Driven by capitalist greed, nationalism, religious pride, and egotistical reasons, nations in Europe turned to imperialism in order to widen their influence on the world. Imperialism is defined as the extension of a country’s power by dominating a weaker country’s economy, politics, or society. Nectar in a Sieve, by Kamala Markandaya, follows the life of Rukmani, a poor indian woman who faces the challenges imperialism has brought to her rural town. Kenny is Rukmani’s old friend, a white British doctor working in India who aids her during times of need. Although the two have known each other for a lifetime, in no way does Kenny see Rukmani as an equal. Their relationship parallels the relationship between Britain and India from a social, political, …show more content…
Social Darwinism was a widespread idea among Europeans and white people in general. This principle applies the idea of “survival of the fittest” in a social setting, where the stronger group is justified in overtaking the weaker group. Social Darwinism helped pave the way for imperialism, as Europeans did not feel guilty or inhumane for colonizing other lands. In fact, imperialism boosted their ego and made them feel superior to other races, causing them to belittle, exploit, enslave, and kill mercilessly. The belief is reflected in Kenny whenever he interacts with Rukmani. “‘Your views are so limited it is impossible to explain to you.’ ‘Limited, yes,’ I agreed. ‘Yet not wholly without understanding. Our ways are not your ways.’”(106). In this scenario, Rukmani has a discussion with Kenny regarding who is responsible for Kenny’s family leaving him. She speaks to him in a cautious manner and treats him with the utmost respect as to not upset him. On the other hand, Kenny’s manner is just the opposite. He is brusque, condescending, and often calls Rukmani a fool. The power dynamic is unequal between the two, in which Rukmani is seen as inferior by both Kenny and Rukmani. This parallels the relationship between India and Britain, as Britain is much more powerful than India so India must be careful as to how they handle relations with them. However, Rukmani’s attitude is very different in this encounter. She talks to Kenny as if he was her equal, which is demonstrated by the insight of her words as well as her unflinching tone. She defends herself and other Indians by standing up to Kenny’s generalization of them as helpless, ignorant simpletons. For the first time, Kenny realizes that the life and culture of people in India is very different from his own, and that he still has more to learn from them. Rukmani and Kenny are symbols for India and Britain. Britain
The cultural arrogance found in this book is the driving force of any and all conflicts in the book, because it is the cause of conflict between nations, between the people in these nations, and last but not least, between the man and nature. Firstly, and more obviously, cultural arrogance will create a conflict between people of different nations. The Price family moves into Kilanga, a village in the middle of the Congo, thinking they know the most for coming from highly educated country. This means that this family alienates themselves from the rest of the village because of their way of thinking, avoiding any help from the neighbors, and judging their way of life, including their religion. As a missionary family, they went into Kilanga to try to convert the people there into Christianity. However, they failed their mission because they were unable to adapting their lives and way of thinking into the lives of the Congolese people, therefore they were unable to reach to them and teach them the “correct” way of living. This arrogance was in a much localized area, where it couldn’t affect many pe...
Even though bananas may simply look like a fruit, they signify a wide variety of environmental, economic, social, and political problems. The banana trade injustices in the global trade market, symbolizes economic imperialism, and the worldwide spread of the agricultural economy. Bananas are also number four on the list of staple crops in the world and one of the major profit makers in supermarkets, making them vital for economic and global food security. Being one of the many first tropical fruits to be exported, bananas were a cheap way to bring “the tropics” to North America and Europe. Bananas have become such a widespread, inexpensive grocery item that we often forget where they come from and how they got here.
Rukmani and Kenny’s conversations show how Easterners value respect and reverence, while Westerners put and emphasis on equality. After Kenny helps her conceive, Rukmani bends down to kiss Kenny’s feet, thinking she is showing respect. Kenny doesn’t like it: “He withdrew [his feet] quickly and told me to get up. ‘I am not your benefactor’” (Markandaya 32). Similarly, Rukmani is hesitant to ask about Kenny’s family because it is personal: “Of himself he did not speak… I held my tongue, for I felt to ask would be to offend him” (Markandaya 33). Both of these events show how the two cultures misunderstand each other. Kenny doesn’t like when Rukmani kisses his shoes because he doesn’t feel above her, but she is just trying to be nice. And Rukmani doesn’t understand what will and won’t offend Kenny because her culture doesn’t encourage asking personal questions.
Despite impacting India very positively, imperialism still caused problems within the Indian society. An example of this negative effect is that poverty was very prevalent in India due to the dismantling of the old crafts such as metalwork, glass, paper, etc. The rationale for this huge spike impoverishment is because India was to be used as a supplier for raw materials, thus halting the growth of the economy (Doc 7). Not only did Britain disrupt the Indian’s industry, but they also caused unemployment through the superseding of Indian handspinners in the 19th century. (O.I) Another negative effect imperialism has made on India is through the persecution of Indians. "For a hundred years you have done everything for us. You have given us no responsibility in our own government," says Mohandas Gandhi in regards to the British rule. He also says that the British treat the Indians insultingly and without empathy (Doc 6,7,8).
