Is London represented as a multi-cultural place in the novel Refugee Boy? Discuss with reference to at least three characters.

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Is London represented as a multi-cultural place in the novel ‘Refugee Boy’? Discuss with reference to at least three characters.

It is fair to say that the London represented in the novel ‘Refugee Boy’ is an incredibly multi-cultural place. The city described by Benjamin Zephania seems to be a vibrant hubbub of various races, cultures and traditions, which all inter-mingle together to give the place a truly international feel. Three young friends in the novel especially represent this idea by bringing with them so much authentic culture from their ancestors’ ‘motherland’.  Robert and Asher were both born in London, but still hold on dearly to the language, food and music of their parents, whereas Alem actually emigrated to the city from North East Africa. On arrival, not only did Alem transport his own ethnic customs, but also enthusiastically embraced the multi-cultural nature of the city by befriending Robert and Asher so quickly.

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Although Robert seems like he is a typical Londoner, his ancestry is actually from South America. When asked by Alem if he came from Chile, he responded: “No, I was born here, but my mother and father did.” Robert seems very proud of the fact that his family came from another country as well as also being very proud that he was born in London.

He also expresses his multiculturalism by immersing himself in foreign food and music that reminds him of his family’s home. He states he likes to, “eat a bit of Chilean food and ...

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