Analysis
The short story “Chameleon” by Ranbir Sahota follows a plot structure that develops around the main character’s conflicts, related to the values of her Indian parents clashing with her own wishes. The structure of the story is not entirely chronological and includes flashback details about the characters’ past.
The story includes several characters: Rita, her siblings, and their parents, Mark and his parents, the Methi family, and Sanjay. However, the central character of the story is Rita, whose inner conflict is caused by the fact that she feels forced to hide her relationship with a white man from her conservative Indian parents.
The story is set in the UK and takes place in Rita and Mark’s house, and in the house of Rita’s parents. The physical setting is relevant for showing cultural differences, which are further explored through the social setting. The social setting looks at aspects related to generational gaps, Indian culture, British culture, and the issue of fitting in.
The main character in the story is also the first-person narrator. As the narrator, Rita has limited knowledge of the events, and her point of view offers readers a subjective perspective on the action.
The language of the story includes Hindi words, French words, and British slang words, which give characters authenticity and add to the context of the story.
You can find a more detailed analysis in the following pages.