London, 1950s

The entirety of The Lonely Londoners is set in London, post World War II. Before Jamaica and Trinidad achieved independence, in 1962, they were governed by British colonial rule. Under this political policy Caribbeans were considered British subjects which inspired immigration to London after the second World War. In the British capital, racism and xenophobia relegates Caribbean citizens to poverty and creates an inequitable social system. While the city is economically and racially diverse, social stratification prohibits immigrants from finding profitable jobs and flourishing.

Waterloo Station

Waterloo Station is the train station where Caribbean immigrants arrive in London. Moses travels to Waterloo at the outset of the narrative to meet Galahad, who is travelling from Trinidad. The station serves as a symbol for entrapment, while Moses and others are free to board passage back to the Caribbean, economic disenfranchisement entraps them in London and prohibits their ability to...