Analysis

Here are the main topics we will focus on in the following analysis of “We’re not Jews” by Hanif Kureishi.

The structure of the short story is constructed around a single event in the characters’ lives—the racist bullying they are subjected to during a bus ride. The title, “We’re not Jews”, suggests that the story is going to be about racism, prejudice, and ethnicity.

The story focuses on the characters of Yvonne, Azhar, Big Billy, and Little Billy. In the analysis, we will point out their traits, taking into consideration both their outer and inner characterisation.

The main aspect of the social setting is the social one. The social setting contains aspects of British society most probably in the 1950s. The narrator uses both implicit and explicit narration. For instance, we are told exactly what happens and how it happens. However, the narration becomes more implicit regarding the characters’ motivation.

The short story’s language is relatively simple and easy to follow as it reflects the perspective of a child. Language devices like similes, repetitions, rhetorical questions, and symbols give the story additional meanings, and add to the imagery.

Read the full analysis in the next pages!