Reading Congo Reform Literature: Humanitarianism and Form in the Edwardian Era
Author | : Mary Kathryn Galli |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 174 |
Release | : 2019 |
ISBN-10 | : OCLC:1108336095 |
ISBN-13 | : |
Rating | : 4/5 ( Downloads) |
Download or read book Reading Congo Reform Literature: Humanitarianism and Form in the Edwardian Era written by Mary Kathryn Galli and published by . This book was released on 2019 with total page 174 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: However, these authors separate Belgian imperialism in the Congo from British benevolent paternalism, and the forms of their texts ultimately fail to conclude a larger meaning about the systemic issues of imperialism. When they do attempt to conclude, they perpetuate a humanitarian discourse that problematically assumes superiority. While the Congo reform movement might be considered a success, the problematic failures of humanitarianism continue to this day in human rights discourse, as evidenced by the contemporary successor of the Congo Reform Association, which aims to "serve the heroic legacy" of E.D. Morel and the other Congo reformers. I assert that it is a failure to pursue reform if it's purpose is to achieve a sense of heroism for oneself. Failure defines the Edwardian transitional moment, exemplified through the works of Conrad, Twain, and Doyle that span the era. Through an assessment of these authors' formal structures, I conclude that their texts raise more questions than they solve, forcing readers to slow down, think, and determine an answer themselves.