T4 - Hobson, Orwell, and Achebe

What is the text structure of "Imperialism: A Study"?

A critique of imperialism, underpinned by economic theory and political analysis

Character archetypes 1

- The Exploiter: Hobson frequently critiques the financiers and business magnates who invest in colonial ventures, highlighting their role in perpetuating inequality.

- The Politician: Hobson describes how governments justify imperialism with arguments about national security, civilization, or economic necessity, masking the true motives.

- The Colonized People: Hobson critiques the moral and economic harm inflicted on colonized societies, highlighting their resistance and suffering.

- The Imperialist Advocate: Hobson dissects the rhetoric of the "civilizing mission," revealing how these figures distort reality to gain public support for imperialism.

Situational archetypes 1

- Journey: The imperial powers' expansion into foreign lands is depicted as both a literal and metaphorical "journey into darkness," where greed leads to exploitation and moral degradation.

- Fall: Hobson critiques how imperialist nations, despite their claims of civilization and progress, fall into moral and economic corruption through their exploitation of colonies.

- The Quest: The imperial powers are on a "quest" for new markets, resources, and economic opportunities, driven by overaccumulation of capital and economic stagnation at home.

1902

What year was "Imperialism: A Study" published?

Action develops from conflict 1

- Hobson identifies the fundamental economic tension between the overaccumulation of capital in industrialized nations and the limited capacity of domestic markets to absorb this surplus.

- Capitalists seek overseas markets, investments, and resources to resolve this economic imbalance. Governments are pressured to adopt imperialist policies to secure colonies as outlets for surplus production and capital.

Problems characters face 1

- Hobson argues that financial elites face the challenge of finding new markets and resources to sustain their wealth in industrialized nations with limited consumption. Politicians must justify costly and ethically questionable imperial ventures to taxpayers and voters, often through propaganda.

Are these problems solved? 1

- the problems he identifies are not fully solved by the end of the book. Hobson presents a critical analysis of imperialism and its causes, but he does not offer a definitive resolution for all the challenges he outlines

Important statements 1

- "Here then is the theory that Britons are race endowed, like the Romans... we are accomplishing this work"

- "Of the three hundred and sixty-seven millions... legislation and administration"

- "The representative element.... Outnumber the non-elected element" - "Where British government is real... it is not real"

Main themes 1

- Economic Motives Behind Imperialism, The Exploitation of the Working Class, The Moral and Ethical Corruption of Imperialism, The Illusion of Imperialism as a "Solution," The Impact of Imperialism on Colonized Peoples, The Role of Financial Elites in Imperial Expansion, and Nationalism and Imperialism

Symbols 1

- Surplus capital symbolizes the excess wealth generated by industrialized nations that cannot be reinvested within their own economies.

- The comparison of imperialism to feudalism symbolizes the concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a small elite.

- The "idyllic ideal" symbolizes the ideological justification for imperialism, often framed as a benevolent, civilizing mission.

- "Boosterism" symbolizes the nationalistic and jingoistic fervor used to garner public support for imperialist policies.

Contemporary connections 1

- Hobson's critique of imperialism is highly relevant today in the context of neocolonialism. The notion that powerful countries use financial means, such as debt dependency or foreign investment, to control less-developed nations, mirrors Hobson's arguments about the economic motivations behind imperialism. Modern multinational corporations and international financial institutions (such as the IMF and World Bank) are often accused of exploiting developing countries in a way similar to the imperial practices Hobson described.

What is the text structure of Shooting an Elephant?

- A narrative, interspersed with reflective and argumentative elements

Character archetypes 2 (1)

- The Reluctant Hero (Orwell himself): Orwell, as a reluctant hero, embodies the internal conflict of a colonial officer torn between his moral convictions and the expectations of imperial authority. His hesitation to shoot the elephant highlights his struggle with the oppressive system he represents and the pressure to conform to societal demands.

- The Oppressed (The Burmese people): The Burmese people collectively represent the archetype of the oppressed, living under British colonial rule and subject to its authority. Although passive in the incident, their presence and expectations influence Orwell's actions, highlighting their indirect power over him.

Character archetypes 2 (2)

- The Authority Figure (The British Empire/Colonial Power): Orwell symbolizes the authoritative figure of the British Empire, embodying its control over Burma. However, his constrained authority, driven by local expectations and his own moral conflict, exposes the fragile and hollow nature of colonial power.

- The Innocent/Tragic Figure (The Elephant): The elephant symbolizes an innocent victim, forced into violence by external circumstances, mirroring the tragic consequences of colonialism. Its slow death represents the suffering and futility ingrained in the colonial system.

