Summary chapter 1

Refugee boy

Chapter one of the novel "Refugee Boy" by Benjamin Zephaniah

introduces the protagonist, Alem, a 14-year-old Ethiopian boy. Alem's

parents, who are involved in peace advocacy between Ethiopia and

Eritrea, flee to England due to political unrest. Alem is left in London

when his father is called back to Ethiopia, and he is taken into care by

social services. The chapter culminates in Alem being interviewed by an

immigration officer who questions his identity and reasons for being in

the UK. Throughout the chapter, Alem's experiences as a refugee and

the challenges he faces are poignantly depicted, setting the stage for the

rest of the novel. The chapter portrays the challenges and experiences of

Alem as a refugee in London .The significance of the immigration man's

office in chapter one lies in its representation of the challenges and

obstacles faced by the main character,Alem Kelo, as a refugee in

London.