankerous hag. She offers you no comfort after your journey. No smile. No welcome.”
Hortense and teaching?
“You can’t teach here.”
Expectations of Britain? (Two)
“It looks to all the world like a fairytale castle.”
“Every leaf on every tree turns first red and then golden.. Pavements with a blanket of gold.. Leaves that float around them like golden rain.”
