Controversy Of Change In People And Trade example essay topic

Controversies and conflicts are many ways to emphasize key characters and plots in many novels. Authors such as, Marys e Conde use change and the effects of change, to help the reader better understand the underlying themes. In the novel Segu, Conde does just this. The controversy of change in religion creates a fairly large civil conflict amongst the Bambara people. This same civil conflict eventually boils over into the controversy of change in people and trade. The effect of this change would later be described as the world's lowest point of society.

"On the other hand, Islam was dangerous: it undermined the power of kings, according sovereignty to one supreme god who was completely alien to the Bambara universe" (41). Was Islam the real controversy causing the conflict, or were the Bambara people stuck in their own worlds? "There is no god but Allah... ". (41). This is what was taught to many African people during the emergence of the Islamic culture.

Although many diverse religions existed before this emergence, Islam and its teachings spread quicker than people imagined. Its teachings were very formal and education-oriented. This was certainly evident through the emergence of Tiekoro, the son of Dousika Traore, who was the king's most trusted advisor, but not a well-respected man. As Conde stated on page 41, Segu seemed like it became smaller everyday, as if it were an island surrounded by other countries, which have unfortunately lost the battle to Islam. Tiekoro, being a young man, realized these rapid changes in his society. He, unlike many other Bambaras, decided to convert to the majority, leaving the minority (his Bambara people) behind to ponder what their next choice will be.

The culture of Islam has its positive aspects, as well as its negative aspects. Islam bestowed many unfortunate people the opportunity to gain more knowledge about their surroundings, and the adversities that they may face on a daily basis. Islam also created alliances, and trade contracts with other surrounding countries, allowing them to receive resources that other religions and groups could not envisage. However, to gain these privileges, Islam had to first fester the lives of many civilians that dared step in its path. Islam not only ruined the lives of people, but it ruined whole kingdoms. Many people felt and expressed that Islam was demoralizing the image and power of kings.

It somehow did this with persistence, and a case of bullying. Islam used its powers and privileges to the fullest extent. It threatened and terrified the morale of inferior religions. Tiekoro used the Islamic religion to his advantage.

Although his people disliked his decision, he somehow managed to make a bad situation into a perfect one. The idea that first intrigued Tiekoro was the idea of learning how to read and write. Learning to read and write was an opportunity to become more social and involved in the affluent society. He saw this as a way to expand his horizon and someday leave the country of Segu. Tiekoro's true motivation came in the form of a man. This man was his father.

". ... Tiekoro looked up to his father as a god. He had admired him much more then the Mans a. When had he started to think of him as a barbarian and an ignorant drinker of do lo? It was when the achievements of the Muslims had begun to acquire importance in his life.

But the fact that he'd stopped admiring his father didn't mean he didn't love him anymore... Tiekoro suffered from a conflict between his heart and his head, between instinctive feelings and intellectual reasoning" (22). Tiekoro saw his father, and the way he lived. From that point onward, he told himself that he would not turn into a man like that. He told himself that he would turn into a respected and well-rounded man. Eventually, Tiekoro did just that, becoming a saint to those who adored him in the Islamic community.

Even though he was shunned away from his homeland of Segu, Tiekoro still managed to educate and convert young Bambaras at his Koranic school. Dousika, the father of Tiekoro, and the king's most trusted advisor, was considered a bad influence on society. He felt that his position in the government allowed him to disrespect and disgrace not only his ancestors, but his religion as well. Therefore, leaving him as one of the least respected men in the novel. Islam also had a drastic effect on the life of Dousika.

Dousika was already seen as an outcast, when his eldest son, Tiekoro decided to disobey his religion and convert to the Islamic culture. This not only set Dousika farther back for failure, but it also shed a negative light on him and his family". Dishonor him. Accuse him of having cheated on his taxes. Banish him from court for it.

Take away his seat on the council and in the law court. Then put him under surveillance. You " ll soon see how he behaves then" (25). The disgust towards Dousika's character was truly evident, and was not hidden throughout the community. He was known as the outcast and he remained that way. The change of religion in Segu brought together a plethora of different people with very different lifestyles.

This change created the controversy and conflict that is said to be the lowest and darkest time in society. The slave trade was a very intricate business that grossed millions of dollars a year. However, all of that money was made off of someone's toil and despair. In the country of Segu, children and adults were being snatched from their communities and sold to slave masters in the new world. The ironic part of this business was that African people were endangering the safety of other Africans, because of their difference in religion and beliefs. Naba was an unfortunate victim in this situation.

He was captured and sent to the new world to work. He explains his position and feelings about the matter of slave trade. "When he heard this, Naba wept bitterly still... It was the latter pair who came over to Naba, crouched down beside him and examined him as if he were a horse or a heifer for sale" (76). His life completely changed after this incident. Afterwards, Naba became very sad and gloomy.

He was sent over to Brazil, where he managed to meet Iodel, (later named Romana) the love of his life. Iodel also experienced her own problems with the slave trade. After becoming a noble princess in her African country, Iodel was captured and sent to Brazil. Iodel was later raped by a group of Europeans, resulting in her abhorrence towards them. The slave trade effected the views of many Africans and Europeans; it distorted their view to see greed and money. This change in society resulted in first, controversy, and then conflict.

The use of religion to conquer lands helped erupt the evolution and popularity of the slave trade. Change is something that must happen in society. However, does change have to hurt your life and your family?