The Portrayal of Black African Societies and Their Developments in Henry Rider Haggard's She and Wilbur Smith's 'The Leopard Hunts in Darkness'.

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ABSTRACT

Dalam skripsi ini, saya akan menganalisis penggambaran masyarakat kulit hitam Afrika dan perkembangan mereka dalam novel karya Henry Rider Haggard yang berjudul She dan novel karya Wilbur Smith yang berjudul The Leopard Hunts in Darkness, serta penyebab-penyebab dari segala perubahan itu. Dalam

analisa ini saya menggunakan pendekatan pasca-kolonialisme.

Novel She memberi gambaran tentang kondisi masyarakat kulit hitam Afrika pada masa kolonial. Secara fisik, mereka digambarkan masih memiliki kehidupan yang primitif, dan secara budaya mereka mempraktekkan tradisi-tradisi yang dianggap aneh oleh orang-orang barat.

Novel The Leopard Hunts in Darkness menggambarkan kondisi masyarakat kulit hitam Afrika pada masa pasca-kolonisasi. Sekarang, baik secara fisik dan budaya, mereka digambarkan telah jauh lebih maju, dan mengikuti hampir segala aspek yang dimiliki oleh budaya barat.

Setelah melakukan analisa, saya menyimpulkan bahwa penyebab utama perubahan dan perkembangan masyarakat kulit hitam di Afrika adalah melemahnya rasa kesukuan mereka, dan hal itu menyebabkan pengaruh budaya lain lebih mudah masuk dan diterima. Hal ini juga menciptakan representasi yang bias dari mereka.

Universitas Kristen Maranatha

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APPENDICES

Synopsis of She

Ludwig Horace Holly, an Englishman from Cambridge, is asked by his friend Vincey to be a guardian for his son, Leo. Vincey then dies shortly afterwards and he has left his son a legacy in the form of an iron box, which can only be opened when he is twenty-five years old. Twenty years later, the box is opened, and its contents include Leo’s father’s letter and an explanation about their ancestor from Egypt, a priest named Kallikrates who fled to Africa with his wife Amenartas, and after a series of events, got killed by the queen of a savage tribe. The letter informs Leo that since then the descendants of Kallikrates have been trying to kill the person who murdered him, and now it is Leo’s turn to do it.

Soon Holly, Leo, and their servant Job travel to Africa to search for the queen. However, their ship is wrecked by a violent sea storm, leaving only the three of them and an Arab named Mahomed as survivors of the accident. Then they continue the journey through the vast land of Africa, and through numerous ordeals they finally manage to meet the tribe of Amahaggers, whose leader is none other than the woman they are searching for, the one who is called She. They live temporarily in one of the Amahaggers’ caves and get acquainted with a man named Billali and a girl named Ustane, who falls in love with Leo. Shortly afterwards, there is a clash between the western people and the Amahaggers, resulting in the death of Mahomed. To avoid further conflicts, they soon depart

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and finally are able to meet the queen, whose real name is Ayesha, a 2000-year-old woman who actually killed Kallikrates long ago.

The three people then live in Ayesha’s place for a while, getting perplexed by her amazing beauty and power. One day, Ayesha finds that Leo’s face is exactly the same as his ancestor Kallikrates’ face, and She declares that he is his reincarnation. It becomes clear later that Ayesha once loved Kallikrates but then killed him out of jealousy. She becomes emotional again, and causes her to kill Ustane, who is considered her rival. Apparently, Ustane is the reincarnation of Kallikrates’ wife, Amenartas, who managed to escape after Kallikrates has been killed.

Thinking that finally Kallikrates has returned to her, Ayesha then asks the three people to go to some place, where she will reveal the secret of her prolonged life and magical power. She then takes them into a cave in the mountain, a place which according to her, is the hermitage of a recluse named Noot. The place itself is hard to reach, but the team finally manage to get to the hidden spot, deep down in the mountain.

