Frantz Fanon Dying Colonialism Analysis

Revelations of a new Era brings a new chapter in the lives of its people. The decolonization through the Algerian Revolution marked by historians as the bloodiest confrontation as the liberators struggle to break themselves away from their European colonizers. Both sides saw their actions and motives as justified, and would see that their own ways of life conquer over the other. The stages of this battle would continue to plague the Algerian state with the trauma of what had occurred for years to come. Fanon’s a Dying Colonialism, combined with other readings showed the tenacity of the Algerian people and what steps they would take in order to gain their freedom. The five different essays that Frantz Fanon presents are a mixture of insightful
observations of rhetoric, philosophy, and passion. Algeria Unveiled is one of Dying Colonialism’s most debatable chapters since it discusses the role of women in the Revolution. One of the sections talks about women’s alleged confinements during the pre-revolutionary periods which kept them separated from colonizers. “The Algerian woman, in imposing such a restriction on herself, in choosing a form of existence limited in scope, was deepening her consciousness of struggle and preparing for combat ” Moreover, the attitude towards women throughout the chapter many of the discussions reveals around the women behind the veil. Unveiling the women would reveal their beauty, letting go of the secret they held so deeply. Showing her a new path, one they were once hidden in a world of mystery . This change in their culture made them stronger and pushed them to fight not only for themselves but for their country. Women were seen helping out in the mountains with the guerrilla when they rested, or even ensured the soldier’s wounds were well taken care of. They were also called upon to relay a complicated message from different outposts, or to stand watch outside while district leaders are conferring. Opposed by the colonizers who would rather see their women placed on a pedestal, then be used against them. The French colonizers would want to thrust them back into their “traditional roles” where they could be controlled. Thus, the romanticism is the slow determination of the Algerians to become one with the nation they once had.
Another example we get from this is during the chapter This is the voice of Algeria.
It projected the crowing about French victories in the field of battle, this stated by Radio Algiers made a clear stamen that the French power can be challenged. With the Algerians banding together over the voice of the radio, the French attempted to jam their signals, which led the people to improvise their ways of communication. Simply by the switch to another channel or finding other alternative means to get their message across. One other method was to broadcast their message in multiple languages. If they were going to continue the revolution, they would need to reach out as much as possible. The French language is used as another weapon of liberation
. Fanon’s fourth chapter revolves around medicine and how it how it was effected during Algeria colonization. Fanon argues that even colonial medicine, stating, “in all objectivity and all humanity’ should be perceived as beneficial, however, it is perceived by though that are colonized as just another part of the colonial operation. He clearly demonstrated from a bitter experience. Moreover, because the colonized refused to accept colonial medicine until the last possible moment. This lead to many of the colonized to become extremely sick and many of them died as a result, which in turn heightened the general mistrust the colonized, had for the colonizers. Fanon also had the opportunity to discuss an interview he had with one of the patients, “When the colonized escapes the doctor and the integrity of his body is preserved, he considers himself the victor by a handsome margin .” He also remarks on the patient's compliance with the treatment. During the interview, the patient reveals that the medicine was taken only once or what also happens is that the doctors prescribe the amount for one prescription for a month in a single dose. The Algerians felt disrespected and inferior when the European doctors disgraced their traditions and remedies. Fanon also explains this situation in both the ways of cultural differences and colonial power’s distribution of traditional culture. The patient had demonstrated fear of being caught in the middle of two opposing sides. He also begins to discuss how the European doctors had become active colonialist and later settlers. Robbing the native lands and conniving French rules for informing on patients. They even went as far as to treat patients, only to get them well enough again to continue through future torture. In the end, however, not all is lost. The coming of the Revolution brings rapid acceptance with modern medicine and the revitalization of Algerian doctors who initially were said to have betrayed their people when they turned to modern medicine. “Once the body of the nation begins to live again in a coherent and dynamic way, everything becomes possible ”
Therefore, romanticism continues to undermine painful experiences with those that show the light at the end of a long journey. This point leads into the final chapter that touches upon the European participation in the revolution. Among the European population that lived in Algeria, there were very few that supported the Algerians. While Fanon was still in Algeria, there may have been more participation by the European population early on in the war, mainly before the battle of Algiers. As the war dragged on, opinions begin to change and may change sides. Fanon demonstrates the emotion, passion, rage that those who lived through the war had to deal with.
The sheer horror of colonialism and racism. In a Dying Colonialism Fanon, like others meets them at the crossroads at the absolute horror of life in Algeria. Nothing could heal the experience they endured with a world of bombing and retaliations using torture. Violence was also predominate with hatred and lies. The book thus conveys a singular message that sums up that of the Algerian Struggle in which the only possible ending is liberation. Powerfully stated “The old Algeria is dead ” and that “the blood that has flowed onto national soil has produced a new humanity and no one must fail to recognize this fact.” Fanon’s view was that during the process of the revolution a new Algeria already exists for the Algerians. The FLN movements showed control where the effect was that they could mobilize any Algerian at any time. Depicting that Algeria can assert itself from French society and govern
herself.