Review of Nation
Throughout the book, Nation, by Terry Pratchett, stereotyping others comes up again, and again. The English stereotype the Islanders as Savages, and the Islanders stereotype the English as "trousermen," as greedy, mean people.
"…Now, can we get on with things before we get eaten, for goodness’ sake?" Daphne’s grandmother (a trouserwoman) says this when talking about the islanders. Many English people view the Islanders as all savage cannibals. Although there are islander tribes that practice cannibalism in the story, this certainly wasn’t one of them. However, it would be a stereotype to say that all the trousermen view the Islanders like this. Daphne did at first when she pointed the gun at Mau, but she quickly learns the truth, and shares it with her father, the King.
The Islanders also stereotype the trousermen. Milo and Pilu were skeptical of Daphne when they first arrived on the island, and they had lots of experience with trousermen from being on a boat with them for a while. However, when Daphne helps Milo’s wife with giving birth, they gain respect for her. They no longer think of her as a greedy Hooty Tooty English girl. The other people who arrive at the island are skeptical of her at first, they all gain respect. Some trousermen who visit the island are greedy murderers like First Mate Cox, but the Islanders realize that they are different from others.
Although the Islanders and Trousermen have their stereotypes, they usually come around and realize that there are many different types of people from each society. Even the snobby Trouserman grandmother warms up to the Islanders when she helps the toothless Mrs. Gurgle (as Daphne calls her) with chewing her food. Throughout the book, stereotyping other does come up, but the truth is usually resolved.
Response to Question # 4 from Nation Discussion Guide.
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ISBN: 0061433012 |
Nation (9780061433016): Terry Pratchett: Books
