Robin Mitchell’s chapter titled “Entering Darkness Colonial Anxieties And The Cultural Production of Sarah Baartmann” aims to identify the greater context of the atmosphere in France following the period of the French Revolution to post-Napeolonic rule that led to the use and production of Sarah Baartmann in the early 19th century. Mitchell first identifies that the “Political and Social uncertainty marked this era, with royalists, Bonapartists, and republicans failing to reconcile their disparate ideologies” (Micthell 53). Next, Mitchell emphasizes the understanding of the Haitian Revolution, which brought many racial consequences concerning slavery and empire. Through these connections, Mitchell analyzes how Baartmann had come to resemble not only the scientific discourses of the time but was also employed as a mechanism of control and commodification of the French nationalistic views through Baartmann and her African nationality.
In the case of Baartman’s political implications as a method of analysis for Mitchell, she argued that “She thus represented the antithesis of Frenchness – inappropriate sexuality, feminine aggressiveness, and excess…Baartmann’s body and her image were used to establish nationalistic boundaries” (Mitchell 57). Looking through the lens of colonialism ad maintaining an empire, Mitchell uncovered this justification for continuing racist systems of power and slavery that came from the positioned, manufactured, and misrepresented staging of Baartmann against the traditional society France endeavored to return to.
Mitchell also continued with an approach of visual representation, which further solidified her conclusions that Baartmann was intended to be a foil “regulating normative French behaviors”(Mitchell 78). The viewing of Baartmann as she was reduced to exaggerated and distorted features within printed sources could provide criticism and foster fear. Employing the well-known imagery within Louis François Charon and Aaron Martinet’s Les Curieux en extase ( The Curious in Ecstasy) is the representation of what “the introduction of “foreign” elements can do to a “civilized” society…Because Baartmann is marked uncivilized, her presence, however submissive, evokes uncivilized behavior”(Mitchell 72).
Like within the political scope and visual representation, in Mitchell’s conclusion, she links these methods to the imperialistic atmosphere and attempts to regain power and control of a society’s norms and values following such a period of uncertainty. However, a premiere method was the reduction of “powerful black bodies to harmless spectacle assuaged fears and smoothed out conflicts among…society, providing a much-needed unifying force”(Mitchell 79). At the gain of a continued colonial oppressor was the heightened level of division relating to race and white superiority at the expense of Sarah Baartmann and her culture
Elia, I really like how you’ve categorized your summary into broad sections and then narrowed it down to the specifics of Mitchell’s argument. I like your bottom portion, and would love to hear more about that thought process.
Elia,
I really enjoyed reading your summary and think that it is very well put together. I found the idea of exaggeration of the “otherness” in Baartmann’s work to be very interesting, and I think it would be intriguing to apply this concept to how modern society seems to operate as well. If this concept is still prevalent or if we have learned since would also be something interesting as a wider implication for these ideas. Great Job!
Elia, this is such a thorough and well-written application! I really appreciated your dive into French culture and how it portrayed Baartmann. I feel as though this could be expanded into a conversation on how African women viewed French women. There is clearly a plethora of stereotypes coming from the French in regard to Baartmann, I am curious if that stereotyping (not racism) goes both ways? In our reading of The Venus Hottentot, it appears that Baartmann had some stereotypes or preconceptions about money within French society. I find it interesting that the stereotyping of Barrtmann was incredibly racist, where as Baartmann’s stereotypes took on a more appealing view of French society. How do you feel these stereotypes play into the overall conception of Western superiority, and in what ways is society skewed to maintain this perception?
Elia, I really enjoyed the walk through you gave us with every part of the work. It felt that I had a fully analysis of what should be understood about Mitchells argument and the historical context to support it. I am curious about which part of your summary you would most likely expand on into the future.