Let them Call It Jazz
Xavier Ng (34)
3.14
Story : Let Them Call It Jazz
Topic : Racial discrimination
The story 'Let Them Call It Jazz' is written by Jean Rhys and it talks about Selina, a dark skinned, young woman who has no money, no home and no idea of what to do next in her life. She came to England with the intent of becoming a seamstress at a shop in London, but has had no luck getting hired. Instead she finds herself kicked out of the bedsit she rents weekly and learns that her life savings has been stolen. Jean Rhys has used specific characterization techniques to convey certain attitudes toward racial oppression. Her narration and dialogue, her personality and the other character’s reaction to her are integral in communicating the racism message in the story to the reader. Jean Rhys was influenced by her own experience with the whites and wanted to speak out about the racist acts by the people of England.
The other character's reaction is shown when she moved into a new flat, she was disliked instantly and was told by her neighbors "Must you stay? Can't you go?" this shows that the people of that age then disliked people who were not white and did not treat them properly. Her previous land lady, not only stole Selina's money, but also lied to the police when Selina reported that her money was stolen, saying "She certainly had no money when she came here, She able to pay a month's rent in advance for her room". This caused Selina to leave the flat to find another one. Racism through the reaction of other characters is further shown when Selina was singing on her own and the neighbors disliked it. They called the police and when she was being told off my the police," You can't make that noise here. Get along home. You've been drinking.", the woman who had called the police was "looking at me and smiling" and the "other people at their windows" this proves that racism was dominant during that time.
3.14
Story : Let Them Call It Jazz
Topic : Racial discrimination
The story 'Let Them Call It Jazz' is written by Jean Rhys and it talks about Selina, a dark skinned, young woman who has no money, no home and no idea of what to do next in her life. She came to England with the intent of becoming a seamstress at a shop in London, but has had no luck getting hired. Instead she finds herself kicked out of the bedsit she rents weekly and learns that her life savings has been stolen. Jean Rhys has used specific characterization techniques to convey certain attitudes toward racial oppression. Her narration and dialogue, her personality and the other character’s reaction to her are integral in communicating the racism message in the story to the reader. Jean Rhys was influenced by her own experience with the whites and wanted to speak out about the racist acts by the people of England.
The other character's reaction is shown when she moved into a new flat, she was disliked instantly and was told by her neighbors "Must you stay? Can't you go?" this shows that the people of that age then disliked people who were not white and did not treat them properly. Her previous land lady, not only stole Selina's money, but also lied to the police when Selina reported that her money was stolen, saying "She certainly had no money when she came here, She able to pay a month's rent in advance for her room". This caused Selina to leave the flat to find another one. Racism through the reaction of other characters is further shown when Selina was singing on her own and the neighbors disliked it. They called the police and when she was being told off my the police," You can't make that noise here. Get along home. You've been drinking.", the woman who had called the police was "looking at me and smiling" and the "other people at their windows" this proves that racism was dominant during that time.