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Explore the themes of belonging, change, and home in this story set in 1970s Glasgow. Follow Mr. and Mrs. Jackson as they navigate conflicts and encounters with minor characters, showcasing the complexities of identity, memories, and societal roles. The narrative weaves between past and present, culminating in a poignant realization about the meaning of home and belonging. Language rich in metaphors and similes paints a vivid picture of characters and settings. Themes of racism, class division, and cultural identity are deeply explored, challenging notions of success and happiness.

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  1. Home Iain Crichton Smith

  2. Features to Consider: • Characterisation • Setting • Language • Key incident(s) • Climax / turning point • Plot • Structure • Narrative Technique • Theme • Ideas • Description

  3. Characterisation • Main characters: Mr & Mrs Jackson • Snobby / rags to riches • Evidence of wealth (fur coat / posh car) • Look down on those left behind (‘had the guts to travel’) • Fall out but also look out for each other • Conflict between them highlights theme of story • Minor characters: The Jamiesons, the factor, Nicky & Charlie • Jamiesons – domestic violence / petty religious arguments / heavy drinking • The factor – tight with money / unsympathetic • Nicky & Charlie (‘punks’) – threatening / potentially violent. Tell the Jacksons they don’t belong (‘tourists’). Represent the change in the neighbourhood.

  4. Setting • WHERE • Glasgow (mentions Clyde / references to gang culture – graffiti / blades / language / tenements • WHEN • 1970s (shipbuilding / picture house / moustaches / overt racism)

  5. Language • “Her face has a haggard...desiccated gypsy” (describing Mrs Jackson) – SIMILE • “like a victorious gladiator” SIMILE (Mr Jamieson) • “supermarkets...flexing huge muscles” PERSONIFICATION • “car bulging like a black wave” SIMILE • “his wallet bulged” WORD CHOICE

  6. Language • “with a hungry look as if he were scanning the veldt” SIMILE • “the flat-faced shops looked at them blankly” PERSONIFICATION • “her repertoire of invention was endless” WORD CHOICE • “lost its atmosphere of pastoral carelessness...literate slogans in flowers” JUXTAPOSITION

  7. Language • “...as if even giving away words were an agony of the spirit.” WORD CHOICE • “the dispirited receptionist in the glass cage” METAPHOR • “The wee nyaff. The Scottish words rose unbidden to his mouth like bile.” SIMILE • “The interior of the cinema came back to him in a warm flood.” METAPHOR • “Remember it was me who drove you to the top.” (LITERAL AND METAPHORICAL) • “...like a bull wounded in the arena.” SIMILE • “...dirty boys and girls...all dead and rotting...” WORD CHOICE

  8. Language • “...surrounded by a pack of children...an empress surrounded by prairie dogs.” METAPHOR / WORD CHOICE • “..the voice which was like a saw that would cut through steel forever.” SIMILE • “...no space in this bloody country. Everybody crowded like rats.” SIMILE • “in a place much like Africa, the bar of a first class hotel.” PARADOX • “his car bulging like a black wave.” ALLITERATION / SIMILE

  9. Key Incidents • Reminiscing at the tenements • Mr Jackson’s encounter with the factor (flashback) • The couple argue and Mrs Jackson returns to car • Mr Jackson threatened by youths • They go ‘home’ to the hotel

  10. Climax / Turning Point • When Jackson is told by youths to get out of their neighbourhood. The Jacksons are called ‘tourists’ although they used to live there.

  11. Plot • Couple arrive at the tenement in Glasgow. • They reminisce and disagree • Realise they don’t belong / encounter the youths • They go to a hotel • Mr Jackson realises his true home is Africa (paradox at end of story)

  12. Structure • Mainly chronological • Use of flashbacks (contrast of past and present / poor and rich)

  13. Narrative Technique • Third person narrative • Flashbacks from Mr Jackson’s point of view • We get an objective view of the Jacksons and their views of ‘home’ – hear both their points of view

  14. Themes • Belonging • Change • Home • Racism

  15. Ideas • Where is home? Once left, you should can never go back? • Whose memories are more reliable? • Success – does it bring happiness / contentedness? • Religion / sectarianism & associated violence • Domestic violence / alcohol abuse • Gangs / disrespectful youths • Class / roles within society • Racism • Colonial views • Cultural identity / language / background – still there when you scratch the surface. It cannot be ignored • Money doesn’t bring happiness

  16. Description • Characters (appearance, belongings, reactions, thoughts and feelings) • Setting (time / place / atmosphere) • Attitudes (speech and actions reveal characters’ attitudes • Wealthy lifestyle of the Jacksons / rougher, working-class existence of the tenement residents • Differences / contrasts between Africa & Glasgow / Jacksons and their old neighbours • Of setting (time and place / atmosphere)

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