Discussion Questions

Imaging Britain: West Indians Perceptions and Reality

1. In Windrush, Mike and Trevor Phillips describe the experience of the Second World War in the Caribbean. What were the ways in which the conflict affected every day life?

2. Although Trinidad and Jamaica and other islands were part of the British empire in the West Indies, Caribbean people in general regarded the war as their war. Please discuss the ways in which they people participated in the war effort?

3. What were some of the reasons that Caribbean veterans gave for volunteering to serve in the war?

4. On active duty, Caribbean military personnel recalled a range of experiences. To what extend, was race a major factor in their experience of the war? Please provide examples.

5. Over the course of the war, their reception in Britain changed. In what ways did the reception change and why?

6. After the war, why did Caribbean veterans remain or others relocate to Britain from the West Indies?

7. Through the character Moses, the novel Lonely Londoners describes the experiences of black men and women from the Caribbean who came to Britain in the 1950s. Please describe the process of chain migration from the West Indies to London.

8. In what ways did the newcomers adjust their expectations to realities?

9. To what extend does the desire for independence involve inter-dependence among the characters in the novel?

10. In seeking to survive, in what ways did the characters ground themselves in British society?

11. Do any of the characters regard themselves as British?

12. Why does Moses remain in Britain?