Introduction

Abstract

Winston Churchill once remarked that, although it was difficult to define a rhinoceros, we would all recognise one if it should come into the room. Imperialism has much in common with that large hoofed mammal, one of the species of the family Rhinocerotidae. Imperialism is difficult to define, but we all recognise it. The subject of this volume is not so much imperialism itself as literature and imperialism, for imperialism has inspired a considerable literature. It might almost be said that imperialism has its own literature. Nevertheless, it is useful to begin with a few basic principles in mind.

Conrad saw the world-wide extension of capitalism, the antagonism between imperial and colonial lands, the radical upheaval of primitive communities, their introduction into the political and economic context of the twentieth century, the intrusion of machines into the jungles, the exploitation of the peasants, the extraction of wealth and its expropriation by foreigners and colonial rulers. It is a world in which progress drinks nectar from the skulls of the slain, a world of directorates and monopolies, of wars and revolutions for the control of wealth and power.

(Jonah Raskin, 1971¹)