Across books · Theme
Colonialism and the 'Other'
The narrative reflects Victorian colonial attitudes, depicting the African setting and its people as exotic, savage, and mysterious, while the white European protagonists position themselves as superior explorers uncovering ancient secrets.
Colonialism and the 'Other' appears as a literary theme in 3 works in the BetterReads curated set. Each book develops the idea in its own plot, voice, and historical moment — the links below open the book-scoped theme guide beside the text.
The narrative reflects Victorian colonial attitudes, depicting the African setting and its people as exotic, savage, and mysterious, while the white European protagonists position themselves as superior explorers uncovering ancient secrets.
The depiction of Pal-ul-don as a 'primitive' land with tailed, semi-human inhabitants reflects early 20th-century colonial attitudes, including the tension between preserving untouched lands and the threat of 'civilized' exploitation.
The depiction of Sir Gregory Penne's exploits in Borneo, his collection of Eastern weapons, and his treatment of native servants like Bhag reflects colonial attitudes, exoticism, and the dehumanization of non-European peoples.
In each book3 titles
she_se
The narrative reflects Victorian colonial attitudes, depicting the African setting and its people as exotic, savage, and mysterious, while the white European protagonists position themselves as superior explorers uncover
Open theme guide →
tarzan_the_terrible_se
The depiction of Pal-ul-don as a 'primitive' land with tailed, semi-human inhabitants reflects early 20th-century colonial attitudes, including the tension between preserving untouched lands and the threat of 'civilized'
Open theme guide →
the_avenger_se
The depiction of Sir Gregory Penne's exploits in Borneo, his collection of Eastern weapons, and his treatment of native servants like Bhag reflects colonial attitudes, exoticism, and the dehumanization of non-European pe
Open theme guide →