Situational archetypes 2

- The Journey: The narrator embarks on a metaphorical journey of self-awareness, confronting the moral and ethical complexities of colonialism. His reflection on the act of shooting the elephant reveals the compromises and conflicts inherent in oppressive systems.

- The Initiation: The narrator undergoes a reluctant initiation into the harsh realities of colonialism, confronting its complexities and injustices. His act of shooting the elephant symbolizes his painful realization of the contradictions in power, control, and obedience.

- The Fall: The narrator's fall is a moral and ethical descent, driven by the conflict between his values and societal pressures. His decision to shoot the elephant symbolizes his surrender to external expectations, marking a loss of idealism and moral integrity.

1936

What year was "Shooting An Elephant" published?

Action develops from conflict 2

- The action develops from the narrator's internal conflict between his moral conscience and the pressure to uphold colonial authority. Faced with the expectations of the Burmese crowd, he feels compelled to shoot the elephant, despite knowing it is unnecessary and wrong. This decision leads to the tragic outcome, where the narrator's forced compliance with the crowd's demands highlights the moral consequences of colonial power and the loss of personal agency.

Summary 1 (2)

- In Moulmein, Burma, the narrator, a British police officer, FACED INTENSE HOSTILITY from the LOCAL POPULATION, which caused him SIGNIFICANT STRESS, especially given his own GROWING HATRED of imperialism. He DISLIKED HIS JOB, witnessing the BRUTALITY of the EMPIRE firsthand, but felt TRAPPED BETWEEN his DISDAIN for the British Empire and his ANGER at the BURMESE PEOPLE who ANTAGONIZED HIM. One day, he was CALLED to DEAL WITH a RAMPAGING ELEPHANT that had ESCAPED and WREAKED HAVOC in the TOWN, setting the STAGE for a CRITICAL TURNING POINT in his UNDERSTANDING of IMPERIALISM.

Summary 3 (2)

The narrator RELUCTANTLY PREPARES to SHOOT the ELEPHANT, knowing it is UNNECESSARY but FEELING PRESSURED by the CROWD'S EXPECTATIONS. As he FIRES the FIRST SHOT, he WITNESSES the elephant's PAINFUL, SLOW COLLAPSE, which TRANSFORMS from a CALM CREATURE to one SUFFERING in AGONY. The elephant's FINAL MOMENTS, as it FALLS and TRUMPETS, evoke a sense of TRAGIC FUTILITY, highlighting the NARRATOR'S INNER CONFLICT and the DESTRUCTIVE CONSEQUENCES of COLONIAL EXPECTATIONS.

Summary 2 (2)

In a POOR, CROWDED QUARTER of Moulmein, the narrator, ACCOMPANIED by a FEW OFFICERS, learns that a RAMPAGING ELEPHANT has KILLED a MAN, and they set out to FIND IT. When the narrator FINALLY ENCOUNTERS the ELEPHANT, he realizes it is NOT a THREAT and DECIDES he should NOT SHOOT IT, as the ANIMAL is CALM and its "must" PHASE SEEMS to be PASSING. However, the GROWING CROWD of two thousand Burmese, EAGER for the SPECTACLE of the ELEPHANT'S DEATH, PRESSURES HIM into SHOOTING the ANIMAL to AVOID HUMILIATION and to UPHOLD his ROLE as a "sahib," revealing the HOLLOW, OPPRESSIVE NATURE of COLONIAL RULE.

Summary 4 (2)

AFTER the ELEPHANT is SHOT, it remains ALIVE and SUFFERING, breathing PAINFULLY for a LONG TIME, and the narrator FIRES SEVERAL MORE SHOTS in a FUTILE ATTEMPT to END its LIFE. The slow, AGONIZING DEATH of the elephant becomes UNBEARABLE for HIM, and when HE LEAVES, the Burmese QUICKLY STRIP its BODY. The narrator REFLECTS on the MIXED OPINIONS about the SHOOTING, noting that he SHOT THE ELEPHANT not out of NECESSITY, but to AVOID BEING RIDICULED, highlighting the PRESSURE of MAINTAINING COLONIAL AUTHORITY.

Problems characters face 2

- The narrator faces a moral dilemma between his personal conscience and the pressure to conform to colonial expectations. He struggles with the external pressure from the Burmese crowd, who expect him to act decisively and assert his authority. Additionally, the narrator grapples with the inherent powerlessness of his position as a colonial officer, where his actions are dictated by the oppressive system rather than his own beliefs.

Are these problems solved? 2

- No, the problems in Shooting an Elephant are not fully solved. The narrator's internal moral conflict remains unresolved, as he is forced to act against his conscience to maintain his authority and avoid humiliation.