In the incredible place Ayesha shows them an astonishing pillar of flame which she calls the fountain of life, and which gave her power almost 2000 years ago. Her intention is to ask Leo to stand in the middle of the flame so as to receive the same power as she has, so that the two of them can marry and live forever as a couple who rule the entire world with their power.

However, before the ritual, Leo is scared seeing the pillar of flame and refuses to enter it. Ayesha then takes the initiative to enter the pillar of flame once again in order to renew her power once more and if possible to strengthen it to the maximum. When Ayesha enters it, however, her body shrinks and she finally dies

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instead of getting more power. Job dies from the terrible shock, while Holly and Leo eventually manage to escape from the mountain and return to England after going through a series of difficulties along the way.

Synopsis of The Leopard Hunts in Darkness

Craig Mellow, a writer who lives in New York, is asked by Henry Pickering, a representative of the World Bank, to go to Africa and check their investments. Craig agrees, and soon he flies to Zimbabwe, Africa, to survey the mentioned assets.

Later he meets with his old friend Tungata Zebiwe who doesn’t welcome him. Zebiwe is the leader of the Matabele tribe who has gained a good position in the government. Later he meets Peter Fungabera, who tells him that Tungata is a poacher who illegally hunts down elephants and other animals in the area. Then Peter asks Craig to help him catch Tungata in a set-up operation.

The trap works, and one night Tungata is caught by surprise. Thinking that every problem has been solved, Craig starts to finish his previous activity while planning a new one; he wants to settle down in Africa with a woman named Sally-Anne. He enjoys his new life just for a short while, then one day Peter Fungabera and his men storm Craig’s residence and falsely accused him guilty of several crimes.

Through fierce intimidations and threats, Craig is then forced to sign a paper saying that he is guilty of all accusations, and agrees to hand over King’s Lynn, his estate in Africa. Soon Craig learns that Peter Fungabera has planned this, because his efforts is to get close to Craig in order to obtain the estate for his own benefit.

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Although Peter Fungabera has already got what he wants, he intends to leave no witnesses alive, so that he orders the murder of both Craig and Sally-Anne. However, one of Fungabera’s men named Timon Nbebi helps the two instead of killing them as Fungabera has ordered him to do. Together, the three people then escape to Kalahari Desert, and in the end only Craig and Sally-Anne survive, while Timon dies defending them against the pursuers. However, before he dies, Timon Nbebi tells the two people that Peter Fungabera is the real master poacher in the area, and he captures Tungata Zebiwe so that he will not be an obstacle to him. He also tells them about the clashes between the two tribes, the Mashonas and the Matabeles.

Soon afterwards, Craig and Sally-Anne construct a plan to free Tungata Zebiwe and revenge themselves on Peter Fungabera. Through several clashes and with the help of the people of Matabele tribe, they finally manage to rescue Tungata. It is from him that they hear about Peter Fungabera’s next target, a forgotten treasure in the form of diamonds belonging to Tungata’s ancestors.

After a frantic journey and search, they eventually manage to discover the place where the valuable treasure is hidden, and they try to recover it before Peter Fungabera does. Meanwhile, Peter Fungabera takes the easy way to find the exact spot of the treasures by asking the members of the tribe who guard it. He even tortures several black Africans cruelly until one of them can’t stand it and tells him where the treasure is. However, knowing that Craig and companions are already there, he decides to seal the entrance in hope that they will be trapped inside. After working hard, however, Craig and the others manage to get out of the caves, steal a helicopter, forcefully abduct Peter Fungabera, and reveal all his crimes to end his reign. The story ends with the condition that Tungata Zebiwe

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regains his credibility among the tribes, while Craig and Sally-Anne regain their properties and eventually settle down in their estate.

Biography of Henry Rider Haggard

Henry Rider Haggard was born in West Bradenham Hall, Norfolk, as the son of William Haggard and Ella (Doventon) Haggard. He was educated privately at a London day-school, and also Ipswich Grammar School. Later he married a Norfolk heiress, Mariana Louisa Margitson. They moved to Transvaal afterwards.

