Summary

“England versus England” by Doris Lessing tells the story of Charlie Thornton. He is getting ready to leave for Oxford from his home village when his father and some men enter the house. The father and the men mock Charlie for being an Oxford student and rarely coming home. The father, who is a Trade Union representative, apologises to Charlie for not spending more time with him, but Charlie knows that his father had never really spent time with him because he was always too busy fighting for miner’s rights and helping everyone in the village.

Charlie leaves towards the bus station with his younger brother Lennie. While they talk about Charlie’s fears of failing his exams and their mother, Charlie is in a constant inner conflict. One voice inside his head is critical and judgmental of the poverty and lack of culture his family displays. Another voice, however, feels guilty and sympathetic because it is his family who is paying for his education. Lennie scolds Charlie for his attitude to...