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Themes

Social Status:

• Jackson's visit to his old home is driven by a desire to display his elevated social standing. He is not genuinely interested in the condition of the area or its inhabitants.
• Jackson's trip is fuelled by a need to show off his material success and social status. He values superficial aspects associated with social class, such as upbringing, table manners, furniture, and cars.
• The story illustrates how obsession with material possessions can blind individuals to the fractured society around them, both in Glasgow and in South Africa.
• It conveys the message that people should consider the situations of others and highlights the irony of Jackson's support for unfair treatment in South Africa despite recalling past unfair treatment against himself.

The Disintegration of Community:

• The story depicts the Glasgow community as fragmented, with the demolition of old tenements and residents relocated to featureless housing estates.
• The community has lost its character, symbolised by the disappearance of picture houses and the conversion of these spaces into bingo halls.
• The narrative highlights the erosion of community spirit and the replacement of natural, carefree spaces with less appealing alternatives.
• Inhabitants seem to have limited interactions with each other, suggesting a breakdown in community bonds, although it remains unclear whether this is a result of change or Jackson's nostalgic portrayal of the past.