Small Island Characters

Hortense Joseph

Has high expectations of England and Gilbert: "Just this? This is where you are living?".
Wary of Queenie and her generosity.
Confused as to her treatment in England: "Still this taxi driver did not understand me".
Attempts to raise her standing in the class order by using proper pronunciation. Still no one understands her.
Lives with Michael Roberts and her uncle, Philip Roberts. Develops feelings for Michael.
Teacher-training college in Kingston. Becomes best friends with Celia Langely.
Give Gilbert Joseph money for passage to England. Marries him so that she can follow him there.
Told she cannot teach in England.
'Adopts' Queenie's baby boy, Michael and leaves with Gilbert.

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Independent woman.
Marries Bernard for convenience, so that she doesn't have to go back to work on family farm.
Doesn't agree with discrimination after incident when younger. Met "black man... carved from melting chocolate" and shook hands with man.
Cautious of Hortense when she knocks on her door.
Known Gilbert since the beginning of the war.
Being escorted to cinema by Gilbert when Arthur (father-in-law) is shot. Doesn't agree with discrimination inside cinema.
Gives Gilbert a place to live after the war.
Lived with Auntie Dorothy to become a 'lady'. Courted by Bernard. Dorothy dies. Marries Bernard.
Takes in three lodgers during war, including Michael Roberts. Has affair with Michael.
Gives birth to black baby (Michael's). Gives him to Hortense and Gilbert.

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Genuine character. Not affraid of discrimination, just what it will do to those he loves.
Develops feelings for Hortense, but doesn't want to tell her.
Takes money from Hortense for passage to England in exchange for marriage and place to live.
Joins British Royal Air Force. Faces discrimination from American officers.
Sent to US base. faces extreme discrimination. Picks-up two American black GI's but faces no discrimination, even though they are American.
Meets Queenie and Arthur Bligh. Cinema Incident and fight on the street. Blames himself for Arthur's death.
Returns to Queenie after war for place to live.
'Adopts' baby Michael and leaves with Hortense.

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A bit slow, never really done anything exciting with his life. Fairly racist.
Feelings for Queenie have dwindled since they got married.
Volunteers for RAF and is assigned to India.
Given Position as an Erk (ground crew) and becomes friends with Maxi.
War ends and the Japanese surrender as well.
Bernard deserts his post and loses weapon when fire breaks out in his basha after a 'meeting'. Maxi dies.
Sent to jail for deserting post and losing rifle.
Returns to England and lives in Brighton (for Maxi) for two years before returning to Queenie.
Unhapppy with Queenie that she has Black lodgers and that she failed to tell him of Arthur's death.
Doens't get on with Gilbert, especially when Queenie has black baby. Thinks they had an affair. Reluctantly agrees with Queenie's decision to Give up baby.

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