User:ViktorHardenberg/sandbox

• Comment: This reads like an analytical (possibly a class assignment) and not an encyclopedia article. bonadea contributions talk 10:37, 3 December 2024 (UTC)

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Loose Change by Andea Levy (character analysis)

Introduction

In Loose Change by Andrea Levy, the two main characters serve as contrasting figures. The unnamed narrator is a reserved Londoner who struggles with emotional openness and avoids engaging with strangers. Her personality reflects the isolation often associated with urban life. In contrast, the migrant woman, a young Uzbek refugee, is portrayed as warm, open, and resilient despite facing significant hardships. Their brief interaction in the National Portrait Gallery highlights their differences in personality, background, and outlook, while also exploring themes of vulnerability and human connection.

The Narrator

The narrator is a Londoner who describes herself as distant and reserved. She says: “I’m a Londoner — aloof sweats from my pores.” This shows her habit of keeping to herself and avoiding interaction with strangers. She even mentions that she doesn’t respond to people who talk about the weather, which emphasizes her detached personality. In the story, she finds herself in a difficult situation when her period starts unexpectedly, and she does not have any coins for the tampon machine. This forces her to ask for help in the restroom: “Has anyone got three twenty-pence pieces?” This moment reveals her discomfort in relying on others and breaking her usual self-reliance. When the migrant woman helps her, the narrator is hesitant and slightly suspicious. Throughout their conversation, the narrator doubts parts of the woman’s story. For example, when the migrant woman talks about her family’s struggles, the narrator reflects on how believable these details are, showing her skeptical nature. However, she listens and engages, which suggests a small change in her behavior. At the end of the story, the narrator imagines helping the woman more, such as offering her warmth and food: “I would make her cocoa. We would sit and talk.” Yet, she decides against it and leaves the gallery. This decision shows her ongoing struggle with connecting emotionally and stepping outside her comfort zone.

The Migrant Woman

The migrant woman is a young woman from Uzbekistan who is kind, open, and ready to help others, even though her own life is difficult. She helps the narrator by giving her coins for the tampon machine, showing her generous and caring nature. Her simple clothing and heavy accent highlight that she is not a native Londoner. The migrant woman shares her story, explaining that she left Uzbekistan with her family because of political problems: “Journalists were arrested. It was that bad.” She came to London to earn money and support her family, and despite her struggles, she stays positive. She describes her life in London, including cooking for her family and cleaning houses in Croydon: “I cook fish for my mother and brother… I clean for a woman in Croydon.” Her openness and willingness to share personal details contrast with the narrator’s closed-off personality. Even though the migrant woman is vulnerable, she is portrayed as strong and determined to support her family, no matter the challenges.