Three Little Birds is a beautiful and emotional tale of three women who had their own dreams and aspirations, moving from Jamaica to England to start a new life and build a better future. The three women: Leah, her sister Chantrelle, and their friend Hosanna had different reasons for coming to England from Jamaica. For Leah, it was to escape her abusive household and build a better future for herself and her children. Chantrelle, on the other hand, wanted to pursue her dream of becoming an actress and accepted a maid job at Wantage House in England. As for Hosanna, her journey was driven by the desire to find her father, who had left her and moved to England. Additionally, she was to marry Leah’s brother, Aston. While their motivations differed, what they shared was the common goal of making a home in England and striving for a better life. However, upon reaching England, they began to confront the harsh reality of being black in a predominantly white country in the year 1957, facing numerous trials and tribulations. The narrative unfolds, shedding light on the difficulties they encountered. Despite the challenges of racial domination, what stood out was the solidarity, friendship, and genuine love that the three women had for each other, proving to be the anchor that helped them survive. The racial dynamics depicted in the series evoke a range of emotions, from anger to empathy, as the characters navigate a society marked by racial prejudice and discrimination. Witnessing their genuine love and compassion for one another can be incredibly moving, bringing tears to the eyes of the audience.
Spoilers Ahead
What Challenges Did They Face In England?
Three Little Birds kicks off in 1957 in Kingston, Jamaica, as three women—Leah, Chantrelle, and Hosanna—embark on a journey to England, each carrying a mix of excitement, fear, and confusion, thinking about what awaits them there. England presents a stark contrast to their tropical home. While traveling together, they understood that each had a very different personality, with Hosanna being a God-fearing, church-going woman and Chantrelle’s vivacious personality contrasting Leah’s skepticism and homesickness. In England, their purpose becomes clear: to find suitable jobs so that they can send money back home and to arrange the marriage of Hosanna with Chantrelle and Leah’s brother, Aston. The dream of London as a beautiful city with job opportunities shatters as the trio finds a stark contrast: paths, scattered furniture, and people living in tents. Leah is furious when the promised decent accommodation turns out to be unlivable, but the nightly community parties provide a brief escape from their struggles. As Chantrelle revels in the parties, Leah remains neutral, and Hosanna, a devout churchgoer, finds them sinful as she believes this partying leads to fornication and alcoholism, which are sinful acts that should be avoided. Aston approached Hosanna, expressing that people in England are quite different; even those who attend church may not be exceptionally holy. After their marriage, Aston assured Hosanna that he would accompany her to a church in Dudley if that’s what she desired, which discloses how affectionate he is towards her.
In a heartfelt conversation, Aston questions why Hosanna traveled all the way to England to marry him without knowing much about him. Before she can answer, the police intervene, disrupting the party and arresting Hosanna amid racial tensions. When Leah and Aston arrived at the police station, the white officers demeaned them, accusing them of “stinking up the station” and claiming that they could retrieve their friend the next morning. Leah, in that moment, grasped the severity of London’s racial discrimination and questioned why she ever considered coming to a place that seemed so unbearable. She felt convinced that this environment was worse than Jamaica and doubted the possibility of creating a home for her children in such oppressive conditions. Aston, however, acknowledged the harsh reality of their surroundings but found solace in having his sister, Leah, with him. He understood her past sufferings back home and stood by her side.
Leah reflected on her history of abuse at the hands her husband in Jamaica, recounting an incident where he discovered her hidden savings, leading to physical and verbal abuse. And this abuse she faced all day, every day, was unbearable for her. As they went to retrieve Hosanna from the police station, she expressed she felt unsafe in England, comparing it unfavorably to Jamaica, which she considered heaven. The racial tension escalated when Chantrelle, on her first day as a maid at the Wantage household, witnessed the blatant racism directed at her. The family, in a disturbing display of discrimination, used derogatory language and hushed sounds and insisted on segregating their belongings on the grass and refusing her front door entry to their home as she was black. Leah, witnessing the explicit racism, reconsidered the move to England for the betterment of her children’s future, driven by the desire to earn more money. Despite the serious racial tensions, she realized she had come too far to turn back. Having left her abusive husband, she knew she had to stay in England to provide a better life for her children.
What Happens With Chantrelle At The Wantage House?
