Introduction
Most people disagree on various issues, while others tend to become cruel in defense of what they believe in. While individuals such as revolutionists act savagely, the people in power are most likely to show savagery and cruelty in their decisions and what they think without showing any feeling of care for the implications of their actions. In this study, we will focus on the savagery issue presented in the book “savage seasons” by kettle mars. The book mainly focuses on the Leroy family, whereby Daniel, a husband to Nirvah and a father to two, Marie and Nicholas, has been taken away by men believed to be from the authorities. However, Daniel’s arrest is not formal, and due to this, his wife Nirvah is unable to visit him or access any information about him to know more about what was happening to him (Mars et al., pg.2). Her efforts to save her husband seems not to succeed but instead leads her to the arms of the savage secretary of the state, Raoul Vincent, a married man and a father of two. The aim of this paper is to explore the theme of savagery presented in the book savage seasons by kettle mars while presenting the reader with more understanding of the theme through additional support of the theme using critical articles supporting the theme.
Savagery can be defined as being fierce or cruel by an individual’s words or actions. In the book savage seasons by kettle mars, cruelty can be seen whereby Raoul Vincent, the secretary of the state, despite being approached by Nirvah for help with her husband’s case, unleashes his savagery as well as takes advantage of her situation to satisfy his desires. Desperate, Nirvah contacts the regime’s Secretary of State, Raoul Vincent, a married father of two. At the office, Vincent shows his savagery in his words, which seem direct and harsh to Nirvah. Despite knowing all about Daniel, his job was to see all about Daniel’s wrench into ways of obtaining power and silencing them. Vincent intentionally inquires more from Nirva about her husband (Mars et al., pg.6). When he asks about Daniel’s profession, Nirvah answers, “professor of philosophy, law, and history.” However, this answer does not satisfy the secretary of the state as he wants to hear the answer he expects about the profession, and he asks Nirvah if there is any other profession. Nirvah adds that Daniel is also a journalist. However, his cruelty to Vincent is seen when he adds, “Editor in chief of the journal of opposition, Le Temoin and number two in the UCH” (Mars et al., pg 6). This shows that without caring about her feelings, Vincent expresses the main reason behind Daniel’s arrest to his wife. Nirvah’s feelings show the impact of the cruel words from the secretary of state. She says, “There is a stabbing pain in my lower abdomen. My bladder can’t take it anymore”. These words show the savagery treatment by Vincent to Nirvah despite her stressful moment of losing her husband to the authorities without efficient information of how she could ever see him again.
In addition, during their interaction, Vincent immediately falls in love with Nirvah and becomes fascinated with her. The road in front of Nirvah’s house is paved, air conditioning is built, she is given costly jewelry, and the family’s automobile is replaced, which they had to give up when Daniel was taken. He eventually accomplishes his purpose and becomes her lover. Vincent reassures her by saying he does it for himself and her rather than as a show of control. Nirvah has been compromised but insists she had no choice (Mars et al., pg.14). Vincent’s attentions provide her with some peace during an otherwise trying moment adding to her guilt. And she can convince herself that this is the finest move she can make for her family because a high-ranking official would safeguard them. Nirvah deliberately supports and tries to ignore the reality that her children are similarly corrupted and compromised. This shows how savagery Vincent was that he decided to take advantage of the challenges surrounding Leroy’s family. To protect Leroy’s family, Vincent needs to use his power correctly, which would serve the family without any demands. He uses the power to fulfill his desires with Daniel’s wife, even though he is a married man and a father. Despite her difficult situation in her family, Nirvah has no alternative but to agree to allow Vincent’s desires in her and her family.
In contrast to Vincent’s savagery in the book savage seasons by Kelly Mars, Roger, Nirvah’s brother, treats Nirvah well and seems caring, concerned, and understanding. Roger is worried about the people Nirvah is seeking or planning to seek help from. He understands the price of support from these people and tries to advise Nirvah on them. Nirvah tells Roger that she had seen the Bishop of Port-au-prince, whom she was counting on to help her in a challenge. However, Roger interrupts her to change her mind about depending on the Bishop’s help. He says, “You don’t get it, Nirva. That Bishop has no more power than a newborn baby. The church is in the same trouble as all other sectors of the country”( Mars et al., pg.23). These words show that Roger understood that by approaching the Bishop for help, Nirvah would be wasting her time since the Bishop had no power to change or help is solving Nirvah’s case. These words show that, Unlike Vincent, whose focus is only on satisfying his desires, Roger cares about the right individuals to be approached for Nirvah’s matter. In addition to this, Roger is understanding and caring. When he inquires about the people Nirvah has visited so far, he understands that the secretary of the state was offering to help Nirvah over his love and affection desires being fulfilled by her. Despite the risk that the action pauses Nirvah and her family’s life, Roger understands her situation and knows that she has to do what it takes to free up her husband, Daniel. When Nirvah expresses her worries about being engaged to Vincent and the danger the engagement was pausing in her life, Vincent shows his understanding despite having hatred for the secretary of the state. He says, “Yes, I understand, but the secretary of the state, that pig. I wouldn’t take a glass of water from him if I were dying of thirst” (Mars et al., pg.24). This statement shows that despite of understanding the situation, Roger did not like the secretary of the state.
