In The Lonely Londoners by Samuel Selvon, Moses and Henry Oliver fight to overcome the discrimination they face due to prejudice in London against immigrants. As insidious as the notoriously overt racism of the American South, London's covert racism influences Moses' critical view of London and forces Henry Oliver to reckon with the flaws of his new city. Through sly allusions, Samuel Selvon's The Lonely Londoners anchors Moses' characterization to biblical history and Henry Oliver's characterization to Arthurian legend. As a result, the novel serves as a poignant illustration of how the oppressive environment of 1950s London affects the lives of Moses and Henry Oliver. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Like his biblical counterpart, Moses' selflessness and authoritative voice contribute to his characterization as a caretaker. According to the Hebrew Bible, Moses valiantly led the exodus of the Israelites from 400 years of slavery in Egypt across the Red Sea to Mount Sinai where he received the Ten Commandments from God. Likewise, Selvon's Moses leads immigrants who fled economic slavery in the West Indies for the Motherland. In this particular tale, “it's the same soft heart that has [Moses] now on the bus to Waterloo to meet a guy called Henry Oliver. He doesn't know how he always manages to put himself in a position like that, to help people” (25). Selvon's Moses expresses reluctance similar to that felt by the biblical Moses when God invited him through the burning bush to lead the Israelites. Despite his reluctance, Selvon's Moses helps all the young people who turn to him. He does not claim to follow God's will as the biblical Moses does. Indeed, Selvon highlights the virtue of his Moses by presenting a “tender heart” or morality as incentive rather than divine intervention. Moses' altruism comes directly from his experience with racism in London, which he exposes in the following dialogue. Just as Moses in the Bible serves as the authoritative voice for God's Word to His followers, Moses in The Lonely Londoners serves as the authoritative voice for a critique. of racism in London for his fellow immigrants. By aligning Moses with his biblical namesake, Selvon establishes Moses' responsibility and builds on our preconceived notions of the Moses archetype to create a sagacious character. In particular, Moses' wisdom emerges in his conversations with Henry Oliver. After Moses picks up Henry Oliver from Waterloo, Henry bombards him with questions about London. Moses warns him to “take it easy…you'll find out for yourself before long” (Selvon 36). Moses emphasizes learning through experience, which implies that he knows more about London as he has lived there longer. He stands out as an authority in London and uses his license to speak openly about London's racial tensions. At one point, Moses differentiates covert racism in London from overt racism in America. He explains: "'In America they don't like you and they tell you openly, so you know how you are... In America you see a sign telling you to stay away, but here you don't see any... they will politely tell you to drag, otherwise they will give you the cold treatment.'” (40) Moses describes the Americans' frank racism as preferable to the passive aggression of London, this explanation is contrary to the perpetuated falsehood that Britain was socially America's most progressive due to its relatively early abolition of the slave trade in 1807 and slavery as a whole in 1833 (The NationalArchives). Like Henry, American readers may be skeptical of Moses' explanation and wonder whether this covert racism is actually more harmful than overt racism. Regardless of the individual conclusion, Moses' statement demonstrates London's negative impact on him. In doing so, Moses serves as an expert guide for both Henry Oliver and readers through London's racial landscape. While Moses' characterization illustrates the consequences of systemic discrimination, Henry Oliver's character development in The Lonely Londoners shows the process by which London's hostile environment diminishes immigrants. ' moral. After meeting Henry Oliver, Moses nicknames him “Sir Galahad” (Selvon 35). In Arthurian legend, Sir Galahad was the son of Lancelot and was known as "the purest and noblest knight of King Arthur's court" (Currin). The idea of ​​knighthood alone alludes to the chivalric principles of the Middle Ages, and so Henry's association with the highest representation of these ideals invites readers to infer its meaning. From Moses' perspective, this ironic nickname highlights Henry's recklessness rather than his courage. He sees Henry as "the kind of person who never likes people to think that they are not used to anything, or that they are strangers in a place, or that they don't know where they are going" (38). In other words, Henry's enthusiasm strikes Moses as arrogance given his ignorance of the social complexities of London. On the other hand, Henry bears some resemblance to Sir Galahad when he tells Moses, "'I know you mean well in telling me all these things, but Father, I want to find out for myself'" (41). Although brash, Henry's tenacity shows his courageous desire for adventure. Like an Arthurian knight, Henry refuses to let the odds discourage him. Once Henry Oliver ventures into London, his courage fades. Subsequently, the cultural significance of Sir Galahad provides a significant contrast to Henry's character. In an attempt to secure a job, Henry finds himself overwhelmed by this foreign environment. Around him, Henry saw “a kind of fog hovering… the sun was shining, but Galanon had never seen the sun as it is now. It doesn't give off heat, it's right there in the sky like a forcefully ripe orange. When he looks up, the color of the sky is so desolate that it scares him more” (Selvon 42). The inclusion of “Galahad” here instead of Henry's real name further establishes how Henry's fear is the exact antithesis of Sir Galahad's legacy (42). However, Selvon seems to justify Henry's cowardice by describing the hostility of the atmosphere. It places the reader in Henry's consciousness so that he can better understand the malevolent and deterministic forces at work against him. Thankfully, Moses appears to save Henry, who is "so relieved to see Moses that he puts his hands on his shoulders as if they were old friends" (43). This chance meeting serves two purposes. First, it recalls Moses' alignment with the biblical Moses as guardian, and second, it shows Henry's newfound gratitude for Moses' experience. While Henry Oliver may not display Arthurian courage, his hearty acceptance of Moses' guidance after this case demonstrates his chivalrous nature. All in all, Henry's interaction with London's antagonism transforms him into a more receptive pupil to Moses' tutelage. By age and temperament alone, Moses and Henry Oliver clash with each other, creating a conflict that pushes The Lonely Londoners forward. Moses' incarnation of his namesake compared to Henry's more ironic association with Sir Galahad strengthens their characterizations and highlights their differences. Their different characterizations allow the reader to observe.