Small Island: Chapter 14: Gilbert Summary & Analysis

After training, Gilbert’s regiment is dispersed throughout the country. With other British volunteers, Gilbert works as a driver and coal shifter, transferring coal from trains to army bases. One day, an officer orders him to drive to a nearby American base and retrieve some British shock absorbers which had mistakenly been delivered there and which the Americans refused to deliver themselves. However, when Gilbert presents himself at the base, the American officers retreat into their office, where he hears them say that since he’s black, they can’t send him into the base to collect the items. The officer says that the British sergeant sent a black soldier on purpose, just to annoy him.

When the officers emerge, Gilbert politely pretends not to have heard anything. The officer won’t let him go to the mess, but brings him something to eat. Then he dismisses Gilbert, telling him that, due to a mix-up, the parts are already on their way to the British base. Gilbert understands that his own officer sent him on this errand because doing so would force the Americans to deliver the parts themselves, rather than allowing a black man on the base.

Driving back to the base, Gilbert sees two African-American GIs—the first black people he’s seen in some time—and offers them a ride. They’re astounded that he’s a British subject, having never even heard of the Caribbean. The Americans, Levi and Jon, are on their first leave in months, and have dates set up with two women from Lincoln. However, they have to meet the women in Nottingham because Lincoln is reserved for white GIs until the next week. Levi and Jon can’t go there without risking trouble from white soldiers.

Gilbert is astounded that the American army has taken segregation this far, and asks his passengers if it makes them angry. However, Levi and Jon say calmly that it’s the only way of life they’ve ever known. Anyway, life as a soldier is much freer than American society; at home, neither of them had ever spoken to a white person before, but here, they’re dating two white women. However, Levi is shocked when Gilbert tells them he shares a room with seven white men, asking how he can sleep with them around.