MDDM Ch. 7 Attitudes to slavery

[Terrance]

jbor wrote:
> 
> paulngale at supanet.com wrote:
> 
> > Perhaps it is Dixon's dissenting, working-class background that makes it
> > easier for him to relate to the non-Dutch/colonialist population: "They have
> > noted his unconceal'd attraction to the Malays and the Black slaves, - their
> > Food, their Appearance, their Music, and so, it must be obvious, their
> > desires to be deliver'd out of oppression" (p61). Later on, Mason ("another
> > story") will refer to "this place as another Planet ... where these
> > Dutch-speaking White natives are as alien to the civilisation we know as the
> > very strangest of Pygmies" (p69). Mason, it seems, is guilty of
> > anglocentrism and, therefore, incapable of the class analysis that Dixon
> > ("what are tha talking about?") provides. Ultimately, Mason's
> > identity/self-image will depend on his ability to put Dixon in his place.
> > His "someday, Lad, you'll be running your own Expedition, bearing all the
> > weight of Leadership" (p72) attempts to belittle Dixon, much as the
> > colonialist mentality seeks to belittle native populations. Austra has been
> > given a voice to explain the situation to a baffled Mason, and Dixon has
> > already denied that the natives are "childlike" (p67).
> >
> 
> Though I also find Dixon more likeable than Mason to this point I don't
> think it's quite as neat as this. Mid-chapter and D & M are entertaining
> "prolong'd Phantasies upon the Topick" of slavery. Both of them apparently
> "take their Joy of it." Mason imagines himself "being fann'd, fed, amus'd",
> which Dixon asserts, only half-seriously perhaps, if not a wry smile then a
> rising intonation to his voice at the very least: "Mason, why thah' is
> dis-gusting ... ?" (69.14)
> 
> But a few pages later on it is Dixon who is glossing over the iniquities of
> the Cape settlement. What Mason perceives as a "Viper-Plantation" with the
> Dutch Company as the Devil's own "Caretakers" Dixon characterises as a "Gala
> that never stops." (71) Thing is, Dixon says his dreams are "very like"
> Mason's, so it's not much what is perceived as the way it is perceived.
> 
>

I agree with both posts. 

 Not sure Paul is proposing a neat distinction in their attitudes. But
there is a difference.  There is clearly a difference we should be alert
to, but there are similarities as well. And ambiguities abound, ironies
are plentiful. For example,  Dixon's (Dixie) own name will characterize
the South in the war. Mason's view of the freedom English women enjoy is
challenged by a female slave. The Vroom (Dutch) women excite Mason and
send a slave into his bed. Mason turns to Dixon for help. Dixon, who is
very interested in the Powers other cultures possess (this interest is
not so innocent), tells Dixon about Sakti, which he says has not always
worked against Dutch men. The ironies fly over both their heads.   Dixon
characterization of the Cape as a "Gala" and his interest in things
like  markets outside the perimeter, his interest in  others and their 
powers,  cannot be completely divorced from Mason's interests nor what
infects Mason's attitudes.