Important statements 2

- "All this was perplexing and upsetting. For at that time I had already made up my mind that imperialism was an evil thing and the sooner I chucked up my job and got out of it the better. Theoretically--and secretly, of course--I was all for the Burmese and all against their oppressors, the British."

"I perceived in this moment that when the white man turns tyrant it is his own freedom that he destroys. He becomes a sort of hollow, posing dummy, the conventionalized figure of a sahib. For it is the condition of his rule that he shall spend his life in trying to impress the "natives," and so in every crisis he has got to do what the "natives" expect of him. He wears a mask, and his face grows to fit it."

Main themes 2

- Imperialism and Colonialism, Moral Conflict, Power and Authority, Identity and Self-Perception, Hypocrisy and Compromise, Guilt and Regret, and Freedom and Oppression

Symbols 2 (1)

- The Elephant: The elephant in the story represents both the colonial power and the tensions of British imperialism. Initially, the elephant seems harmless, but it becomes destructive and uncontrollable, symbolizing how the empire is no longer easily managed or controlled. The elephant's unpredictable behavior reflects the chaotic and burdensome nature of imperial rule. Additionally, the elephant symbolizes the colonial subjects, as it is a creature that is both alien to the British officer and a source of disruption to the local community.

- The British Officer (Orwell's Narrator): The narrator, a British colonial officer, symbolizes the contradictory nature of imperial power. While he holds authority over the Burmese people, he feels powerless to act according to his personal beliefs, as he is constrained by the expectations of both the colonizers and the colonized. His internal struggle reflects the oppressive nature of colonialism, in which both the colonizer and the colonized are trapped in a web of power dynamics and societal pressures.

Symbols 2 (2)

- The Rifle: The rifle used by the narrator to shoot the elephant symbolizes the power that imperialists have over their colonies, but also the destructive consequences of this power. The rifle is a tool of enforcement, yet the narrator's hesitation to use it represents his moral dilemma and growing awareness of the wrongfulness of his actions. The rifle is also a symbol of violence, authority, and the inevitability of oppression in imperialism.

- The Crowd: The Burmese crowd that watches the shooting of the elephant symbolizes the pressure and expectations that the colonized people have on the colonial officer. They expect him to take action, yet at the same time, they are spectators, removed from the moral implications of his decision. The crowd also reflects the complex dynamic of colonizer and colonized; the officer is both a figure of authority and someone who is controlled by the desires of the local population.

Contemporary connections 2

- "Shooting an Elephant" connects to contemporary issues of power and authority, reflecting how leaders today may feel pressured to conform to public expectations, even at the expense of ethical considerations. The story also parallels modern imperialism and its impacts, highlighting the destructive nature of unchecked power and the exploitation of weaker nations or communities. Additionally, the symbolic death of the elephant speaks to environmental concerns, where short-term actions often harm long-term global sustainability for the sake of maintaining control or satisfying external pressures

What is the text structure of Things Fall Apart?

- A linear narrative, divided into three distinct parts. The first part introduces the protagonist, Okonkwo, his family, and the customs of the Igbo society, establishing the cultural context. The second part focuses on the arrival of British colonizers and Christian missionaries, highlighting the tension between traditional Igbo values and foreign influence. The third part deals with Okonkwo's personal and community struggles, culminating in his tragic demise, reflecting the collapse of both his personal world and the Igbo society under colonial pressure.

Character archetypes 3

- Okonkwo embodies the tragic hero archetype, driven by ambition and pride but doomed by his inability to adapt to change. Nwoye represents the reluctant hero archetype, torn between his father's harshness and the appeal of a new belief system that offers him a sense of belonging. Ezinma serves as the wise guide archetype, often providing insight and understanding, though she remains caught within the limitations of her gender in Igbo society.

Situational archetypes 3

- In Things Fall Apart, one key situational archetype is the hero's journey, embodied by Okonkwo's rise to power and eventual fall, driven by his desire to prove himself and preserve his honor. Another archetype is the fall from grace, as Okonkwo's rigid adherence to traditional values leads to his downfall when he cannot adapt to the changing world brought by colonialism. The tragic hero archetype also appears, where Okonkwo's strengths, such as his ambition and strength, ultimately lead to his tragic end.

1958

What year was Things Fall Apart published?

Action develops from conflict 3

- In Things Fall Apart, action unfolds as Okonkwo's internal and external conflicts drive the plot, particularly his struggle to distance himself from his father's legacy and his harsh treatment of his family. The arrival of Christian missionaries and British colonial authorities intensifies the community's conflict, leading to a clash between traditional Igbo values and foreign influences. Okonkwo's personal and cultural struggles culminate in his tragic demise, as he cannot reconcile his identity with the rapidly changing world around him.

