Similarities Between 'The Test And After You, My Dear Alphonse'

The texts ‘The Test’ by Angelica Gibbs and ‘After You, My Dear Alphonse’ by Shirley Jackson evoke particular responses from the reader through the use of characterisation. Gibb’s story uses the construction of the character, Marian an African-American woman who is unjustly ‘flunk’ in her driving test to create sympathy. ‘After You, My Dear Alphonse’ also creates sympathy through an African-American character, Boyd a young, innocent child that is unfairly treated by his friend’s mother, Mrs Wilson. Both texts arouse resentment for the white antagonist, ‘the inspector’ in ‘The Test’ who is an ignorant racist and Mrs Wilson in Jackson’s short story displays underlying racism. These two characters are used to represent the society’s attitude toward