Night Quote by Samuel Selvon
““Is one of those summer evenings, when it look like night would never come, a magnificent evening, a powerful evening, rent finish paying, rations in the cupboard, twenty pounds in the bank, and a nice piece of skin waiting under the big clock in Piccadilly Tube Station. The sky blue, sun shining, the girls ain't have on no coats to hide the legs. "Mummy, look at that black man!" A little child, holding on to the mother hand, look up at Sir Galahad. "You mustn't say that, dear!" The mother chide the child.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Lonely Londoners, Samuel Selvon, 1956
The scene juxtaposes harsh post‑war scarcity with youthful innocence, highlighting social tensions and racial prejudice in 1950s London.
In simple terms: Contrast between poverty and innocence reveals societal tensions.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and challenge everyday prejudice.
Themes
social inequality
racism
post‑war life
Mood
reflective
critical
somber
Type
literary
social commentary
When to use this quote
- public transport
- family interaction
- childhood learning
- racial commentary
Key Concepts
colonialism
urban life
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this scene reflect broader societal attitudes?
- What can be done to address such prejudice?
A Different Perspective
The narrative may oversimplify complex social dynamics.
