The 19th century witnessed the scramble for Africa, which was a period of European colonization and occupation of the African continent. European powers, including Britain, France, and Germany, sought to expand their empires and gain access to the vast resources in Africa. The scramble for Africa was characterized by violence, exploitation, and racism towards African people. This paper seeks to examine the extent to which gender explains the differences between how Mary French Sheldon and Henry Morton Stanley describe the "natives" in their works. Specifically, it will analyze Through the Dark Continent by Henry Morton Stanley and Sultan to Sultan: Adventures Among the Masai and Other Tribes of East Africa by Mary French Sheldon. The paper will also provide background information on European imperialism in Africa during the period.
Background Information on European Imperialism in Africa
In the late 19th century, European powers scrambled for control over Africa, with the aim of exploiting its vast resources. The Berlin Conference of 1884-85, organized by the European powers, aimed to formalize the partition and colonization of Africa. European powers used their military and economic superiority to subjugate African peoples, who were seen as primitive and uncivilized. The colonization of Africa was justified by the concept of the "white man's burden," which argued that it was the duty of Europeans to "civilize" and "Christianize" the "uncivilized" peoples of Africa (Hobson, 2012).
European imperialism in Africa was characterized by violence, exploitation, and racism. European colonial powers used force to take control of African territories and exploit their resources, including minerals, land, and people. African peoples were forced into labor, and their land was taken away from them. European powers also imposed their cultures and religions on African people, destroying their traditional ways of life. The racism of European colonizers towards African people was evident in their treatment of them as inferior and uncivilized. European powers justified their actions by portraying African people as savages who needed to be tamed and civilized (Hobson, 2012).
Henry Morton Stanley's Through the Dark Continent
Through the Dark Continent is an account of Henry Morton Stanley's expedition to Africa in 1874-77. Stanley was hired by the New York Herald to find David Livingstone, a Scottish explorer who had been missing in Africa for several years. Stanley's expedition was also aimed at exploring the African continent and opening it up for European colonization. Stanley's account of his expedition is characterized by racism and a belief in the superiority of European civilization. In his account, Stanley portrays African people as primitive and uncivilized, in need of European intervention to "civilize" them (Stanley, 1878).
Stanley's account is also characterized by a masculine perspective that reflects the gender roles of the time. Stanley's expedition was composed entirely of men, and his account focuses on the exploits of male explorers. African women are almost entirely absent from his account, and when they do appear, they are depicted as subservient and inferior to men. Stanley's account reflects the patriarchal attitudes of European society at the time, which saw women as inferior to men (Stanley, 1878).
In Stanley's account, African people are depicted as inferior to Europeans in terms of their civilization, culture, and intelligence. Stanley describes African people as "savage" and "barbaric," lacking in the skills and knowledge needed for civilization. He argues that African people are "lazy" and "indolent," preferring to live a life of idleness rather than work hard to build their civilization. Stanley also portrays African people as violent and dangerous, prone to attacking Europeans and other African tribes (Stanley, 1878).
Mary French Sheldon's Sultan to Sultan
Mary French Sheldon's Sultan to Sultan is an account of her travels in East Africa in the late 19th century. Unlike Stanley, Sheldon was a woman, and her account reflects a different perspective on African people and their culture. Sheldon's account is characterized by a feminist perspective that challenges the patriarchal attitudes of her time. Sheldon's account also challenges the racism and Eurocentric attitudes of her contemporaries, including Stanley.
In Sheldon's account, African people are depicted as complex and multifaceted, with their own unique cultures and traditions. Sheldon's account emphasizes the diversity of African cultures, challenging the idea that African people are primitive and homogeneous. Sheldon also emphasizes the agency and autonomy of African people, challenging the idea that they are passive and in need of European intervention. Sheldon argues that African people are capable of governing themselves and developing their own civilizations, without European intervention (Sheldon, 1892).
