J. M. Coetzee’s Waiting for the Barbarians first struck me with its generalities. The allegorical aspects of the novel are infinitely strengthened by Coetzee’s decision to leave the characters (besides Colonel Joll) unnamed, the setting undefined, and the Empire unspecified. Perhaps the only clue we as readers are truly given as to the time period is the subtle reminders of Colonel Joll’s sunglasses. Nevertheless, the events described in Waiting for the Barbarians can be pictured taking place any time between the 1600s and the modern day. This intentional broad definition of the Empire allows us to see ourselves in each of the characters and recognize that the evils described could be perpetrated even by our own nation in this (as we like to think of it) modern and civilized era.
I also like the Magistrate’s thoughtful, sober, and introspective narration. I find him to be a very realistic character who is drawn clearly through not only his thoughts, but also his actions, and occasionally, a lack thereof. He is clearly working through a serious dilemma as he tries simultaneously to be a loyal servant to the Empire – and therefore the Colonel – even as he attempts to mitigate the havoc that Joll wreaks on the entire border area. The Magistrate is a simple, older man who does what he can to be compassionate to the prisoners and, in so doing, quietly defies the Empire. He truly wrestles with what to do with regard to the torture that is being committed in his domain. His loss of sleep and various attempts to shut out the horror of events does not make me dislike him. After all, he does his best. Yet he feels remorse for what is going on even when he does not have the ability to alter those events. The Magistrate is troubled by the idea of what the Empire stands for because he is an agent of the Empire. As the tension grows between the Magistrate and his conscience, between the two opposing agents of the Empire, and between the Magistrate and the barbarians, I find myself excitedly anticipating what will come next. Coetzee has captured my attention and I look forward to seeing how the novel will conclude.
(371.)
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Alfred Russel Wallace’s Racist Inquiry:
Alfred Russel Wallace, an English naturalist who independently developed a theory similar to Darwin’s theory of evolution, attempted to answer the question:
“Are humans one race or many?” His answer to that question demonstrates clearly the racist values of the late 1800s.
His answer follows as such:
- Those who believe in the unity of mankind as a single race use the wide variation of traits within each individual “race” and the overlap of those traits between races as evidence in support of their views. The fact that others cannot agree on how many independent races exist also bolsters the argument that mankind is a single race.
- Those who see mankind as fundamentally split into different races say that there is no evidence that the races are related at all. Since each race has maintained its distinctive characteristics over long periods of time, they must be inherently different.
- Wallace himself believes that all of the modern races originated from an original homogenous race, which later split into various distinctive groups. He hypothesizes that the reason there has been no obvious change in the characteristics of the races is that natural selection stopped acting on them. Because human beings cooperate and help one another when they are vulnerable, the law of “survival of the fittest” no longer applies.
- Once natural selection stopped changing the physical characteristics of each race, (because of human cooperation) the only remaining factor which determined the victor in the “struggle for life” was intellect. Therefore, the most advanced races, (i.e. European races) would of course prevail over less developed races. Thus, the “superior” races were not always inherently dominant. They simply developed faster and more thoroughly, leaving them “more fit” for survival than their “savage” counterparts.
Francis Galton, one of Charles Darwin’s cousins created a system for comparing the intellects of various races. (See the footnote on page 225 for details.)
- Galton argued that intelligence is as much an advantage to an animal as physical strength or any other natural gift. Because Europeans were intellectually superior, and civilization is the fruit of intelligence, European civilization would naturally spread across the globe.
- Galton’s system for comparing the intellectual capabilities of the races was based on the number of people of that race who attained “eminence” relative to their total number. Of course, Galton determined what constituted “eminence.”
- Galton asserted that the “negro race” had produced very few capable people such as Toussaint l’Ouverture and would not even if they were the social equals of whites. Because of the inherent difference in the races’ intellects, Galton theorized that even a negro genius would not come close to the measure of an European genius. Interestingly, Galton placed the “Australian race” below the “negro race” in intellect. Galton saw the ancient Greeks as the most capable race because of their contributions to knowledge in relation to their small numbers.
