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Gabriel-Ernest (Homosexuality (Cunningham compares GE's appearance to…
Gabriel-Ernest
Homosexuality
Context: Author H.H. Munro was a gay man living in a time period and a society and which that was not acceptable.
Cunningham compares GE's appearance to a "wild faun of Pagan myth", common feature of homoerotic text.
Many different Pagan myths and ideas featured homosexual themes and stories whereas other religions looked down on it. Pagan groups today are popular amongst LGBT communities and in many cases, are geared towards LGBT members.
GE feels very uncomfortable in regular clothes and house; mirrors how closeted gay men would feel hiding their true selves in society.
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Social Structure
VC was a naturalist, a hobby enjoyed by more affluent members of society. Can explain his carelessness towards danger in his town as it won't affect him (no livestock or kids to worry about).
GE can represent those in poverty: no home or family, has to go to great lengths to feed himself, people like VC don't exactly care about helping them or even seeing the root of their problems.
The townspeople can represent working class people. They work hard for their families and themselves. When danger strikes, they suffer and have to pay the price due to the carelessness of the rich.
Imperialism
Context: Scramble for Africa and Imperialism in general was growing rampant. The British colonized many nations and depicted their people as savages in order to justify their actions.
GE is portrayed as a savage despite his surroundings, VC and his mom forcibly attempt to "civilize" him according to their own standards and it goes horribly wrong.
Munro can be seen as criticizing imperialism and the fact that it "benefits" the colonizers to the detriment of the indigenous.
Politics
Context: GE was published in 1909, most likely written in the few years prior.
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Tensions and alliances grew, brewing WW1.
Van Cheele lies and hides information from his community to protect his reputation, something he's very caring about. It is clear he cares more about his image than the wellbeing of his people.