Summary 1 (Chapters 1-5) (3)

- the story introduces Okonkwo, a respected and ambitious leader in the Igbo village of Umuofia, known for his physical strength and disdain for his father's laziness. Through flashbacks and present events, we learn about Igbo customs, Okonkwo's harsh treatment of his family, and his efforts to distance himself from his father's failure. The arrival of a boy, Ikemefuna, as part of a peace settlement between villages adds complexity to Okonkwo's household, setting the stage for future tensions.

Summary 2 (Chapters 6-10) (3)

the story delves deeper into the Igbo community's traditions, including a wrestling match and the role of the egwugwu, masked ancestral spirits who mediate disputes. Tensions grow as Ikemefuna, living with Okonkwo's family, becomes close to Nwoye, Okonkwo's son, influencing him in positive ways that Okonkwo admires but hesitates to show. However, a chilling prophecy foretells Ikemefuna's fate, heightening the story's suspense and foreshadowing tragedy.

Summary 3 (Chapters 11-15) (3)

- the narrative shifts to explore the lives of the women in the village, particularly through the story of Ekwefi, Okonkwo's second wife, and her relationship with her daughter Ezinma. The village's customs are further highlighted, including a traditional folktale told by Ekwefi and the village's gathering at the Oracle to seek guidance. The tragic death of Ikemefuna, who is killed at the village's orders, marks a turning point, as Okonkwo's internal conflict and the unraveling of his relationship with Nwoye deepen.

Summary 4 (Chapters 16-20) (3)

- the village of Umuofia is introduced to the influence of Christian missionaries, who begin to establish a church and gain followers, including some members of the Igbo community. Okonkwo struggles with the changes brought by the arrival of the missionaries, feeling increasingly alienated as his son Nwoye is drawn to Christianity. Tensions escalate when a convert, Enoch, desecrates an egwugwu during a religious festival, leading to a violent confrontation between the villagers and the missionaries, marking a significant clash between traditional Igbo beliefs and the new religion.

Summary 5 (Chapters 21-25) (3)

- the arrival of British colonial authorities intensifies the tension between the Igbo community and the encroaching European influence. Okonkwo and the other leaders of Umuofia are humiliated when they are tricked and imprisoned by the British, leading to the destruction of their traditional power structures. The final chapter sees Okonkwo's tragic downfall, as he takes his own life in despair, unable to reconcile his world with the changes brought by colonialism and the loss of his cultural identity.

Problems characters face 3

- Okonkwo faces INTERNAL CONFLICT and EXTERNAL PRESSURE as he struggles to maintain his strength and traditional values while dealing with the changing dynamics of his society. Nwoye, Okonkwo's son, grapples with his father's harshness and is drawn to Christianity, causing a rift between them. The Igbo community as a whole faces the threat of colonization and the destruction of their culture, as they confront the missionaries and the British colonial government's imposition of new laws and beliefs.

Are these problems solved? 3

The problems are largely unresolved, highlighting the tragic consequences of cultural clash and personal conflict.

Important statements 3

"Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond. His fame rested on solid personal achievements; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; The world is like a mask dancing. If you want to see it well, you do not stand in one place; "When the moon is shining the cripple becomes hungry for a walk; He who brings kola brings life; There is no story that is not true."

Main themes 3

Colonialism, Tradition vs. Change, Fate and Free Will, Masculinity and Strength, Identity and Cultural Conflict, Family and Relationships, Religion and Belief, and Power and Leadership

Symbols 3

- Yam - Represents wealth, masculinity, and the importance of hard work in Igbo society.

- The Igbo Proverbs - Symbolize wisdom, culture, and the way of life of the Igbo people.

- The Locusts - Foreshadow the arrival of the colonizers and symbolize the destructive forces they bring.

- The Oracle - Represents spiritual authority and the role of religion in guiding the community.

- The Cycle of Seasons - Symbolizes the rhythms of life and the connection to the land and tradition.

- Okonkwo's Gun - Represents his pride, power, and ultimately his tragic downfall.

- Ezinma's Ojuigo (Clay Pot) - Represents the fragility and value of life, particularly for Okonkwo's beloved daughter.

Contemporary connections 3

- Things Fall Apart offers contemporary connections through its exploration of colonialism and cultural conflict, which mirrors ongoing global struggles between indigenous cultures and foreign influences. The novel's examination of gender roles and expectations resonates with current discussions around masculinity, power, and societal norms. Additionally, the tensions between traditional beliefs and new religions reflect modern religious conflicts and the impact of globalization on cultural identity.