By Nadine Gordimer
Title: The Conservationist
Author: Nadine Gordimer
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publication Year: 1974
Awards: 1974 Booker Prize Winner
“The Conservationist” is a profound and intricate novel that delves into the complexities of South African society during apartheid. The story revolves around Mehring, a wealthy industrialist and landowner who buys a farm as a way to escape the chaos of his urban life and to symbolize his desire to conserve something pure. However, his attempts at conservation, both of the land and his identity, are met with resistance from the environment, the farmworkers, and the socio-political realities of apartheid.
Themes and Analysis
1. Colonialism and Land Ownership:
At the heart of “The Conservationist” is a penetrating critique of colonialism and the concept of land ownership. Mehring’s relationship with the land is emblematic of the white colonial mindset, which views land as a possession to be controlled and exploited. Gordimer skillfully contrasts this with the indigenous connection to the land, portraying the farmworkers’ intuitive and symbiotic relationship with the soil. This juxtaposition underscores the dissonance between colonial and indigenous worldviews, highlighting the injustice and moral blindness inherent in the former.
2. Environmental Conservation:
The title of the novel is deeply ironic. Mehring considers himself a conservationist, but his efforts to conserve are superficial and self-serving. His attempts to control the land mirror his attempts to control the people and relationships around him. Gordimer uses Mehring’s futile struggle against natural forces to symbolize the inevitable collapse of artificial systems of power and control. The recurring motif of natural disasters and the resilience of the land and its people act as metaphors for the political upheaval brewing in South Africa.
3. Alienation and Identity:
Mehring’s character is marked by a profound sense of alienation. Despite his wealth and power, he is disconnected from his surroundings, his family, and even himself. His isolation is a metaphor for the broader social alienation experienced under apartheid, where human connections are fractured by systemic oppression and racial divides. Gordimer explores how Mehring’s existential crises and his fragmented identity reflect the broader identity crises of a society built on inequity and exclusion.
4. Social and Political Critique:
“The Conservationist” is an incisive social and political critique of apartheid South Africa. Through Mehring’s interactions with the farmworkers, his family, and his own introspections, Gordimer exposes the moral and ethical bankruptcy of apartheid. The novel does not offer easy solutions but rather compels readers to confront the stark realities of racial injustice and the long-lasting scars of colonialism.
5. Symbolism and Style:
Gordimer’s prose is rich with symbolism and poetic imagery. The land itself becomes a character in the novel, embodying the tensions and contradictions of South African society. The recurrent image of the dead body found on Mehring’s farm serves as a potent symbol of the buried histories and suppressed voices of the indigenous population. Gordimer’s narrative style, with its stream-of-consciousness technique and shifting perspectives, immerses readers in the psychological landscape of her characters, making the political personal and the personal political.
Character Analysis
Mehring:
Mehring is a complex and often unlikable protagonist. His wealth and privilege afford him a superficial sense of control, yet he is perpetually haunted by his own inadequacies and the impermanence of his power. His interactions with the farmworkers reveal his paternalistic and often patronizing attitude, yet Gordimer’s nuanced portrayal also elicits a measure of pity for his existential plight.
Jacob and Other Farmworkers:
The farmworkers, particularly Jacob, represent the enduring connection to the land and the quiet resistance to oppression. Though they occupy the margins of the narrative, their presence is felt strongly throughout the novel. They embody the resilience and continuity of indigenous culture and knowledge, standing in stark contrast to Mehring’s alienation and transience.
Antonia:
Antonia, Mehring’s former lover, serves as a foil to his character. Her independence and political awareness highlight Mehring’s complacency and detachment. Through her, Gordimer introduces a feminist critique, examining the intersections of gender, power, and resistance.
Conclusion
“The Conservationist” is a masterful work that weaves together environmental, social, and political themes with lyrical prose and deep psychological insight. Nadine Gordimer’s ability to encapsulate the complexities of apartheid South Africa in the microcosm of a farm is both impressive and haunting. The novel challenges readers to reflect on issues of land, identity, and justice, making it a timeless and essential read. Through Mehring’s story, Gordimer not only critiques a specific historical context but also explores universal themes of power, alienation, and the human condition. “The Conservationist” remains a testament to Gordimer’s literary genius and her unflinching commitment to social justice.
