Mediterannean Studies

The main thesis of this reading is that Kateb Yacine’s play “l’homme aux sandales de caoutchouc” is a critique of political happenings through history. Kateb demonstrates his views on colonialism and the bourgeoisie through both thematic and linguistic satire.  This play is a call for a political revolution.  Kateb Yacine projects the clear abuse of political power that has been prevalent throughout history. Kateb takes a universal approach to his play by using a variety of different countries in order to bring in an international audience, although it ended up attracting a more local audience rather than an international one.

Kateb Yacine was a strong believer in socialist politics.  Throughout this reading, it was clear that he was not a supporter of colonialism.  Kateb Yacine seemed to be passionate about representing the oppressed people in many different societies, this can be seen in his play as he writes about France, Vietnam, the United States and other countries. At one point in his play Kateb Yacine suggests that communism could be the solution many issues regarding oppression, but was also critical towards the idea of communism.  This demonstrates that he does not know exactly what the best option is, but how history has played out has been ineffective.  Throughout Kateb Yacine’s play, he critiqued various leaders from different countries such as President Nixon, Johnson as well as Hitler.  At one point it is said that he drew parallels between Hitler and President Lyndon Johnson to prove a point about oppression.  Kateb used satire to criticize colonial events throughout history by using strong symbols to represent different leaders from these countries like France, for example.

Kateb criticizes colonial propaganda throughout his career as a writer and made clear his pessimistic opinion towards the “free world”.  Kateb message is that the free world is full of greed and oppression.  Kateb Yacine believed that the people in power are abusing their power, and the proletariat should unit to fight against the bourgeoisie.  Yacine mentions that there will always be another Hitler, or another war, or more evil that will always take advantage of the proletariat.

Kateb Yacine demonstrates a very strong opinion on colonialism and the chain of abuse that is created by it.  In the play, there is a character “Face de Ramadhan” who is oppressed by the French army. The abuse shown to “Face de Ramadhan” results his violence and self destruction, as well as a pattern of abuse when he meets a Vietnamese boy and demonstrates the same actions that were shown to him.  This is a strong example of the oppression that is passed down from being oppressed.  When people only know one thing which is being abused and treated poorly, they will, in turn, adopt these behaviors themselves.