The New Tribe Flashcards
Ginny Arlington
- The mother of Chester and Julia Arlington
- wife of Arthur Arlington
Characteristics
• she is very kind and calm
• She is loving: She loves her adoptive children.
• She is compassionate.
Arthur Arlington
- The reverend at the small town of St. Simon.
- Husband of Ginny Arlington
- Father of Chester and Julia Arlington
Characteristics
• Arthur is emotionally strong, dependable and solid but very supportive.
• His always writing note’s for reverends.
•He is gentle and seldom loses his temper.
•He is generous and loving.
Julia Arlington
- Adopted by Ginny and Arthur Arlington
- she was found at a phone booth inside a Tesco shopping bag after being a few hours born
- she was named Julia after julian, the paper boy who found her.
Characteristics
• Defensive towards anyone moks his brother.
• she became very introverted after the found out that she was adopted.
• She is a sensitive child who loves her family very much.
• takes charge when her mother is overwhelmed.
Chester Arlington
- He is Nigerian.
- His real mother is Catherine Mba.
- He is teased and called king of the devils or orient
Characteristics
• He is sensitive about the colour of his skin / being the only black person in the community.
• He is a dreamer.
• He is assertive about his identity and independence at the end.
Catherine Mba
- Chester’s mother specifically ask that Chester would be adopted by the Arlingtons after following Julia’s progress in the press.
- She was expecting twins and the father was not ready to accept another man’s child.
Extra characters
- Victoria and Robert- Ginny’s friends from Australia
- Miss slattery - Chester’s Sunday school teacher
- Ray miller - Chester’s best friend
- Mrs miller- the school dinner lady
- Pamela - Julia’s best friend
Title
‘The New Tribe’ suggests that the old tribal system is changing. There is a move to a more global sense of identity, a ‘tribe’ that has mixed race (black and white). The story explores how this identity is discovered, adapted to and made peace with.
Themes
- Racial Integration
The Arlingtons and the community of St Simon adapt to having the only black child living with them. Chester learns to accept that he is different (black) and how to cope with being of a different race. - Mixed race families
The Arlingtons have two adopted children, one of whom is black, and they must learn how to deal with their son, Chester’s cultural and racial difference to them. - Adoption
The process of adoption is a long and difficult one. There is always a concern that the biological parent may come to reclaim the child. Mrs Arlington is always worried that the biological parents of her adopted children might come and reclaim their children. - Insecurities
When Chester and Julia are told they are adopted, both
become insecure. (Chester escapes into his dream world
while Julia becomes introverted ‘stares into space’).
Setting
Modern day England. Small, White, conservative and religious community of St Simon.
Structure and plot development
•Exposition
The Arlingtons adopt two children. Chester is black and Julia is white. Julia is very protective of her brother Chester.
•Rising Action
Chester gradually becomes aware that he is different. He realises that he is the only black child when he goes to school for the first time. When he cries the principal calls him a ‘little devil’ and his sister, Julia protects him. Chester is given the role of the king in the Christmas play. He is told that the king is ‘King of the Orient’. Chester later learns that he is originally from East Africa, hence the colour of his skin.
•Climax
Chester refuses to be the king in the annual Christmas play because he is made fun of and he is aware that he is different. He is teased as being ‘King of the devils.’ His mother, Ginny is disappointed because she is proud to see her son on the stage. Chester decides to ask Arthur Arlington who his real/biological parents are. Arthur tells Julia and Chester that they were both adopted. Julia and Chester become introverts.
•Resolution
When Chester is allowed not to be the king in the play, he tries to make it up to his parents by making Ginny an elaborate Christmas card and giving her a pretty diary with a cover of roses and violets. They make peace. He also realises that his father is the emotionally stronger parent (Rock of Gibraltar).
Diction and figurative language
PERSONIFICATION:
‘The room was frozen into silence’. (page 168) The room is not silent. The peo- ple in the room are silent. This emphasizes the shock the Arlingtons feel when realizing that the baby will be a black child.
SIMILE:
•‘She clapped half-heartedly, wilting like a dying rose petal.’ (Page 179) Ginny is being compared to a dying rose petal. This suggests her lack of enthusiasm because Chester is not a king. It is as if she has no energy and is fragile just as a dying rose petal has no energy to live.
•‘…like a good strong tree…’ (Page 170): The love and protection that
the Arlingtons showed to Julia and Chester is compared to a shade that a strong tree, provides.
•‘It was like opening an oven.’ (Page 171): The high and unbearable noise at the Millers is compared to the heat from the oven which is high and unbearable.
METAPHOR:
‘Rock of Gibraltar’ (page 180) Chester compares his dad, Arthur, to the Rock of Gibraltar. This suggests that Arthur is emotionally strong and someone safe and dependable.
Tone and Mood
Tone:
• Joyful tone: There is joy when the children arrive into the family.
• Matter-of-fact tone: Arthur uses this tone when he tells the children
about their backgrounds.
• Commanding tone: Arthur uses this tone when he punishes Chester for
laughing at Julia.
• An apologetic tone: Chester uses this tone at the end when he gives
Ginny her Christmas gift.
Mood:
• Alienation, fear of rejection
• tension and frustration
