jekyll and hyde
jekyll and hydeJean-Paul Sartre writes, in his essay, “Existentialism”, that an individual’s responsibility extends not only to him or herself, but also to all of humanity. He believes that we must take this into account for every decision we make. This extra accountability can cause distress for an individual because of the pressure that it brings. In Lorraine Hansberry’s play, Les Blancs, Tshembe is faced with an important decision that will not only affect his own life, but the lives of his whole nation. Although none of Tshembe’s decisions are without struggle, and irresolution, he reacts to the controversy before him by making choices in accordance with Sartre’s definition of “good faith,” despite the anguish it causes him.
To properly address the decisions of Tshembe according to Sartre’s beliefs of human reality we must first understand that denial of God, as an all-powerful, all-knowing, all-determining being, is fundamental to the concept of existentialism. Since there is no divine spirit that determines the nature of humans, it is humans who conceive their own nature. Without a deity to create and establish our beliefs, humans must turn to themselves to give life meaning and values upon which they will base their decisions, and ultimately their lives. We are born into the world without any previous persona, conscience, or value system. It is each person’s responsibility to establish his/her essence, or the characteristics of his/her existence. (Sartre 3-9)
This essence is created through a compilation of decisions. According to Sartre, a person is nothing more than a collection of the decisions he/she makes. A person’s only existence is within him/herself and within his/her reactions to the world around them. “There is no reality except in action. Man is nothing else than his plan; he exists only to the extent that he fulfills himself; he is therefore nothing else than the ensemble of his acts, nothing else than his life” (Sartre 5). A person creates his/her own world, and her/she is therefore responsible for everything and everyone within it. Every decision a person makes sets an example for what they think the world ought to be. Since there is no God for which to turn for guidance, there are also no excuses for the outcome of your choices. You are completely responsible for all of humanity, and there is no one but yourself to blame if you falter. (Sartre 3-9)
According to Sartre, it is our duty to make decisions in “good faith”. A “good faith” decision contains characteristics that if practiced will better the state of humanity for everyone. When making a “good faith” decision a person is putting the benefit of humanity before his/her own benefit. They are conscientiously choosing to set a good example for how they think the world could be bettered for all. In turn, a decision made primarily for the benefit of anything but humanity would be a “bad faith” decision. By consistently choosing to make “good faith” decisions, a person follows a path to existential freedom. The pressure to make the right choice for humanity can often lead to anguish and despair, due to the fact that we feel liable for any bad that might come out of it. These views of Sartre is contrary to the view that is held by some in which we respond to a world where freedom is determined, where we only don’t in fact have the ability to make our own choices and create our own world. (Sartre 3-9)
“Les Blancs” is concerned with the clash between native Africans and imperialist Europeans in Africa during the middle of the twentieth century and the characters’ reactions to it. The main character, Tshembe Matoseh, is the son a great African warrior, a man who fought for the independence of his beloved homeland. Tshembe has just returned from Europe, where he has not only fallen in love with the country, but has married and become a father himself. Tshembe’s main conflict is whether to succumb to the pressure of the Africans and fight in his father’s footsteps, or return to Europe where he could settle down with his new family.
This conflict continues throughout the play, as Tshembe is torn between the love of his native land and the happiness he has found with his new family in Europe. Although he expresses his joy in Europe, Tshembe’s nostalgic feelings are plainly evident from the moment he arrives. Tshembe’s reason for returning to Africa is to attend his father’s funeral. He assumes that the ceremony will be held in accord with traditional African fashion. However, when he mentions this to his older brother, who has recently been ordained in the Christian church, he is questioned on the practicality of these traditions. Tshembe is extremely angered by his brother’s lack of sentiment toward their upbringing. Even though he doesn’t believe in all of the folklore, he feels responsible for providing his father and the village with a traditional ceremony. Tshembe still considers himself to be closely tied to the African community. This fact is important because it sets up the choice Tshembe must make between his homeland and Europe.
It is obvious that Tshembe, although he has spent considerable time in Europe, still feels very connected and passionate about what is happening in Africa. At another point in the play, Tshembe is talking with an American writer, Charlie Morris, who has been spending time in the village. Their conversation tends to be concerned with views on imperialism and the current situation in Africa. Tshembe becomes extremely riled by these topics and at one point even exclaims, “It is still yesterday in Africa, Mr. Morris, and it will take a million tomorrows to rectify what has been done here” (Hansberry 55). He feels that Africa has been raped of it resources, its culture, and its freedom, and that this isn’t an offense which can be easily forgiven. This is another issue which affects Tshembe’s decision concerning his future.
Although Tshembe is very concerned with the situation in Africa, he finds it hard to bring himself to fight. During the play, Charlie asks Tshembe if he hates all white men. Tshembe replies, “I do not ‘hate’ all white men – but I desperately wish that I did. It would make everything infinitely easier (p. 56)!” This line is symbolic of the struggle that ensues within Tshembe’s conscience. He feels the need to free Africa, but does not like the idea of violence or of abandoning his family in Europe. If he truly felt hatred towards white men he would find it much easier to lead a violent rebellion. Instead he resents bloodshed, and wishes there was an easier way to heal the wounds of imperialism. This an example of the anguish that Tshembe will have to endure by making a decision by Sartre’s definition of “good faith”.
Tshembe knows that he must fight in order to do what is best for humanity, and therefore make a decision in “good faith,” but is reluctant to make the sacrifices involved. He admits that he longs to return to a normal family life in England, although he knows that responsibility to his people will take precedence. Tshembe asks Charlie if, “In the future when you tell some tale or other of me, will you take the trouble to recall that as I stood here, spent and aware of what will probably happen to me, most of all I longed to be in a dim little flat off Langley Square, watching the telly with my family (p. 56)?” Tshembe is greatly torn between achieving simplicity and contentment with his European family and fulfilling his obligation to his homeland. He knows that he is Africa’s best hope in achieving independence. His father was a celebrated leader and the Africans will respect Tshembe and follow him as they did his father. Tshembe is aware that if he goes back to Europe he will have given up on his native land and deserted his people. Yet if he fights, he risks dying, and leaving his family without a father. This torment is the that Sartre refers to when he talks about making decisions in “good faith”.
Tshembe eventually makes his final decision concerning his future. Upon realizing that his brother has sided with the white missionaries, he chooses to kill him. The murder of his own brother, a priest and a symbol of Europe, signifies the end of Tshembe’s indecision. He has come to realize that there are sacrifices that need to be made in order to better the state of human reality for everyone. Tshembe is not necessarily an existentialist himself, but he models the ideals of Sartre’s notion of “good faith”. He makes a choice for the betterment of humanity, despite the anguish it brings him. He chooses to fight for his native land, although he is sacrificing contact with his family, as well as the life of his brother.
Through his actions and choices Tshembe shows that humans are free to influence the world in any way they choose. Even though not everyone may have the ability to make a visibly broad impact, each decision we make sets a new standard for humanity. We must take every moment of every day and cherish its importance, for the same global responsibility that causes us anguish and despair, can also be used to bring about positive change. We cherish our freedom and our ability to create our own world, but the responsibility that comes along with it can sometimes feel overwhelming. Nevertheless, we must always make the right choice, the choice for humanity. Individual freedom is a both a blessing and a burden, a miracle and a millstone. It is our responsibility, as human beings, to use it to the best of our advantage, to the best of human advantage, in order to reach the pinnacle of humanity.