Afterlives Analysis

Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah is a historical fiction novel set in Zanzibar, a diminutive island in Tanzania. The novel's central character is Ilyas, a young boy abducted by the Germans from his home to work for them as an enslaved person. The novel's main conflict is between the characters and the oppressive rule of the Germans. The novel's primary themes include the negative impact of colonialism and imperialism, family connection, love, and the struggle for independence.

The first significant topic in the novel is the impact of colonialism in Africa. The novel explores the challenges the Africans went through during the oppressive rule of the colonialists. The Germans, who advocated for imperialism and enslaved Africans in their farms, colonized Zanzibar. The novel's protagonist, Ilyas, is abducted by the Germans from their home and taken to the German estates to work as an enslaved person. Young men like Hamza are forced to fight as soldiers for the Germans in World War. In addition, most Africans lose their land to the colonizers, who enslave them in return.

The other important themes in the novel are family connection and love. Throughout the novel, Ilyas remembers his family despite living far away in the German estates. Ilyas has a deep connection with his family members and looks forward to reuniting with them when he gets an opportunity to escape. After working for the Germans for several years, Ilyas escapes and returns home to search for his family. Gurnah also explores the theme of love. The relationship between Hamza and Afiya is unique because even after separation, they love each other. Hamza and Afiya are sweethearts before the Germans abduct him to force him into the military. After several years, Hamza escapes the military and finds Afiya waiting patiently. Hamza and Afiya rekindle their love and marry each other.

The resistance against imperialism and colonial rule is the last major focus point in the novel Afterlives. The rise of the Maji Maji rebellion clearly illustrates that Africans in Tanzania are not happy with the oppressive rule of the Germans and are fighting to gain their independence. The rebellion's leader makes his people believe that if they fight the white man, the bullets will not hurt them. Despite this being a fallacy, the determination to fight the Germans shows African's wish to fight for independence in their country.