Chantrelle took on a tedious job at the Wantage house, where the workload was demanding due to the needs of the couple and their children. However, her troubles began when Mrs. Wantage informed her that she couldn’t use certain utensils and that her belongings had to be stored separately. When Chantrelle inquired about her salary, Mrs. Wantage informed her that, for the first month, she would be provided with free boarding and necessities, and only if she proved herself worthy would she receive a wage. This unfair arrangement left Chantrelle angered and frustrated. Moreover, Chantrelle discovered Mr. Wantage’s ill intentions when she came across Mrs. Wantage’s clothing after doing laundry. While happily mimicking a movie scene wearing the clothes and jewelry, Mr. Wantage caught her. Instead of reprimanding her, he encouraged her to put on the coat and act out a scene with him. Chantrelle was left unsure of how to handle the situation, sensing his inappropriate advances. In her attempt to seek solace and share her experiences, Chantrelle interacted with a nanny named Siobhan, who worked in a neighboring house. The nanny appreciated Chantrelle’s lovely voice and encouraged her not to be afraid. This friendship provided some respite from the challenging environment. The situation took a darker turn when Mr. Wantage attempted to lure Chantrelle, offering an acting job and an inappropriate request for her to sit on his lap. Fearing for her safety, Chantrelle sought refuge in the house next door and started sleeping beside the friendly nanny every night. Despite her hopes of pursuing an acting career, Chantrelle faced blatant racism at an audition. She was informed that they did not want a colored woman like her to audition, emphasizing the racial biases prevalent in the entertainment industry back then.
How Did Chantrelle Manage To Free Herself?
One day, Chantrelle found herself trapped in a perilous situation when Mr. Wantage, fueled by his inappropriate desires, attempted to force himself on her, claiming it was his birthday and that she should be his gift. Realizing the urgency of her situation, Chantrelle reached out to Leah for help. In a quick and clever move, Leah fabricated an excuse, pretending to experience women’s problems at work, and, along with Hosanna, left their workplace to rescue Chantrelle. At Wantage house, the Wantage couple, unaware of the impending rescue, went for their birthday dinner, providing a window of opportunity for Chantrelle’s freedom. However, the locked doors posed a challenge. Leah and Hosanna, displaying immense courage and determination, arrived at the scene, relentlessly hammering on the back door until they managed to break it open. Amidst the chaos, the Wantage couple returned home in a drunken state. Mrs. Wantage, sensing her husband’s predatory nature, caught him in the act as he attempted to assault Chantrelle once again. Leah’s forceful intervention and shouted protests drew Mrs. Wantage into the room. This confrontation revealed the true nature of Mr. Wantage’s actions, and amid the commotion, Chantrelle, Leah, and Hosanna seized the moment to escape. Fleeing from the house together, their bond of friendship and solidarity became a symbol of strength and resilience. Determined never to let circumstances force them apart again, they pledged to stick together. Amidst the turmoil, their unwavering support for each other became a beacon of solace, symbolizing the power of friendship in overcoming adversity.
Why Did Hosanna Not Want To Marry Aston?
Hosanna and Aston were on the verge of getting married, but their limited knowledge of each other prompted them to embark on a window-shopping expedition together. In a bridal shop, Hosanna fell in love with a dress, but financial constraints prevented them from making the purchase. Undeterred, Aston proposed, and they sealed the deal not with a ring but with a handkerchief, and he promised her that he would buy her the dream dress by scraping together the money for her. But Hosanna faced difficulties believing in men because of her troubled relationship with her father, whose whereabouts she no longer knew. Hosanna shared the sorrowful story of her father—a once-priest who, after her mother’s death, succumbed to loneliness, started drinking, and left Jamaica for England, abandoning her and taking the church money. Hosanna didn’t fully trust Aston because her dad had left her, making her skeptical of men. Aston, fueled by anger, worked hard to gather money but got threats from people who even took his car. When Hosanna discovered Aston’s troubled past, including financial problems and a heartbreaking past relationship where his partner died in childbirth, she was surprised that there was so much she didn’t know much about the man she was about to marry. Despite the shock, she also felt understanding and compassion toward Aston. As Hosanna contemplated marrying Aston, she realized that it wasn’t possible. Her strong faith as a churchgoer, valuing spirituality, clashed with Aston’s financial struggles and having a child before marriage, which went against her beliefs. Despite acknowledging Aston as a good man, the misalignment in their values and ethics became a barrier, leading her to express that she couldn’t proceed with the marriage.
