The New Tribe by Buchi Emecheta

Summary

Characters:

• Rev. Arthur Arlington and Ginny Arlington (a childless couple).
• Chester: The only black child in the community of St Simon, adopted by the Arlingtons.
• Julia: Chester's adoptive sister, protective and loving.
• Catherine Mba: A Nigerian woman who provides information about Chester's biological background.

Plot Overview:

• The Arlingtons adopt two children: Chester and Julia.
• Chester, the only black child in the community, begins to feel a sense of "unbelonging."
• Chester learns about his African roots and struggles with his identity.
• The Arlingtons reveal the details of Chester's adoption.
• Chester accepts his heritage and embraces his identity, reconciling with his adoptive family.

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Title Analysis: "The New Tribe"

• Suggests a blending of identities and a shift from traditional tribal systems to a mixed cultural family.
• Explores how identity is discovered and embraced within a diverse "tribe."

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Themes

Racial Integration:

• The Arlingtons adapt to raising a black child in a white community.
• Chester learns to cope with being different and embraces his heritage.

Mixed Race Families:

• The challenges faced by the Arlingtons as parents.
• Chester's journey towards self-acceptance and understanding his cultural background.

Adoption:

• Highlights the complexities of adoption, including identity struggles and fears of biological parents reclaiming their children.

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How is the story told?

Setting

• Modern-day England.
• A white, conservative, religious community (St Simon).

Structure and Plot Development

• Exposition:
  • The Arlingtons adopt two children, Chester and Julia.
  • Julia is white, and Chester is black.
• Rising Action:
  • Chester realises he is different and begins questioning his identity.
  • He is teased about his skin colour and given the role of "King of the Orient" in a play.
• Climax:
  • Chester refuses to participate in the play due to bullying.
  • He confronts his parents about his heritage.
• Resolution:
  • Chester reconciles with his parents by creating a heartfelt Christmas card.
  • He accepts his identity and heritage while recognising his adoptive father as a strong and supportive figure.

Narrator's Point of View

• Third-person narrator allows readers to see multiple perspectives and form their own conclusions.

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Key Characters

Chester:

• Sensitive and aware of his skin colour.
• A dreamer who seeks identity and independence.
• Accepts his cultural roots by the end.

Julia:

• Loving and protective of her brother.
• Sensitive and family-oriented.

Rev. Arthur Arlington:

• Gentle, kind, and supportive.
• A "Rock of Gibraltar" figure for Chester.

Ginny Arlington:

• Compassionate and loving but anxious about the challenges of adoption.

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Language and Style

Diction and Figurative Language

• Personification:

• "The room was frozen into silence" – emphasises shock and discomfort.

• Similes:

• "Like a dying rose petal" – reflects Ginny's emotional fragility.

  

• Metaphor:

  • "Rock of Gibraltar" – symbolises Arthur's emotional strength and stability.

Tone and Mood

• Tone:
  • Joyful when the children arrive.
  • Commanding during moments of discipline.
  • Apologetic during reconciliation.
• Mood:
  • Alternates between tension, fear of rejection, and acceptance.

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Key Exam Tips

• Focus on how the themes of identity and belonging are portrayed through Chester's journey.
• Highlight the significance of the title and how it reflects the story's message.
• Be prepared to discuss the narrator's perspective and its impact on the reader.
• Use examples of figurative language to support your analysis of tone and mood.