Loose Change
This section summarizes Andrea Levy's short story "Loose Change". The story revolves around an encounter between two women in London. The unnamed female narrator needs coins for a tampon machine in a gallery bathroom and is helped by a foreign woman named Laylor. As a gesture of gratitude, the narrator invites Laylor for a cup of tea.
Initially, the narrator assumes Laylor is an immigrant from Spain due to her accent, but it's revealed that she's actually from Uzbekistan. The narrator's perception of Laylor shifts negatively when she learns that Laylor and her brother are homeless in London. Despite having the means to help, the narrator ultimately leaves without offering assistance.
Highlight: The story explores themes of identity, belonging, and the complex dynamics between different generations of immigrants in a multicultural city.
The characters are described as follows:
• Narrator: Unnamed, third-generation immigrant, educated, easily influenced, unsociable, introverted
• Laylor: First-generation immigrant from Uzbekistan, homeless, selfless, helpful, talkative, extroverted
The story delves into issues of belonging and identity. The narrator struggles with her bicultural identity as a Londoner, lacking a strong sense of "Heimat" or homeland. In contrast, Laylor appears more confident and accepting of her origin and circumstances, demonstrating a stronger sense of belonging despite her difficult situation.
Quote: "narrator seems to neither fully accepts her being a bicultural Londoner -> struggles with her identity: no 'Heimat'"
The postcolonial experience is reflected in the narrator's pride in behaving like a typical Londoner, exhibiting stereotypical aloofness by leaving Laylor without helping. Both characters illustrate the importance of belonging and identity in shaping one's experiences and interactions in a postcolonial urban setting.
