Reader's Journal: King Solomon's Mines (7-15)
••• They eat raw meat; what does that mean? They’ve just crossed the “breast’s nipple,” and are now officially on the “other side” of the main barrier dividing England/civilization and the “savage” African country/jungle (except that nature isn’t a character and doesn’t play such a huge part in this novel, like Heart of Darkness). And they eat the heart and liver of the animal (large antelopes: zebras?); the life-force and “filter” of the animal. They do, however, rinse if off and cool it down before eating it (taking some of the primal savagery out; pretense of cooking, the “civilized” way of doing things?). •••
They’re trying to keep up a “gentlemanly” way of doing things, like keeping trousers, eyeglasses, shaving, etc. But sometimes they do laugh or criticize attempts at complete neatness. Alan remarks that it was foolish, at the beginning of the journey, that Good remained in trousers while hunting elephants, rather than changing into more practical clothing. And he almost laughs when he sees that Good is going to attempt shaving right before the Africans come upon them. At this point, he also sort of mocks Good’s over-neatness and obsession with his hair/appearance in general.
••• It’s so interesting that, when speaking in the language of Infadoos and the other Africans, the “English” is more refined/old-style. They use “ye, thee,” “Ye will see, O friends,” etc. It seems much more proper than the narration and those parts where the white men are speaking to each other in English, but you’d expect that Haggard would have written it to sound less educated. Perhaps he’s simply emphasizing/trying to give the impression that the language is old and “out-dated”? •••
There’s always the idea of things that have been around/traditions/etc. since before anyone can remember. The road is Egyptian/covered in hieroglyphics, none of the Africans know about who/when the road was built, except Gagool. The Kukuanas have been in the valley since before anyone can remember; there are traditions from years ago (the tradition about killing the young girl is even too old for the African king before Twala to have paid attention to it).
••• The only reason the women are “handsome” is because they resemble English women more than most Africans. It also seems that the only reason Umbopa is considered respectable is because he agrees with everything the white men say; he gives way to them entirely. He’s “sensible enough” to see the truth in what they say, so he’s accepted. •••
“The lips were as thick as a Negro’s.” This from p. 127, when he’s describing Twala. Twala is described in such an inhuman fashion, it’s unbelievable. Instead of saying “his legs,” “his lips,” or even “its arms,” Alan uses “the lips.” And isn’t he a “Negro”?
••• Whatever happens to the gun Twala receives as a gift? Why doesn’t he ever use it? •••
What’s the deal with Gagool?
••• Haggard is fascinated with violence. He explains the witch-hunt with such energy that it’s even hard to imagine now, when violence is commonplace. He devotes an entire chapter to an almost unnecessary event, and makes it a massive slaughter of hundreds rather than just a few people. He gets away with it, because he has the white men act appalled and protest against the injustice. But the fact of the matter is that it came out of his imagination. •••
Moon: big deal. Beautiful sight on the way to Kukuanaland, eclipse, witch-hunt, “moon beautiful,” etc. Moon = woman.
They’re trying to keep up a “gentlemanly” way of doing things, like keeping trousers, eyeglasses, shaving, etc. But sometimes they do laugh or criticize attempts at complete neatness. Alan remarks that it was foolish, at the beginning of the journey, that Good remained in trousers while hunting elephants, rather than changing into more practical clothing. And he almost laughs when he sees that Good is going to attempt shaving right before the Africans come upon them. At this point, he also sort of mocks Good’s over-neatness and obsession with his hair/appearance in general.
••• It’s so interesting that, when speaking in the language of Infadoos and the other Africans, the “English” is more refined/old-style. They use “ye, thee,” “Ye will see, O friends,” etc. It seems much more proper than the narration and those parts where the white men are speaking to each other in English, but you’d expect that Haggard would have written it to sound less educated. Perhaps he’s simply emphasizing/trying to give the impression that the language is old and “out-dated”? •••
There’s always the idea of things that have been around/traditions/etc. since before anyone can remember. The road is Egyptian/covered in hieroglyphics, none of the Africans know about who/when the road was built, except Gagool. The Kukuanas have been in the valley since before anyone can remember; there are traditions from years ago (the tradition about killing the young girl is even too old for the African king before Twala to have paid attention to it).
••• The only reason the women are “handsome” is because they resemble English women more than most Africans. It also seems that the only reason Umbopa is considered respectable is because he agrees with everything the white men say; he gives way to them entirely. He’s “sensible enough” to see the truth in what they say, so he’s accepted. •••
“The lips were as thick as a Negro’s.” This from p. 127, when he’s describing Twala. Twala is described in such an inhuman fashion, it’s unbelievable. Instead of saying “his legs,” “his lips,” or even “its arms,” Alan uses “the lips.” And isn’t he a “Negro”?
••• Whatever happens to the gun Twala receives as a gift? Why doesn’t he ever use it? •••
What’s the deal with Gagool?
••• Haggard is fascinated with violence. He explains the witch-hunt with such energy that it’s even hard to imagine now, when violence is commonplace. He devotes an entire chapter to an almost unnecessary event, and makes it a massive slaughter of hundreds rather than just a few people. He gets away with it, because he has the white men act appalled and protest against the injustice. But the fact of the matter is that it came out of his imagination. •••
Moon: big deal. Beautiful sight on the way to Kukuanaland, eclipse, witch-hunt, “moon beautiful,” etc. Moon = woman.