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Chapter 1: On Violence
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Wretched of the Earth, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Colonialism, Racism, and Violence
Oppression and Mental Health
Capitalism, Socialism, and the Third World
Decolonization, Neocolonialism, and Social Class
Culture and the Emerging Nation
Summary
Analysis
Political leaders of underdeveloped countries expect their people to fight colonialism, poverty, and other devastating conditions, and these newly independent countries have to both contend with this fighting and manage to keep up with other countries on the world stage. They are told that European nations became wealthy because of their labor, and that wealth can be obtained by anyone who works for it. However, posing the problems facing newly independent nations in this way is incorrect and unreasonable.
Fanon implies that the idea that Europe became wealthy through hard work is ridiculous. Europe exploited and stole their wealth from the Third World; therefore, it isn’t really theirs. Underdeveloped countries are still at an incredible disadvantage, even with their freedom. There was nothing fair about the global distribution of wealth, and now the Third World has to start from scratch.
Themes
The national unity of European countries was developed when their bourgeoisies had most of the wealth. With the exception of England, European nations were in about the same economic position, and not one was above the other. The building of the nation in an underdeveloped country, on the other hand, is entirely different. In addition to poverty and little infrastructure, there are no doctors or engineers. Compared to underdeveloped countries, European nations are lavish. But this “opulence,” Fanon argues, has been “built on the backs of slaves” and “owes its very existence” to the underdeveloped world.
Here, Fanon outright says that Europe stole its wealth from the Third World. Fanon later talks about reparations given to European countries after Nazism destroyed their nations, cultures, and people during World War II. Attempts were made to make them whole again, but the same attempts are not made in regard to the Third World. Europe isn’t just doing okay, they live in “opulence” and luxury, while their victims suffer.
Themes
Independence to a colonized country automatically comes with a fair amount of suffering, and some Third World countries, not wanting to suffer so badly, agree to the terms of the colonial power. Under the terms of the Cold War, the formerly colonized become economically dependent on the same colonists who occupied them. The conflict that was colonialism versus anticolonialism has now turned into capitalism versus socialism.
This is another form of neocolonialism in a sense. Fanon implies that the colonial power is still in control of the Third World regardless of whether the colonized countries gain independence or not. Whether it is an outright occupation or economic or political control, even the independent nation is still held below a European power on some level.
Themes
Capitalist exploitation, Fanon says, is the enemy of Third World countries. Conversely, socialism—which is dedicated to the people and promotes the idea that the people are the most important assets of a nation—helps underdeveloped nations grow. However, Third World countries need more than “human investment.” The newly independent will agree to become “slaves of the nation,” but this cannot be sustained indefinitely. The formerly colonized must keep open the economic channels created by the colonists, otherwise the results will be disastrous. Developing countries need capital, and they admit that mere “human investment” is not enough.
Fanon doesn’t advocate for keeping much of the colonial situation after decolonization, but he does argue that Western channels of economics must remain. The Third World must be able to manufacture and sell goods in some way. To do so is the very basis of a capitalist society, which, Fanon argues, the Third World definitely is. Socialism will only turn the people back into “slaves,” putting them right back where they started.
Themes
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When Nazism made all of Europe a colony, the governments of European nations demanded reparations, and “moral reparations” will not suffice for the formerly colonized. The wealth of the former colonists also belongs to the formerly colonized. Europe was made rich by colonizing Latin America, China, and Africa, and as such, they have been created by the Third World. Thus, when a European nation helps a Third World country, they should not respond with gratitude. Such aid should not be considered “charity.” Rather, it should be part of a “dual consciousness,” Fanon says. The colonized must recognize that such aid is owed to them, and the capitalist powers must recognize that they have to pay.
Plainly put, Fanon implies that simply apologizing isn’t sufficient for the Third World. They want to be properly compensated for what they have lost and not made out to be a charity case when assistance is needed. After all, they probably wouldn’t need any assistance had their wealth not been stolen in the first place. Fanon’s use of the phrase “double consciousness” nods to a concept coined by W. E. B. Du Bois that assumes that black individuals see themselves through the racist eyes of their society. Fanon turns this concept on its head: his idea of dual consciousness involves both parties recognizing that the Third World has been wronged, and Europe actually righting that wrong.
Themes
Third World countries should not have to beg at the feet of capitalist nations, Fanon argues. The formerly colonized are strong in the justness of their plight, and it is their responsibility to tell the capitalist nations that the central issue of the times is not a war between capitalism and socialism. Instead of fighting the Cold War, all money and efforts should be put into rehabilitating underdeveloped countries. The Third World does not want to destroy Europe; what it wants is to be assisted back to economic and social good health by the same countries who kept them as slaves.
Fanon’s argument is again clearly articulated here. For the Third World, it is simple: Europe must right the wrong of colonialism. Fanon and the Third World believe this deeply, and this is reflected in Fanon’s repeated mention of it. Decolonization is the most important issue of Fanon’s time, and he says it every chance he gets. However, the repetition of this message also reflects just how much the Third World is ignored.
Themes
