SuitabookThe chimneys of Green Knowe
Lucy M. Boston
- Reading
- Consider reading alongside a child who may want to pause over racist language, enslavement and stereotypes. Discuss what the narrative appears to challenge, and separately what its imagery may still reproduce.
- Themes
- Friendship across difference: Susan, a blind girl, and Jacob, a Black boy brought from the West Indies, develop a close friendship and act with resourcefulness. The friendship is presented warmly and the two characters are described as admirable, intelligent and adventurous.
- Racism and historical power: Jacob is described as a former slave boy brought to Britain, where he encounters prejudice from some members of Susan’s family and the servants. The cited account says racist attitudes are treated with explicit authorial disapproval, while Jacob is portrayed as brave, loyal and resourceful.
- Uneven representation: A later depiction of gypsies is described as presenting them as stereotypical villains without the sympathy extended to Jacob. The reported contrast suggests the novel challenges some prejudice but reproduces another stereotyped representation.
- Worth knowing
- Racist language and attitudes are present, including the N word, demeaning treatment of Jacob and a monkey costume. A later depiction of gypsies is described as stereotypical and lacking redeeming qualities.