We
do see Imperialism as a big part when we travel to the jungle where they should
in reality be free considering the natives have been living there for more time
than the colonists first stepped on the new world. There are four types of
imperialism colonial imperialism, which is a complete takeover and dominating
all areas: economic, political, and socio-cultural. In Jeronimo and the other towns in which we
see imperialism are based on economic and socio-cultural imperialism.
“His dictatorial, autocratic rule is
grudgingly accepted by his long-suffering family, and particularly I his ever–supportive
wife.” (Pfeiffer 155)
Economical imperialism is based on the area to operate as its
own nation, but the imperialist nation almost completely controls its trade and
other business. It may impose regulations that forbid trade with other nations,
or imperialist companies may own or have exclusive rights to its natural
resources. This is shown clearly when Allie for one has a totally independent town
in which they grow and produce their own food thus not needing to go to other
towns for food. Then the scene that best describes this is when Allie creates
big boy in which he creates ice from fire. After creating this machine he gives
it for free to other towns that are around and they come in multitude but this isn’t
enough, he decides he can do something bigger by giving it to the natives that
haven’t been in contact with civilization thus being a god-like figure in which
he is trying to control everything in his new life in the new world.
Socio-Cultural imperialism is when the
dominating country deliberately tried to change customs, religions and
languages in some of the countries. Reverend Spellgood who coming from America
is trying to change the customs, religions and language of the native by
opposing Christianity to the natives, which conserve some integrity and some
local customs. When Allie arrives to the small town that is being “protected”
by Spellgood he arrives to the town which is being surrounded by barbwire as a
prison and then reaching the church the natives have been changed completely
from their natural state of having an independent life to wearing clothes,
speaking English, and having a new god that they have to pray now for. New
customs as well are celebrated that has to do with Christianity, as Christmas
and other American customs, even though they are “free” in which they can go
anywhere they want they have been enslaved into a religion they weren’t supposed
to be making reverend Spellgood a type of dictator opposing religion to those
who all ready have customs, religion and their own language.
Michael D. Miller
ReplyDeleteBlog Response/Imperialism
13 April 2014
Allie Fox: Imperialism
Allie Fox implements his authority over first his family by using his influence over the family. He is the head of the household and the breadwinner. Therefore, whatever Allie wants he can get through his manipulation of his position in the family. This is especially evident when he decides to abruptly quit his job on the farm; leaving the only home they have ever known and taking off on a trek into the jungle of the unknown, which none of the family members are prepared. This is the subtle imperialism of Allie Fox.
The most overt example of Allie’s imperialism appears once the family arrives at Geronimo. Allie portrays himself to be a helper, a worker of the people, a servant by using diplomacy. Allie explains to the people that he will work hard for the good citizens of Geronimo and if he isn’t working hard enough, to tell him so and he will work harder. However, this is far from the truth. Allie is manipulating the citizen natives to work for him, to help him realize his dreams of a jungle oasis and to eventually build a larger scale working model of “Big Boy.”
It appears that the natives are doing all of the hard work and devoting all of their time and efforts to improving Allie Fox’s dream, meanwhile their situation and living condition has not improved. The natives are soon whisked away by the reverend Spellgood while Allie is out acquiring supplies, leaving Allie and his family alone to deal with the three wanderers who show up at Geronimo and impose their desire to stay in the more comfortable surroundings. Allie is willing to kill anyone who threatens his position in the jungle as is evident by the death and destruction of his town.
Spellgood too has a desire to impose his will through religious imperialism. He seeks to use his fire and brimstone speeches and bible quotes to threaten the natives to follow him. Spellgood is Allie Fox’s nemesis in the jungle community, both competing for the influence of the natives in order to promote their own agenda. The natives in this film are the commodity of which both imperialist seek to win the support of, but become the most used and abused and essentially stripped of their culture in the process.