Haggard is a prolific English writer, who published great novels which are set in Africa. One of his most famous adventure novels is King Solomon’s Mine, which is inspired by the famous novel Treasure Island written by Robert Louis Stevenson.

During his years in Africa, Haggard got acquainted with Zulu culture. He also had an affair with an African woman, and conducted a deep relationship with her. He is also the author of the adventure novel Allan Quatermain.

Biography of Wilbur Smith

Wilbur Smith is a full-time writer who was born in Zambia, and has lived all his life in Africa. He is a master storyteller, and a bestselling author of adventure fiction novels such as The Elephant Song and The Sound of Thunder. His novels show diverse surroundings, detailed stories, and realism. He also has abundance of power in his words. Some of Smith’s discussions in his novels include African tribalism, capitalism, and colonialism. Smith also financed expeditions to Africa and Alaska.

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

As one of the six continents in the planet, Africa was called the “dark continent” in the past, due to the world’s lack of knowledge about its realm. Nowadays, however, as the growing technology and science significantly assist people in their exploration and exploitation, almost all the features provided by the exotic land are finally revealed, especially its fascinating landscapes and assorted inhabitants, which are described quite noticeably in the novels discussed in this thesis.

I have chosen to discuss the portrayal of black African societies in the novels She by Henry Rider Haggard and The Leopard Hunts in Darkness by Wilbur Smith, which contain vivid and detailed descriptions of black African societies. The two novels are concerned with different literary eras, colonial and post-colonial ones, and I expect to get a deep insight into the developments of the black African societies in the two different eras, which seemingly cannot be found so obviously in other genres.

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As for the authors’ significance, which is also the main reason why I have chosen their works, Henry Rider Haggard is a prolific English writer , who once got acquainted with the Zulu culture in Africa, and is the author of thirty-four well-known adventure novels, including the romantic adventure tale King Solomon’s Mines and Allan Quatermain

(http://www.classicreader.com/author.php/aut.22), while Wilbur Smith is also a

bestselling author of adventure fiction

(http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0810335/bio); he is a writer with an abundance

of power in his words. (http://www.gnooks.com/discussion/wilbur+smith.html). The two novels, She and The Leopard Hunts in Darkness, are chosen because of their quite comparable aspects, including the dissimilar portrayals and the developments of the black African societies, which makes it necessary to analyze the setting of the stories, and other aspects such as the portrayal of African cultures.

Considering the captivating contrasting aspects, I decide to analyze the differences in the depictions of the black African societies in both works, which are the results of the changes and developments in the colonial and post-colonial eras. I find that there are some deviating descriptions of the black African societies in the novels that cannot be simply ignored in viewing the two novels. I find it interesting to compare them in order to reveal the two different views on the black African societies.

I choose the Post-colonial Approach to analyze the portrayal of the black African societies in the novels, as I find it effective in finding the particular differences in the portrayal of the black African societies.

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Post-colonialism is ‘…a term which refers to a broader understanding of the modern representations of race and ethnicity and the history of these representations.’ (http://www.adamranson.freeserve.co.uk/postcolonialism.htm).

The quotation shows that the post-colonial approach deals with changes of representations.

In analyzing the black African societies, I also refer to some elements of post-colonialism. I learn that ‘…the Nations created by the end of Empire have been irrevocably altered by the experience of Colonisation (Culturally, Politically &Economically)...’(http://www.adamranson.freeserve.co.uk/postcolonialism.htm).

The quotation refers to some general elements of post-colonialism which concern various changes in their representations. Those changes are mainly caused by the long-term experiences of colonization, including the colonizers’ influences in the related issues (culture, politics and economy).

Furthermore, to support my analysis of the portrayal of the black African societies in the novels, I would also like to refer to another element of Post-colonialism, ‘Post-colonialism deals with many issues for societies that have undergone colonialism: the dilemmas of developing a national identity,…’

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-colonialism). This particular element makes me

learn that the colonized people also have problems in developing their own identity in the post-colonial era.

