Roy Allen's Music Analysis

The music of the 1940s gave Roy Allen hope that he would make it back to England, and eventually home to Philadelphia. When Roy Allen stayed in Colette Florin’s apartment, he made crossword puzzles to pass the time. Since Allen did not know any French, he used American song lyrics, song titles, hymns, and rhymes to make the crosswords. “His mother had been in the road company of Broadway shows before he was born, and she always sang in the apartment” (Childers 65). Songs remind Allen of his mother, and ultimately they showed his desire to return home. The crossword puzzles gave him comfort in an unknown place, where he had trouble communicating. Also, Allen tries to listen to the radio serval times, but could only find the music station
. Although the songs are in French, he still is comforted by the tunes, because it distracts him from his situation in Occupied France. In the prison camp, Allen used music to remind him of home. “Listening to the familiar songs was like a ticket home” (Childers 368). The instruments in the theater took Allen back to home. This reminder of home maintained Allen’s hope to get back to England. By seeing the music, and being reminded of home, enforced Allen’s desire to go back home. After his reminder, Allen started to go to the library to keep up with the news of the war. His relationship with music changed his livelihood, and helped him to remain hopeful to return to England.