Roger is also concerned about the price that would cost Nirvah to get protection and help from the secretary of state. He says; Hmmm, but what price? There is always a price to pay with that sort of man. Have you thought about that? I’m afraid for you, Nirvah” (Mars et al., pg.25). These statements show that Roger was concerned about Nirva’s welfare and how she would pay for the expense of being protected by Vincent. When Nirvah explains to Roger about her actions and that she understood but had to do it, Roger tells her that he understands her. From his concerned and caring nature, Roger is also committed to helping his sister get out of the situation. He says, “ Michael’s brother-in-law is an officer in the Navy. He promised to intervene, but I didn’t have much hope. The military is not in the president’s good grace these days.” These statements show that Roger was concerned about Nirvah’s difficulties surrounding her and her family. Despite understanding the difference between the military and the president, he still inquires for help from one of the navy officers.
Similarly to savage seasons by kettle mars, the theme of savagery has also been presented in the book “Lord of The Flies” by William Golding. The book focuses on some British schoolboys stranded on an Island, and in their efforts to manage themselves, they end up in a catastrophe. In this book, the theme of savagery is presented through characterization, whereby Jack, a character in the book, is a power-hungry and violent person with a dictatorial view. When Jack is asked what he wants by Ralph from the begging, he says that he wants the choir boys to be hunters (Golding, pg.19). This statement reveals his inner savagery of Jack. In addition, Jack expresses his savagery through his facial expression. For example, when a naval officer arrives, he says, “ I should have thought that a pack of British boys would have been able to put up a better show” (Golding pg.224). Jack’s facial expression shows his anger revealing his savagery from the officer’s statement. The officer’s information also expressed his savagery because British people were considered the highest class and should not be acting like the boys. In addition, the theme of savagery is seen when Jack and some other boys decide to split and make a “tribe .”The group wears face paint and starts hunting pigs religiously without concerns about being rescued since all of the boys have given up hope of being saved. The savagery of killing Simon and Piggy leads to Jack and his tribe unleashing their brutality and deciding to go on a rampage and do what they want. Jack and his tribe are not concerned about the welfare of the other group and focus on themselves, only unleashing human savagery.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the theme of savagery can be used to express the evil and cruelty in humans. While humanity should focus on the good deeds which benefit the people, some individuals possess a savage nature that contributes to increased evil actions among individuals. The theme of savagery can be used to express the brutality of some leaders, including political leaders. Despite some leaders having suitable activities, they only do the good ones, showing savagery when assured of personal benefits. For example, the book “savage season” uses Vincent, the secretary of the state, to offer some leaders who only help people to gain their benefits. Despite having the power to help and protect Leroy’s family, Vincent uses the power to satisfy his desires with Daniel’s wife in exchange for his protection and help. Vincent does not care about the challenging situation Nirvah is going through but is only concerned with his interest in showing the savagery of the secretary of state.
On the other hand, William Golding has expressed the theme of savagery by using Jack as a character leader who is violent and cruel. While Ralph, the leader of the British boys, is caring and concerned about the welfare of others, Jack is violent and self-centered. Jack and his tribe do not care about the other group and want them to become hunters. They hunt pigs religiously without being concerned about the others or being rescued. This expresses the theme of savagery in Jack and his tribe, hence expressing the savagery among various leaders.
Work Cited
Alcott, Linda. “L’ange Du Patriarche by Kettly Mars.” The French Review, vol. 92, no. 3, 2019, pp. 261–262. https://doi.org/10.1353/tfr.2019.0256.
Blondi, Monica. “Kettly Mars, Fado.” Studi Francesi, no. 159 (LIII | III), 2009, pp. 680–681., https://doi.org/10.4000/studifrancesi.7753.
Golding, William. Lord of the Flies: By William Golding. Coward-McCann, 1962.
Mars, Kettly, et al. Savage Seasons. The University of Nebraska Press, 2015.
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