To sum up, the elements of post-colonialism that I refer to are the various changes in the colonized people’s representations and their problems to develop an identity in the post-colonial era. Based on those particular elements, I would like to analyze the portrayal of the black African societies in the novels, including

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their physical and mental developments and the various changes of their representations in the colonial and post-colonial eras. In referring to them, I would also analyze both the internal and external aspects which become the reasons why such changes and developments can inevitably occur in the black African societies described in the novels.

Statement of the Problem

1. How do the authors portray the African societies in the novels?

2. What are the developments and differences in the portrayal of the black African societies found in both novels?

3. Why are there differences in the representations of the African societies found in both novels?

Purpose of the Study

1. To describe how the authors portray the black African societies in the novels.

2. To define the developments and differences in the portrayal of the black African societies in both novels.

3. To show the main reasons for the differences in the representations of the black African societies in both novels.

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Method of Research

I use library research in carrying out my study. I read She and The Leopard Hunts in Darkness as the primary texts, and then read several references that are

relevant to the topic being discussed. I also read the biographies of the authors. I then analyze the portrayal of the black African societies in the two novels by using the primary texts and references to support my analysis. Finally, I draw a conclusion from my analysis.

Organization of the Thesis

I organize my thesis into three chapters. I begin with Chapter One, the Introduction, which contains the Background of the Study, Statement of the Problem, and Purpose of the Study. Chapter Two contains a comparison of the contrasting portrayal and developments of African societies in the novel She and in the novel The Leopard Hunts in Darkness. The last chapter is the Conclusion, which contains the analysis of the major causes of the differences in the portrayal and representations of the African societies in the two novels. The thesis ends with the Bibliography and the Appendix, which contains the synopses of the novels and the biographies of the authors.

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CHAPTER THREE

CONCLUSION

The black African societies consist of many tribes who were colonized by the western people during the colonial era, and were liberated in the post-colonial era, thus gaining their own political independence. There are, however, lots of things changed and developed in the representation of the black African societies over the years, due to various reasons. These changes and developments in the black African societies in the novels are analyzed, using the post-colonial approach, which mainly concerns the representation of the black African people in the two eras.

The first changing and developing aspect is their physical portrayal. In the novel She, which is set in the colonial era, the black African societies are described as leading a primordial life compared to the western people. Practically every aspect of their life, including their dwelling places and fashion style, is portrayed as primitive. The black African people are described as living in caves, wearing simple, not-fabricated leather clothing, and utilizing simple tools in their daily lives, mainly for cultivating their land and fulfilling their basic daily needs only. It is described that none of them have ever seen fabricated clothing,

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modern devices and weaponry, such as guns, which are owned by the western people who come into their societies.

From the discussion above, I conclude that the black African societies in the novel She, which is set in colonial era, still live in primitiveness and simplicity, and do not get many influences from the western colonizers in terms of physical aspects.

However, in the novel The Leopard Hunts in Darkness, the black African societies, still divided into tribes, are portrayed as being far more advanced physically. They live in houses, not caves, and they utilized modern stuff such as cigarettes and fabricated, stylish clothing, as well as weapons and handy devices such as the telephone and the tractor. In other words, they have already familiarized themselves with western-made products which symbolizes the influences of global modernization on the black African societies.

Therefore, I conclude that the black African societies in the novel The Leopard Hunts in Darkness are generally physically modernized due to the

colonizers’ influences in the past.

Comparing the portrayal of the black African societies in the two novels, I conclude that there are significant physical changes in the black African societies between colonial and post-colonial eras, which mainly concern developments in their general lifestyles, including the improvements in their dwelling places, fashion styles, devices and furniture.

In the matter of culture, the black African societies have also undergone significant changes. Influences on cultural aspects are indeed unavoidable as parts of global modernization of the black African societies.

