How far does Kelman present a positive view of teenagers in Pigeon English?
Write about:

• one or more of the teenager(s) in the novel
• how far Kelman presents a positive view of teenager(s).

In ‘Pigeon English’, Douglas Stuart uses a little boy named Harrison Opoku to depict the life of Ghanaian immigrants who reside in a high-rise apartment block in London. Harrison and his adolescent buddies are shown by Kelman as complicated people who are able to take charge of their own lives and make their own decisions. While Kelman’s portrayal of teenagers in “Pigeon English” is mostly positive, highlighting their resiliency, adaptation, and their capacity to find joy in even the most trying situations, the book does not shy away from the brutal realities of inner-city living.

Harri, a close friend of the main character Harrison, is one of the book’s main teenage characters. Harri is a complicated and multifaceted character who battles with identity problems, peer pressure, and the need for acceptance. He is well aware of the difficulties that young people in inner cities face, but he also has a strong sense of loyalty to his friends and family. Despite the many obstacles he faces, Harri maintains a positive attitude and a strong sense of hope, as evidenced by his observation that “I know there are bad things in the world, but there are good things too. Like when you wake up and it’s sunny outside, or when you hear a really good song on the radio” (Kelman, 2011, p. 35).