Charles Dickens' essay The Noble Savage and H. Rider Haggard's King Solomon's Mines both communicate an agenda established by the author. In his essay, Dickens very directly expresses his disgust at the sympathy he sees accorded to native Africans by his fellow countrymen. His writing is frank and accusatory and he doesn't mince words. Haggard is more vague in his approach to the Zulu people. He describes them as inferior to him and worthy of respect. This is just a difference in writing style and does not lend itself to a difference in attitude. On racial issues, Haggard agrees with Dickens. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Dickens and Haggard are writing for a different audience. Nobel Savage appeared in Dickens's famous magazine Household Words. This journal was written for a growing middle class and focused on social commentary regarding the poor. It served as a sounding board for social reform, making it an ideal place for Dickens to share his opinion on native African culture. The first line of the essay states, “I venture to say that I have not the least faith in the noble savage” (Dickens 805). He establishes his argument early by drawing on Rousseau's idea that natives are more noble. The word noble evokes in the reader a sympathy and respect that Dickens soon begins to demolish. He immediately attacks Rousseau's ideas by saying that the noble savage should be "civilized from the face of the earth" (Dickens 805). His use of the word noble is meant to be ironic and create false sympathy for native Africans. In his essay, Dickens argues against the humanization of native Africans. He begins a paragraph by saying, “What is new is not the miserable nature of the noble savage; it is the whining about him with saccharine admiration” (Dickens 806). He is offended by the suggestion that these eccentrics should be introduced into British society in the current way. His views are shared with a middle class who are on the cusp of moving up Britain's social ladder. In contrast, Haggard's romanticization of the Zulu people is an effort to appeal to a young boy's sense of adventure. His views parallel those of Dickens and he draws several distinctions between black and white throughout the novel. Haggard also creates Native characters who are revered and respected. This is evident in the quasi-romance between Captain Good and Foulata. She is depicted as noble, even dying for the man she loves because "I know he cannot clutter his life with people like me, for the sun cannot mate with darkness, nor white with black" (Haggard 206) . Haggard gave Foulata the power to see her limits, she is the one who leaves Good and it is this act that makes her noble. Haggard also creates a noble character in Umbopa. He is a Zulu but is often defined as different, more consumed by thought. After being accepted as a traveling companion for Quartermain and company, Umbopa tells Sir Henry “we are men, you and I” (Haggard 40). He repeats this phrase again in the story showing that there is not only a difference between men, but also something in common. Haggard uses these characters in the same way he uses the desire to find treasure. By developing characters that are relatable, interesting and protective, it creates an environment that is exciting and will appeal to the male youth it is aimed at. Haggard had created a fictional environment that rivaled the ideas of his day; ignorant, uncultured and uncivilized, he would not gain the charm of the young aristocracy he desired. The portrayal of the characters is done in a way that will spark excitement about traveling to Africa. .This.
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