As Adah spends time with Francis, she notices a change in him. He openly kisses her in public, something that surprises her. On the train ride to London, she experiences snow for the first time and finds it beautiful. However, her excitement quickly fades when she sees the tiny room Francis has rented for their family.
Francis explains that many Black people are moving to the UK, and Africans, just like Indian and Pakistani immigrants, struggle to find decent accommodations.
When their neighbours return home from work, Adah realises they are living with fellow Nigerians who would have been their domestic servants back home.
Adah complains bitterly, accusing Francis of not trying hard enough to find good rooms. Francis moves to his her – though he stops. Adah, frightened, realises that Francis’ parents would have prevented him from hitting the family’s breadwinner in Nigeria. In the UK he feels liberated to hit her if he wants.
Frustrated, Adah vents her anger at Francis and accuses him of not trying hard enough to secure better living conditions. Francis moves to hit her. This frightens Adah. His parents would have discouraged him from hitting the family’s breadwinner. Now, in the UK, he seems to feel empowered to act otherwise.
Francis tells her that no matter how rich she is in Nigeria, she becomes a “second class citizen” as soon as she steps foot in the UK, so there is no point in nursing class prejudices against other Nigerians here.
Adah is taken aback by Francis’ attitude but, recognising that the UK only permits women to enter if they are joining their husbands, she resolves to be thankful to Francis for bringing her and their children to the UK.
Francis tries to convince her to get a working-class factory job like their neighbours’ wives but Adah, who has an education and a lot of experience, declines to do this.
One day, she receives a letter offering her a position as a library assistant at Finchley Central Library. Her joy is short-lived as she discovers that she is pregnant again. Her new job requires a medical examination and she is worried that the pregnancy would prevent her from getting the job.
In an effort to conceal her pregnancy, Adah buys some nice clothes to disguise her growing belly and wears them to the medical examination. She is so friendly to the male doctor that he doesn't even look at her stomach. Eventually, Adah receives the job.
What motivates Adah to continue staying in England despite her initial regret? A. Her determination to give her children an English education B. A desire to further her education C. Francis’ insistence that they remain in the UK D. Pressure from her Nigerian family
How does Francis justify their poor living conditions to Adah? A. By claiming the rent is too expensive elsewhere B. By blaming her for coming to the UK C. By saying all Nigerians in the UK face similar challenges D. By saying their neighbours are respectable people
What type of job does Francis initially suggest Adah should pursue in the UK? A. A position in a library B. A factory job C. A teaching role D. A clerical job
Why is Adah concerned about the medical examination required for her new job? A. She is afraid of being disqualified due to her pregnancy B. She does not have the required medical documents C. The doctor might discover her educational background D. The examination conflicts with her work schedule
What does Adah do to pass the examination for her new job? A. By using false medical records B. By asking Francis to vouch for her C. By persuading the doctor not to examine her D. By wearing clothes to conceal her pregnancy
ANSWER: 1. A 2. C 3. B 4. A 5. A
Theory Questions
Explain the significance of Francis’ statement about Adah becoming a “second-class citizen” in the UK. How does it reflect societal attitudes towards immigrants?
“England gave Adah a cold welcome” Analyse this statement, showing the relationship between Adah’s living conditions in Lagos and in London.