Social Darwinism is “the theory that persons, groups, and races are subject to the same laws of natural selection” , a term used by Charles Darwin to refer to species evolution. The term was coined in the late 19th century and it was used to justify the “survival of the fittest”, where the “weak” was unsuited to survive, while the strong was better suited to adapt growing in power and in cultural influence. Societies, like individ...
The theory of Social Darwinism stems from the idea that the human species can progress by following the principal of Charles Darwin’s natural selection, in which he states that plants and animals that can adapt to changes in their environment are able to survive and reproduce, while those that cannot adapt will die. Social Darwinists applied this biological concept to social, political and economic issues, which created the “survival of the fittest” attitude, as well as competition and inequality between social groups. This paper will discuss some of the proponents of this theory, the results of their interpretation and application of the theory, and why this theory no longer holds a prominent position in Anthropological theory.
In this imperialism by Europe, there was much good that was brought out from it which allowed for the response of happiness. An Indian politician named Dadabhai Naoroji wrote all about “the Benefits of British Rule” specifically in India (Doc. 3). In his book, he talks about politics, economics, and material goods that was influenced greatly of Great Britain and greatly
Mircea Eliade writes; “All over the world learning the language of animals, especially of birds, is equivalent to knowing the secrets of nature…..” (Eliade:98) The human form should understand this silent language of nature as we are part of it not the master of it. The Glass Palace demonstrates this picture in one of the incidents where the tame elephants are used for the transportation as the Europeans find them perfect for their commercial profits:
As Indians living in white culture, many problems and conflicts arise. Most Indians tend to suffer microaggressions, racism and most of all, danger to their culture. Their culture gets torn from them, and slowly, as if it was dream, many Indians become absorbed into white society, all the while trying to retain their Indian lifestyle. In Indian Father’s Plea by Robert Lake and Superman and Me by Sherman Alexie, the idea that a dominant culture can pose many threats to a minority culture is shown by Wind-Wolf and Alexie.
In the “Iks” by Lewis Thomas, the author describes how a small tribe of hunters from northern Uganda called the Iks tries to survive after being forced by the government to give up their homes and living area and move to a poor hills and become farmers. Society is extremely harsh towards the Iks and this causes them to rebel and become abnormal. The Iks were a bunch of selfish people who only cared about themselves, left elders to starve and die, and did not cared about the children. They didn’t share things with each other and they find joy in the other’s misfortunes. Anthropologist were sent to observe the Iks, an anthropologist described the Iks to be ill- mannered fashion. Over the two years he had studied there, he was constantly being harassed and disgraced. After he had published his book, he wrote how he despised the Iks. Thomas then went on to say that he now sees similar behaviors implying on nations and cities compared to the Iks making points saying that the Iks share common characteristics of greed, cruezl, and selfish just like different nations fighting against each other.
Nicholas B. Dirks. (2011). Castes of Mind: Colonialism and the Making of Modern India. Princeton University Press
Imperialism creates the color line, and within this study, the color line as race and class based on power and the ability to make a profit through expansion is a good starting point for understanding. This means that race and class are more than just European and non-European, but more clearly the core and periphery in regards to those who possess the power to effectively (ineffectively in some instances) govern those without power or the true means to gain power. This power mostly held firm in its place through violence, however, war and systems of oppression along with an indoctrination of superiority hold those seen as inferior under the hegemonic dominance of Western paternalism. Imperialism creates race and class for capitalistic gains that would seat the United States, and Japan at the table with great empires such as Great Britain, Germany, Russia, and France.
social status is important because it has powerful ramifications about the colonial power-dynamics within a particular historical milieu. The Hindu caste system and various stereotypes also play an important role in Kipling’s story. For example, every person Kim encounters is immediately identified as either a member of a certain caste, religion, or race. Kipling depicts these stereotypes as...
Imperialism may seem like an obvious subject, but it can be hidden in the least expected places. Rudyard Kipling illustrates imperialism in India in The Jungle Book. The characters in these stories can represent British people fighting for British control, British people fighting for Indian rule, Indian people fighting for British control, and Indian people fighting for Indian rule. Characters in Mowgli’s Brothers such as the wolves, Mowgli, Shere Khan, Bagheera, and Baloo symbolize these roles in society. The Jungle Book uses allegory to show imperialism in India in various ways.
The characters in the book Nectar in a Sieve had to deal with Western imperialism and they had to adapt to the changing ideas associated with Western imperialism. Throughout the book Rukmani had to struggle with her beliefs and how to cope with these changes. From the beginning Rukmani coped with these changes, from culture to her way of life, until the end of the book where even then her life was not through being changed.