Colonialism and patriarchy lead to a number of parallel relationships made between individuals occupying similar roles. Through the colonial missions goal of “remaking the Other in the image of the Self, inevitably needed and produced culturally hybrid subjects among the colonizers as well as the colonized” (Krishnaswamy 39). There seems to be a merging of sexual, gendered, and national identities in Anna Lombard. Gerald remarks that natures craves “to return to the type which is neither extreme in all cases has mixed that inviolable instinct with men and women’s desire” (Cross 27). Although he is referring to men and women desiring a significant other with opposite coloring, this also corresponds to desire for whatever is opposite. There
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Masculinity takes on a significant role in Imperial discourse as “the cornerstone in the ideology of moral imperialism that prevailed in British India” (Krishnaswamy 5). In setting up the masculine British man as morally superior to the weak and feminized native, the British nation is able to excuse its self-centered colonial missions. The colonial male occupies an interesting role as of the superior sex, but the lesser race (Krishnaswamy 55). Within Anna Lombard there are a number of parallel relationships made between groups and individuals occupying analogous position and a number of triangles of desire form. As Anna’s two lovers, there is a unique dynamic between Gaida and Gerald that puts into play the extent to which power is based on gender and race. As the dominant gender, the two are linked. Further, the suggestions of an erotic desire between the two through their homosocial connection traces back to the Ancient Greek’s who saw “the continuum between ‘men loving men’ and ‘men promoting the interests of men” as seamless (Sedgwick). Theorist Luce Irigaray further the connection between make relations and power in stating that “homosexuality is the law that regulates the sociocultural order. Heterosexuality amount to the assignment of roles in the economy” (Sedgwick). The relationship between Gaida and Gerald can be examined to see the transfer of power across the novel. Published three years before Anna Lombard is Rudyard Kipling’s poem The Ballad Of East and West. The final refrain of the poem refers to the connection between males in a colonial
Masculinity takes on a significant role in Imperial discourse as “the cornerstone in the ideology of moral imperialism that prevailed in British India” (Krishnaswamy 5). In setting up the masculine British man as morally superior to the weak and feminized native, the British nation is able to excuse its self-centered colonial missions. The colonial male occupies an interesting role as of the superior sex, but the lesser race (Krishnaswamy 55). Within Anna Lombard there are a number of parallel relationships made between groups and individuals occupying analogous position and a number of triangles of desire form. As Anna’s two lovers, there is a unique dynamic between Gaida and Gerald that puts into play the extent to which power is based on gender and race. As the dominant gender, the two are linked. Further, the suggestions of an erotic desire between the two through their homosocial connection traces back to the Ancient Greek’s who saw “the continuum between ‘men loving men’ and ‘men promoting the interests of men” as seamless (Sedgwick). Theorist Luce Irigaray further the connection between make relations and power in stating that “homosexuality is the law that regulates the sociocultural order. Heterosexuality amount to the assignment of roles in the economy” (Sedgwick). The relationship between Gaida and Gerald can be examined to see the transfer of power across the novel. Published three years before Anna Lombard is Rudyard Kipling’s poem The Ballad Of East and West. The final refrain of the poem refers to the connection between males in a colonial