What Made Hosanna Finally Come Around?
Hosanna’s decision to marry Aston was a result of a collective effort and a display of immense strength and support from her sister Leah, her community, and her newfound friends. Despite financial struggles and opposition, Leah encouraged Aston not to lose hope, emphasizing that Hosanna was an extraordinary woman. In a remarkable demonstration of unity, Leah and Chantrelle pleaded with the community for help in making the wedding possible. Facing rejection due to Aston’s past financial dealings, they persevered, gathering old clothes to create a wedding dress, refurbishing an old church for the ceremony, and even changing a divisive wall message from “go home blacks” to “go blacks go.” Leah, understanding Hosanna’s struggle to trust men, took her to meet her father in the hope that she would come around to marrying Aston. Upon discovering that her father had taken church donation money to come to England from Jamaica after her mother’s death he intended to create a new family here. But ultimately this pursuit was rejected by the woman he loved. Despite this revelation, Hosanna recognized the importance of accepting her father, flaws and all. Guided by her Christian values and the belief that every action has a purpose in God’s plan, she decided to marry Aston. She saw in Aston, like her father, a good man with a complex past. In choosing to look past their previous deeds, Hosanna exemplified her resilience, faith, and capacity for forgiveness, finding strength in her commitment to a higher purpose. The wedding, orchestrated with love and support, became a beautiful testament to the strength of community bonds and the transformative power of acceptance and understanding.
What Was Leah And Shelton’s Relationship Like?
Leah, while working in the factory, became acquainted with a man named Shelton, who displayed kindness in stark contrast to the man she once fell in love with—her husband, Ephraim. While enjoying her time with Shelton, Leah sensed that he was different and more considerate compared to her past experiences with men. However, another lady in the factory harbored an interest in Shelton, making Leah aware of his numerous love interests. But instead of knowing that, Leah found herself pleased with the attention she grabbed from him and almost kissed Shelton. Leah, who was beginning to explore the idea of love after escaping an abusive relationship back in Jamaica, went on a movie date with Shelton. A distressing scene in the movie triggered memories of past abuse that Leah faced, prompting her to leave the hall. Shelton, understanding and compassionate, provided comfort to her, leading to an unexpected moment of intimacy as they shared a kiss and developed feelings for each other.
Amidst this romance, a letter from Leah’s home devastated her. Learning that her children were suffering due to her husband’s drunken violence, Leah felt compelled to reveal the truth to Shelton: that she had a husband and three children back in her home in Jamaica. However, the revelation angered Shelton, who felt deceived, thinking Leah was single. Leah, torn and emotionally burdened, struggled to make Shelton comprehend the painful history of abuse she had endured in her past relationship with her husband in Jamaica. Leah confessed that she never foresaw falling for someone new, having entered marriage with ideals of honor and sacred vows, only to be met with a painful reality of torture, alcoholism, and abuse. Shelton, displaying unwavering support and genuine care, placed emphasis on Leah’s well-being and the welfare of her children. Amidst these emotional developments, a letter from Leah’s mother in Jamaica revealed that her husband was attempting to become a better father by giving up alcohol and actively participating in family life. This news left Leah conflicted, questioning the morality of her being in a relationship with Shelton.
The season wrapped me up in a whirlwind of emotions with an intricate tapestry of love, friendship, and support that left me profoundly moved as a viewer. Each episode was a journey into the lives of these characters, unfolding like a rich novel tugging at my heartstrings. The season’s climax was truly gripping. Seeing Leah, pregnant with Shelton’s child, waiting at the airport for her children showcased the triumph of love over adversity. Yet, the narrative took an unexpected turn when Leah’s estranged husband appeared on the scene. It was shocking to watch, and it intensified the anticipation for what the next season holds. The complexities of Hosanna’s married life and Chantrelle’s pursuit of an acting career—these unanswered questions linger in the air, adding an extra layer of suspense to the storyline. As I will be eagerly waiting for the next season, I can say that the show has not just entertained me; it has made me reflect on societal issues like racial discrimination, portraying them with rawness. The emotional depth and personal connections I’ve formed with these characters make me excited and anxious about what lies ahead.