Sheldon's account also challenges the gender roles of her time, emphasizing the role of women in African societies. Unlike Stanley's account, Sheldon's account includes many references to African women, who are depicted as strong and independent. Sheldon emphasizes the importance of women in African societies, challenging the patriarchal attitudes of her contemporaries. Sheldon also challenges the Eurocentric attitudes of her contemporaries, arguing that European civilization is not necessarily superior to African civilization (Sheldon, 1892).
Comparison of Stanley and Sheldon's Accounts
Stanley and Sheldon's accounts of their travels in Africa differ in many ways. Stanley's account reflects the racist and Eurocentric attitudes of his time, portraying African people as primitive and in need of European intervention. Stanley's account also reflects the patriarchal attitudes of his time, emphasizing the role of men in exploration and downplaying the role of women. In contrast, Sheldon's account challenges the racist and Eurocentric attitudes of her time, portraying African people as complex and multifaceted. Sheldon's account also challenges the patriarchal attitudes of her time, emphasizing the role of women in African societies.
One of the main differences between Stanley and Sheldon's accounts is their portrayal of African people. Stanley portrays African people as primitive and in need of European intervention to "civilize" them. He describes African people as "savage" and "barbaric," lacking in the skills and knowledge needed for civilization. In contrast, Sheldon portrays African people as complex and multifaceted, with their own unique cultures and traditions. She emphasizes the diversity of African cultures and the agency of African people in shaping their own civilizations.
Another difference between Stanley and Sheldon's accounts is their portrayal of gender roles. Stanley's account emphasizes the role of men in exploration, portraying women as inferior and subservient to men. African women are almost entirely absent from his account, and when they do appear, they are depicted as subservient and inferior to men. In contrast, Sheldon's account challenges the patriarchal attitudes of her time, emphasizing the role of women in African societies. She includes many references to African women, who are depicted as strong and independent.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the accounts of Henry Morton Stanley and Mary French Sheldon provide two different perspectives on African people and their culture. Stanley's account reflects the racist and Eurocentric attitudes of his time, portraying African people as primitive and in need of European intervention. Stanley's account also reflects the patriarchal attitudes of his time, emphasizing the role of men in exploration and downplaying the role of women. In contrast, Sheldon's account challenges the racist and Eurocentric attitudes of her time, portraying African people as complex and multifaceted. Sheldon's account also challenges the patriarchal attitudes of her time, emphasizing the role of women in African societies. The differences between Stanley and Sheldon's accounts can be partly explained by gender, as Sheldon's feminist perspective allowed her to see and appreciate the diversity and autonomy of African cultures, and the role of women within them. However, other factors, such as their respective backgrounds, experiences, and biases, also played a role in shaping their accounts.
It is important to note that both Stanley and Sheldon's accounts are products of their time and reflect the prevailing attitudes and beliefs of the late 19th century. European imperialism in Africa during this period was characterized by racism, Eurocentrism, and a belief in the superiority of European civilization. The accounts of Stanley and Sheldon reflect these attitudes, but in different ways. Stanley's account reflects a more extreme and overtly racist perspective, while Sheldon's account challenges these attitudes to a greater extent, reflecting a more nuanced and complex understanding of African cultures and societies.
It is also worth noting that both Stanley and Sheldon's accounts have been criticized for their biases and inaccuracies. Stanley has been accused of exaggerating his exploits and accomplishments, and of portraying African people in a negative and stereotypical manner. Sheldon has been criticized for her romanticization of African cultures and for downplaying the role of European imperialism in shaping African societies.
Despite these criticisms, the accounts of Stanley and Sheldon provide valuable insights into the history of European imperialism in Africa and the attitudes and beliefs of Europeans towards African people and their cultures. By comparing and contrasting these accounts, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and contradictions of this history, and of the ways in which gender, race, and other factors shaped the perspectives of European explorers and travelers in Africa.
References:
Sheldon, M. F. (1892). Sultan to Sultan: Adventures Among the Masai and Other Tribes of East Africa. Harper and Brothers Publishers.
Stanley, H. M. (1890). Through the Dark Continent: Or, The Sources of the Nile Around the Great Lakes of Equatorial Africa and Down the Livingstone River to the Atlantic Ocean. Harper and Brothers Publishers.
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