Small Island: Chapter 51: Gilbert Summary & Analysis

Gilbert sees Hortense exit the building; confused and bewildered, she bumps into a large man who yells at her. When he calls to get her attention, she strides in the opposite direction. Trotting behind her, Gilbert asks if she got a job, but Hortense says nothing. He has to grab her just to make her look at him. Hortense asks why he’s poking his nose in her business, and although he’s frustrated at her constant stoniness towards him, he reminds her that she’s his wife, and he has to look after her.

Hortense begins to cry and tells Gilbert she can’t teach. He guides her to a park bench and puts an arm around her. He thinks one of his white RAF buddies, Charlie Denton, who can’t even recall basic details of British history, and has qualified to teach after just a year of training. He feels “righteous pain” on Hortense’s behalf, and he’s angry with the bystanders who stop to stare at her. He doesn’t want anyone to see them beaten down by this hostile country.

Gilbert offers Hortense a handkerchief which she rejects in favor of her own much cleaner one. She admits that she walked into a cupboard, and Gilbert teases her about the gaffe. Hortense cheers up enough to point out critically that the cupboard was very untidy—not like the neat cupboards to which she’s accustomed in Jamaica.

To distract Hortense from the catastrophic afternoon, Gilbert takes her on a double-decker bus to sightsee around London. Hortense is excited, pointing out statues and government buildings she’s read about her whole life. Even though the city is no longer new to him, Gilbert sees everything afresh through her eyes. While they’re standing in front of Buckingham Palace, some children run up to Hortense and touch her skin, then run away. Even though Gilbert reassures her that people will always stare at them and they have to get used to it, Hortense adjusts her gloves and becomes stiff and haughty again.

While they’re drinking tea in a café, Gilbert sees some Jamaican men and greets them. Hortense asks why he talks to the men if he doesn’t really know them, but Gilbert says it’s enough to “know they are from home.” After so much time in London, he’s always pleased and relieved to see another black person.

Hortense wonders what she should do next—she hadn’t once considered the possibility that she wouldn’t be able to teach. Sensing an opening in her tough exterior, Gilbert takes her hand and informs her that he’ll look after her, but Hortense withdraws the hand quickly and Gilbert knows he’s spoken “too firm.”

Hortense is outraged when Gilbert proposes she find work as a seamstress—she’s trained to be a teacher, not a manual laborer. Gilbert reminds her that “a teacher you will be, even when you are sewing.” He even confides in her that he wants to study law one day. The words feel foolish coming out of his mouth, but Hortense gently places her hand over his.

Hortense suggests that she could work as a cook; in fact, her teachers in Jamaica always commended her baking skills. Acquainted with Hortense’s culinary skills, Gilbert tactfully tries to dissuade her from this plan, but ends up teasing her again, and she smiles. Another Jamaican man approaches their table. This one is dirty and shabbily dressed, but when he remarks on the cold weather, Hortense answers him politely.