- Finally, Galton stated that races went extinct when they were not able to compete with the “superior” incoming races. Galton saw the Native Americans in North America as a prime example of this phenomenon. Galton finished his essay with a plea to his fellow Englishmen to find a way to raise the average intelligence of his nation.
“Are humans one race or many?” His answer to that question demonstrates clearly the racist values of the late 1800s.
His answer follows as such:
- Those who believe in the unity of mankind as a single race use the wide variation of traits within each individual “race” and the overlap of those traits between races as evidence in support of their views. The fact that others cannot agree on how many independent races exist also bolsters the argument that mankind is a single race.
- Those who see mankind as fundamentally split into different races say that there is no evidence that the races are related at all. Since each race has maintained its distinctive characteristics over long periods of time, they must be inherently different.
- Wallace himself believes that all of the modern races originated from an original homogenous race, which later split into various distinctive groups. He hypothesizes that the reason there has been no obvious change in the characteristics of the races is that natural selection stopped acting on them. Because human beings cooperate and help one another when they are vulnerable, the law of “survival of the fittest” no longer applies.
- Once natural selection stopped changing the physical characteristics of each race, (because of human cooperation) the only remaining factor which determined the victor in the “struggle for life” was intellect. Therefore, the most advanced races, (i.e. European races) would of course prevail over less developed races. Thus, the “superior” races were not always inherently dominant. They simply developed faster and more thoroughly, leaving them “more fit” for survival than their “savage” counterparts.
Francis Galton, one of Charles Darwin’s cousins created a system for comparing the intellects of various races. (See the footnote on page 225 for details.)
- Galton argued that intelligence is as much an advantage to an animal as physical strength or any other natural gift. Because Europeans were intellectually superior, and civilization is the fruit of intelligence, European civilization would naturally spread across the globe.
- Galton’s system for comparing the intellectual capabilities of the races was based on the number of people of that race who attained “eminence” relative to their total number. Of course, Galton determined what constituted “eminence.”
- Galton asserted that the “negro race” had produced very few capable people such as Toussaint l’Ouverture and would not even if they were the social equals of whites. Because of the inherent difference in the races’ intellects, Galton theorized that even a negro genius would not come close to the measure of an European genius. Interestingly, Galton placed the “Australian race” below the “negro race” in intellect. Galton saw the ancient Greeks as the most capable race because of their contributions to knowledge in relation to their small numbers.
- Finally, Galton stated that races went extinct when they were not able to compete with the “superior” incoming races. Galton saw the Native Americans in North America as a prime example of this phenomenon. Galton finished his essay with a plea to his fellow Englishmen to find a way to raise the average intelligence of his nation.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Barack Obama Just Won the Election!
As I write this, the TV is playing in the background and I can hear the crowds in Chicago shouting their love for our soon-to-be president, Barack Obama. I just want to say that I'm really proud to be able to witness this event. Call it corny, call it trite; it's true.
A Portrait of Dilsey in Faulkner's Sound and Fury
The final section of The Sound and the Fury provides some semblance of closure through its portrayal of Dilsey as a model of integrity. Her actions are directly contrasted with the morally bankrupt Compson family. As readers, we have witnessed the deterioration of the Compson family, and our distaste for their actions is mirrored in Dilsey’s perspective. We have seen Benjy’s mental retardation, Caddy’s (arguable) recklessness, Quentin’s obsession with time, Jason’s irrational and bitter hatred, and Mother’s self-pity. Finally, we see Dilsey, the ideal human being filled with humble kindness and motherly compassion. She represents everything that the Compson family is not, and by contrast, what it should be. Dilsey goes beyond the call of duty to look after Benjy, even taking him to her church. She protects Quentin from Jason’s violence and acts as the last significant glue to hold the family together. Most tragically of all, she was forced to witness the corrosion of a family she truly cared for.
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