Introduction
Levy and Nagra experimented with the negative experiences of immigrants through comparative angles. The thesis statement of the current essay posits the fact that Levy’s Small Island and Daljit Nagra’s poem “We Have Coming to Dover” carefully reinforced ideas relating to the immigrant experience as negative, and intergenerational conflicts among immigrants through a contrasting lens. Therefore, the current essay arguably critiques and compares how far and in what ways Levy and Nagra portray the immigrant experience as negative, by closely revising the themes- economic struggle, identity, and racism. On one hand, Nagra presented facts in a humorous and satiric light surrounding modern immigrants, While Levy focused on historical and emotional aspects surrounding the lives of first-generation immigrants, their economic hardships shape, and cultural alienation within Western society.
Main Body of the Essay
Themes highlighting how far and in what ways Levy and Nagra portray the immigrant experience as negative through their works by using a comparative lens
Andrea Levy’s Small Island and Daljit Nagra’s poem “We Have Coming to Dover” explored immigrant experiences in post-world war periods in Britain surrounding the theme of racism. It was the outcome of 1948 based British Nationality Act conferring individuals with the right to move to Britain, amidst associated adversities that the immigrants had to endure through contrasting light. Through a close reading of the work Small Island, it became clear that Levy portrayed the struggles faced by Caribbean immigrants through the examples of Hortense and Gilbert Joseph in the post-war British period. This is evident from the direct quote- “the letters don’t matter… you’re not qualified…” This shattered the beliefs of Hortense to avail work opportunities within Britain and secure a prestigious position for herself in the face of systemic racism. Amidst the requirement for workers in post-world war periods, racial and social prejudices prevailed subverting the living conditions of all immigrants such as Gilbert and Hortense, who were forced to lead their lives under challenging conditions. Levy arguably critiqued and portrayed the character of Hortense as a product of the British colonial regimes, seeking education with Eurocentric notions by ignoring her own culture, and this pervasive internalized colonialism was the prime reason behind her disdain for Gilbert, thereby showcasing class and status-based parameters while she dwindled to attain a true sense of belongingness. The language used in the text wad lucid, that simplified self-understanding that Hortense strived to establish her British identity by shedding off Jamaican cultural roots which were evident from the direct quote- ” …I was not one of them“, while the quote further implied “otherness”. The critic Bernard Bligh commented about racial prejudices prevailing in Britain through the direct quote- ” I didn’t fight a war….”. Another critic Gallagher mentioned similar writings by Bernard, concerning postwar anxiety and racial integration as the main topics being considered as also evident in Nagra’s work. On the contrary, by closely introspecting the poem- “We have coming to Dover” it was evident that Nagra showcased the aspects surrounding South Asian immigrants surrounding British paradigms which were evident from the direct quote- “Seasons or years we reap inland”. Important themes surrounding both works related to the grim realities of systemic racism, alienation faced by the immigrants, economic hardship, and cultural displacement.
Levy and Nagra adopted different elements to portray the negative experiences of the immigrants surrounding the theme of economic struggles. For example, Levy’s main focus is to critique and highlight the living conditions of Caribbean immigrants amidst their important contributions to British society. The gravity of the fact was that their existence was ignored within British society. In contrast, Nagra through the poetry “Look we have coming to Dover” majorly critiqued the xenophobic attitudes towards the South Asian immigrants. By delving deeper into the stanzas of the poem, it was observed that the poet arguably presented a clear picture of the burdens faced by immigrants as a part of society. Levy’s novel-maintained clarity in careful use of words and language that centered on the Windrush generation and the disillusionment of the immigrants. The careful use of the pronoun “them” was to highlight a sense of otherness and resentment in the hearts of immigrants as mentioned by the critic Bernard Bligh. On the other hand, Nagra’s poem centered around racial prejudices and adversities associated with assimilation. The critic Carly Philips further explored the ideas presented by Levy about how the migrants were never included as a part of the society, yet they established their beliefs towards false propaganda of the British regimes. The importance of economic survival has been shown as a key struggle for immigrants that is being suppressed by psychological trauma.
The themes of alienation and identity crisis were discussed in Small Island and “We Have Coming to Dover” and in this respect, there was a line of commonality between the works. However, on one hand, it was understood that Levy arguably portrayed the psychological turmoil faced by immigrants during their immigration from Jamaica to Britain that challenged their existence and worth. There were clear references to Gilbert, to further shed light on efforts made by the individuals for reconciliation as critiqued in the text- Small Island, along with careful use of words implying “otherness” towards the immigrants. In contrast, “We Have Coming to Dover” by Nagra argued about the careful use of intricacies in language and humor indicated by the direct quote- “ burdened, ennobled-poling sparks”, that further redirected the readers towards the undercurrent of seriousness showcasing the living conditions of the immigrants as critiqued by the poet. It was evident that the poet wanted to present a picture of the displacement of the immigrants as well as their dire dilemma of dwindling between dual identities as British and as South Asians. This reflected the Third Space Theory theorized by Homi Bhaba, describing the struggles of migrants with their identity and culture. A critique Bill Schwarz critiqued that Hortense cannot be called a victim, rather he is the product of the British empire as she reinforced colonial rule through self-opinions about class and race, such as her reluctance to teach black learners in Jamaica. Other themes described were economic struggles and exploitation faced by the immigrants which was indicated by their living conditions. As an example, the poet critiqued that the immigrants were mainly confined to low-skill and paid job positions, they were subverted by society, for low-profile positions, despite their hard work. This was evident through instances of labor exploitation and low-profile job responsibilities, as well as corresponding drivers of cultural conflict as clearly evident in both works. A Critic Nasta presented the reality surrounding the British Dream, how migrants were the sole contributors to the British economy, yet their efforts were unrecognized and they were excluded from others within the society. Overall, Levy and Nagra argued and critiqued about negative experiences of the immigrants by referring to contrasting language, and techniques, and referring to historical and other facets. Overall, Nagra critiqued facts in a humorous and satiric light surrounding the lives of modern immigrants, while on the contrary, Levy argued on historical and emotional aspects surrounding the lives of first-generation immigrants within Western society.
Conclusion
The thesis statement of the current essay arguably posits the fact that Levy’s Small Island and Daljit Nagra’s poem “We Have Coming to Dover” carefully reinforced ideas relating to intergenerational conflicts among immigrants. In The Small Island, Levy critiqued how the immigrants wanted to retain their cultural values, while on the contrary in “We Have Coming to Dover” Nagra strongly critiqued and satirized the struggles of the immigrants by aligning historical and emotional struggles faced by the first-generation immigrants.
Word Count: 1270 Words
Bibliography
Andermahr, Sonya. 2019. “Decolonizing Cultural Memory in Andrea Levy’s Small Island.” Journal of Postcolonial Writing 55 (4): 555–69. doi:10.1080/17449855.2019.1633554.
Levy, Andrea. “Small Island by Andrea Levy.” the Guardian, January 22, 2011. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2011/jan/22/book-club-week-three-small-island.
Levy, Andrea. Small Island. First. 2025. Reprint, New York: Picador, 2004.
Nagra, Daljit. “ Look We Have Coming to Dover!” Genius, 2025. https://genius.com/Daljit-nagra-look-we-have-coming-to-dover-annotated.
Nagra, Daljit. “Look We Have Coming to Dover (2007).” www.poetrybyheart.org.uk, 1996. https://www.poetrybyheart.org.uk/poems/look-we-have-coming-to-dover.
Poetry Book Society. “Daljit Nagra Reads ‘Look We Have Coming to Dover!’” YouTube, September 10, 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-A46MN3GsM.