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In the novel She, the black African societies are portrayed as having weird and unusual customs and cultures in the eyes of the western people who colonized them, corresponding to their physical aspects. The female members of the Amahagger tribe are portrayed as having a higher position than men in the black African society. Therefore, the marital bonds are practically determined by the women, as they are the ones who choose their husbands. They are free to do this as they please; furthermore, they are also free to change their husbands as many times as they please. Strangely enough, it is described in the novel that there are very few or no quarrels at all among the members of the tribe about this “switching” husband system. This particular custom is considered strange by the western people, because the system that they follow in their societies is different.

The other customs, which include the vulgar practice of cannibalism and the primitive and unwritten laws which allow inhumane punishments, are other examples to show that the black African society is portrayed less civilized than the western people.

In the novel The Leopard Hunts in Darkness, however, the black African societies are portrayed as having far more civilized customs and cultures, and most of them are derived from the western culture. Men have a higher position in the societies, which implies the newly applied patrilineal system. There are no more actions of cannibalism, and the laws are changed into constitutional and written ones following the western examples.

From the discussion, I conclude that the western influences have penetrated deep into the black African societies, and eventually make their their fundamental customs and cultures become similar to the western ones. The

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process itself was started in the colonial era, and when the colonization stopped in the post-colonial era, the intrusions had reached such a condition that the black African societies now adopt and apply their past colonizers’ customs and cultures in their lives.

The sense of tribalism among the black African societies in the novel She is still strong, so strong that they are portrayed as being one solid tribe and are unlikely to be shaken or deeply influenced by external factors such as western customs so as to start any clashes.

However, in the novel The Leopard Hunts in Darkness, the black African societies are portrayed as having a weak sense of tribalism. It is portrayed that there are disagreements and clashes among the members of the tribe, and also among tribes.

From this condition, I conclude that the sense of tribalism of the black African societies have degenerated in the post-colonial era, because the black African people are no longer colonized, and their strong tribal bond has weakened. This condition, along with the unavoidable globalization and modernization that they experience, causes many disagreements and clashes in the black African societies.

I conclude that there are changes and developments in the portrayal of the black African societies in the two novels, She and The Leopard Hunts in Darkness, which concern many physical and cultural aspects. In the novel She, the

black African societies are described as living primitively, with all kinds of uncivilized customs and a strong sense of tribalism, while in the novel The Leopard Hunts in Darkness, the condition of the black African societies is

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portrayed in contrast with their past condition. In the former condition, they have more advanced standard of living, following the western standard.

In my opinion, the application of the post-colonial approach is very significant in analyzing the portrayal of black African societies in the two novels, She and The Leopard Hunts in Darkness. By using this approach, I can show that

the changes in the portrayal of the black African societies in the second novel are caused by their adaptation to the western culture and way of life. In the colonial times, the black African societies did not seem to care much about the western culture, but the long-term colonization, which also means long-term relationships with the western people, have inevitably affected them. Therefore, in the post-colonial era, the black African people unconsciously care about the western culture which has already influenced their culture in the societies, and they apply it in their daily lives. Moreover, due to the weakening sense of tribalism among the black African societies, they are even more gullible to outsiders’ influences, and this condition makes the changes and developments get even easier to take place.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

References:

Barry, Peter. Beginning Theory. New York: Manchester University Press, 2002.

Internet Sites:

Biography for Wilbur Smith. 1990-2006. Internet Movie Database Inc. 16 March 2006

<http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0810335/bio>.

Dicussion: Wilbur Smith. 16 March 2006.

<http://www.gnooks.com/discussion/wilbur+smith.html>.

H. Rider Haggard. 2001, 2005. Blackdog Media. 16 March 2006

<http://www.classicreader.com/author.php/aut.22>.

Post Colonialism. Film Communication Media. Filton College. 16 March 2006

<http://www.adamranson.freeserve.co.uk/postcolonialism.htm>.

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Post-colonialism. 26 February 2006. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 16 March 2006

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-colonialism>.

Primary Texts:

Haggard, H. Rider. She. New York: Penguin Popular Classics, 1994.

Smith, Wilbur. The Leopard Hunts in Darkness. New York: Ballantine Books, 1990.