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Characters

Status-Conscious: Jackson is portrayed as a character deeply concerned with displaying his wealth and social standing. He proudly wears a square red ring and drives a polished black car, both of which he uses to showcase his affluence. He places great importance on his material possessions, and his family and job are all presented as elements of his social status.
Nostalgia and Shame: Jackson's character displays a complex mixture of nostalgia for his past and a desire to distance himself from it. He recalls aspects of his childhood and youth with fondness, but often downplays the unpleasant or grim aspects of those memories. He is quick to deny his connection to his past, even claiming that he wasn't born there, but merely lived there for five years.
Out of Place: Jackson's return to his former Glasgow neighbourhood makes him feel out of place. He is uncomfortable in the environment and feels like a tourist. His use of derogatory language and negative attitudes towards the local youth and residents further emphasise his sense of displacement.
Prejudiced: Jackson harbours prejudiced views, particularly regarding race. He expresses derogatory opinions about black people and supports tough, unfair treatment of those he deems as punks, often linking this to his prejudiced views. His admiration of the racist regime in South Africa reflects his unwillingness to consider society from a broader perspective.

Contrasting Viewpoint: Jackson's wife holds a different perspective from her husband. She does not share his nostalgic view of Glasgow and takes no pleasure in her memories of the place. She is depicted as having a more direct and blunt manner of speaking, contrasting with Jackson's verbosity.

Uncomfortable in the Environment: Unlike Jackson, his wife is uncomfortable in the Glasgow environment. Her fur coat is used as a symbol of her sense of superiority and status. She distances her coat from the surroundings in the tenement, but it becomes a source of confidence and happiness when they reach the plush hotel.
Change in Mood: Jackson's wife's mood undergoes a transformation when they arrive at the hotel. Beforehand, she is curt and distant, but in the hotel, she appears happier and more at ease, reflecting her preference for luxurious environments where her social status is reinforced.

Awareness of Out of Place: Jackson's wife is more acutely aware of being out of place in the Glasgow environment. She suggests that they should be back in Africa, where she believes they belong. She may have been more motivated to leave their surroundings and expresses a desire for self-improvement.
Complex Marriage Dynamics: The dynamics of Jackson's marriage with his wife appear complex. They bicker when alone in the tenement, and in public, at the hotel, they seem happier. Their relationship is marked by a degree of tension and possibly a quest for social validation through their marriage.