H. Rider Haggard's The Imperialism in King Solomon's Mines: A Colonial Study

Abstract

In order to support a false narrative, this thesis will examine how African indigenous communities are portrayed in the movie "King Solomon's Mine" via the prism of imperialism and post-colonialism. This scholarly essay claims that British novelist H. Rider Haggard intended for "King Solomon's Mines" to depict African people as strange, helpless, cannibalistic, and primitive. The establishment of the British imperial administration saw Haggard included as a member. Furthermore, indigenous African communities have faced vilification, mockery, and the claim that their customs and lifestyles hold no value. This has led to the perception of these individuals as though they were devoid of existence. This study aims to explore the rationale behind the author's portrayal of characters from the English language as the dominant "self", while depicting African natives as the subordinate, primitive, and barbaric "others". Edward Said first used the term "Orientalism" to describe the Western practice of creating a skewed and stereotyped image of the East, especially the Middle East and North Africa, in literature, art, and scholarly discourse through a variety of representational techniques. The notion that Western civilization holds superiority is underscored by the representation of the East in this artwork, which illustrates the East as enigmatic, static, and devoid of refinement. Numerous literary works, including "King Solomon's Mines," have faced scrutiny for reinforcing notions that have historically been used to justify colonial and imperial endeavours. This image has been employed to justify these historical practices on numerous instances. This arises from the novel's persistent focus on the pronounced distinction between the English self and the African other (Hler). This article aims to examine the manifestations of colonialism and colorism within English literature, focusing on "King Solomon's Mines" alongside other notable works like "Heart of Darkness" and "Ice Candy Man". They highlight the significance of these themes by showing how English literature has historically and still does reinforce and perpetuate them inequalities and power dynamics among diverse cultural and ethnic groups. By analyzing the themes of colorism and colonialism within literary texts, one can gain a deeper understanding of how these concepts have shaped and continue to shape cultural beliefs and attitudes.