Colonialism is a significant period in the history of humanity, the study of which remains essential. In this context, the best perspective on life in a colony can only be given by a person who was raised in it, like Franz Fanon, a famous psychiatrist and philosopher. Born in the French colony of Martinique and being black, he faced all the problems of racism and colonialism. In many ways, it was this that prompted the author, before his death, to write the famous book “The Wretched of the Earth”, in which he analyzed the effects of the colonial system on individuals and society (Fanon ix). Although not all of these topics are easy to discuss, from my perspective, the author’s perspective allows readers to immerse themselves in the features of the French colonial world. Since such an experience is valuable both in itself and for studying society, this paper aims to review this book and reflect on its contents.
“The Wretched of the Earth” focuses primarily on the world in which Fanon has lived most of his life. Building on experience, Fanon explores colonialism and racism, using his knowledge of psychology to analyze the consequences and impact of this phenomenon on people. Thus, the central thesis of this work is the features of the dehumanization of society through colonization and the possible consequences of this phenomenon. This thought consistently develops from analyzing the essence of decolonization as an act of violence to a direct study of mental disorders on the specific example of the Algerian National War (Fanon 181). However, before arriving at such a case study, Fanon discusses the roles of the various members of colonial society while applying modified foundations of Marxist ideology.
The book consists of several parts, bringing the reader closer to exploring contemporary events. It is noteworthy that this book is often published along with Jean-Paul Sartre’s preface from 1961, stating his comments of solidarity with Fanon. His rhetoric leads readers to the first part, “On Violence”, which deals with investigating violence as a concept in both worlds: colonial and post-colonial. This reflection is continued by dissecting the division of the colonies’ society into its constituent parts, one of the most important of which is the lumpenproletariat. Although this concept is found in traditional Marxist ideology, the author gives it a new meaning, referring to the inhabitants of the colonies who are not involved in industrial production (Fanon 66). According to the author, these people are the central revolutionary force of the colonies (Fanon 81). With each subsequent part, Fanon expands the scope of the study, thus moving from the individual to the tribes, national culture, and, finally, colonial wars. Thus, the author formulates a clear idea of the colonial world and sets out the various implications of this system.
Since this work touches on many complex and controversial issues, it is difficult for me to say explicitly whether I liked the book or not. However, I can confidently say that observing the author’s train of thought was genuinely enjoyable. First, his reflections have a clear, logical structure that consistently leads the reader to analyze the big picture. Second, this book gave me a unique perspective that would otherwise be inaccessible to me. Finally, although the events described by Fanon are long gone, from my point of view, some of the theses he puts forward can still be reflected in modern society and, as a result, are worthy of research.
Thus, the work of Franz Fanon gives the reader a unique opportunity to look at colonial France. In this work, parts of the Marxist ideology and reasoning about mental health are intertwined, forming a unique worldview. Although the author’s appeals are already outdated due to the changing world, his opinion on post-colonial relations is still relevant. While I personally cannot agree with all of his views, I would like to point out that his experience is a valuable material for understanding the history of racism, which is still relevant today.
Work Cited
Fanon, Franz. The Wretched of the Earth. Grove Press, 2005.