Analysis

This excerpt of the short story “The River Underground” by Richard Tromans follows a non-chronological structure featuring events that unfold around the main character. The extensive use of contrasts in the story helps highlight the cultural conflict in the story and draws attention to the main character’s perspective. 

The story focuses on the experiences of the main character, Husman – a Gambian working illegally in London. He is a developing character whose expectations about life in London are in part contradicted by his experience. 

The story is set in both London and Gambia at different times. The rivers in the two countries have a symbolic function of emphasizing their contrast. The social setting explores cultural differences, income gaps, and the status of the illegal immigrant. 

The text is a third-person narrative. The narrator follows the point of view of the main character and assumes a limited knowledge perspective. This helps readers relate to Husman. 

The language of the short story is filled with similes and metaphors which help readers understand how the main character thinks as well as his motivation. Symbols play an important role as well, particularly that of the London subway as a river underground.