Rhys Imperialism

In imperialism, the main accepted goal is to enlighten and help the native population in a certain area to achieve the set values and norms that the imperialist’s abide by. Similar to the paths that Anna was dealt, the colonizers keep “helping” the natives to find the right path when in reality, they are just lying to all parties involved because it is clear that the “help” they are providing is only hurting and exploiting them. The doctor took it upon himself to play the role of the colonizers when he said “‘She’ll be all right’…‘Ready to start all over again in no time, I’ve no doubt’” (Rhys 187). His statement painted a pretty picture for not only Anna and Laurie, but also the reader. By saying that she will be okay, the doctor infers that whatever happens to her over the course of the procedure will not hurt her. …show more content…
The speedy recovery represents the outcomes of the colonization. Once one place is colonized, it is time to move onto the next place, thereby continuing the cycle. In the first version, Jean Rhys kills Anna. Anna’s death, as a whole, signifies the death of the natives, their culture, and more importantly, the truth of imperialism. As colonization takes place, the “enlightened” develop their own opinions about the practices of the uncivilized natives. When the white adults are discussing the Masquerade in Anna’s flashback, Aunt Jane says, “it ought to be stopped somebody said it’s not a decent and respectable way to go on it ought to be stopped” (Rhys 184). Anna then comments, “I don’t see why they should stop the Masquerade…why should they want to stop it some people want to stop everything” (Rhys 184-185). By calling out Aunt Jane’s intolerance for other cultural practices that are not her own, Anna divulges the truth of

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