Chameleon: analyse af Ranbir Sahotas novelle

The short story Chameleon is written by Ranbir Sahota and takes place in England. She story is most likely written on her own background. She tells us about a young Indian woman, who tries to make her interracial relationship with Mark work, even though her parents are very much against it. Mark is not Indian. He is white, and with completely wrong values as Rita’s parents see it. They make it clear that it’s not acceptable, and that he eventually will cheat on her or leave her. At the same time Mark has catholic parents, who makes Rita’s religion and skin colour a difficulty. Therefore, he tells them that he and Rita are not together anymore. As Rita is wounded by this, she agrees to meet the man, Rita’s parents would like her to marry, even though she is against arranged marriages. The man knows about Rita’s relationship with Mark, and nothing further happens between the man and her. Rita and Mark moves in together, and keeps their relationship secret. At the end of the short story, Rita’s parents show up unannounced at their house. While Rita desperately tries to make them leave, Mark hides in the closet. She finds out through her brother that her parents know what is going on, and decides to introduce Mark to her parents.