Robert Louis Stevensonâs Pacific Impressions by Carla Manfredi
Author:Carla Manfredi
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783319983134
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Although the photographâs evocation of a particularly English pictorial genre supports Stevensonâs literary construction of Maka as the genteel âparson,â he undermines this representation when he notes that Maka and Kanoa are âtwo brave childlike menâ (ISS, 162). Like Stevensonâs earlier comparison of I-Kiribati to âpuppy dog[s]â and Butaritari to a âplayroom,â this characterization of Maka and Kanoa is far from straightforward: on the one hand, Stevenson admires the âbraveâ dedication of the missionaries and, on the other, he reduces their actions to those of children, that is, naive and futile. The implied intellectual simplicity of the missionaries resonates with Stevensonâs remark that a âPolynesian at the best makes a singular missionary in the Gilberts; coming from a country recklessly unchaste ⦠[and] from a race hag-ridden with bogiesâ (173). Despite their conversion to Christianity, Maka and Kanoa cannot rid themselves of their inherited sexual predilections and superstitious beliefs, both of which are perceived as âchildlikeâ: innocent and endearing, but also irresponsible and aggravating. Like the âpuppy dogâ comparison, describing the missionaries as âchildlikeâ affords a sense of kinship between the Stevensons and the Hawaiians while also maintaining a clear distinction between master/parent and pet/child. Stevensonâs characterization of the two as âchildlike,â or his reduction of Maka to a country cleric, ignores the larger scope of the career of the two missionaries. While Stevenson sees their ambitions as worthy yet naive, Maka and Kanoa were part of a larger network of interactions among islands and, in particular, representative of the preeminence of Hawaiâiâand Hawaiian missionariesâin the contemporary Pacific. This perspective invites a vastly different interpretation of the photograph.
Maka and Kanoa enjoyed long careers in Butaritari: from 1865 to 1894 and from 1865 to 1886, respectively. Their presence overlapped with a dynasty of rulers composed of four brothers: Na Kaeia, Nan Teitei, Nabatokia, and Te Bureimoa. Over time, the Hawaiian missionaries entrenched themselves in local politics, serving as advisers to the ruling Chief (Morris 1987, 393). Alliances between High Chiefs and the missionaries were mutually beneficial: on the one hand, the missionaries attained an influential status in the community, and on the other hand, the Chiefs were one step closer to the regionâs most powerful polity (Cook 2001, 136â37). Maka showcased his Hawaiian identity by decorating the walls of his house with âportraits of the royal family of Hawaiiâ (ISS, 171) and by peppering his sermons with the âname of Honolulu [and] that of Kalakaua.â Maka was fond of pairing King KalÄkauaâs name with Queen Victoriaâs (173) as a reminder to his congregation of the special friendship between the Kingdom of Hawaiâi and the British Empire. But securing their positions on Butaritari had been far from easy. In fact, Makaâs and Kanoaâs initial arrival had been nearly fatal.
Stevenson recalls that in 1865, Kanoa had witnessed the High Chief Na Kaiea slaughter three Hawaiian sailors in a liquor-induced frenzy. Terrified by the âbutcherly Na Kaiea,â the two missionaries went into hiding (Huntington , MS. 2412) before fleeing Butaritari, only to return, undeterred, one year later.
Download
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.
What's Done in Darkness by Kayla Perrin(25465)
Shot Through the Heart: DI Grace Fisher 2 by Isabelle Grey(18189)
Shot Through the Heart by Mercy Celeste(18136)
The Fifty Shades Trilogy & Grey by E L James(17742)
The 3rd Cycle of the Betrayed Series Collection: Extremely Controversial Historical Thrillers (Betrayed Series Boxed set) by McCray Carolyn(13157)
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson(12857)
Scorched Earth by Nick Kyme(11801)
Stepbrother Stories 2 - 21 Taboo Story Collection (Brother Sister Stepbrother Stepsister Taboo Pseudo Incest Family Virgin Creampie Pregnant Forced Pregnancy Breeding) by Roxi Harding(10923)
Drei Generationen auf dem Jakobsweg by Stein Pia(10192)
Suna by Ziefle Pia(10164)
Scythe by Neal Shusterman(9227)
International Relations from the Global South; Worlds of Difference; First Edition by Arlene B. Tickner & Karen Smith(8566)
Successful Proposal Strategies for Small Businesses: Using Knowledge Management ot Win Govenment, Private Sector, and International Contracts 3rd Edition by Robert Frey(8384)
This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay(7631)
Dirty Filthy Fix: A Fixed Trilogy Novella by Laurelin Paige(6423)
He Loves Me...KNOT by RC Boldt(5768)
How to Make Love to a Negro Without Getting Tired by Dany LaFerrière(5334)
Interdimensional Brothel by F4U(5270)
Thankful For Her by Alexa Riley(5126)