Reviewing the Travel Classic as a pre-Sociological Study

Me, myself, and I...oh, and some other folks too

Some messages inlaid in this semester’s series of readings are crystal clear: the importance of exploration, the ingenuity of discovery, the race for property, knowledge, and respect. In one way or another, each of the travel classics that we have read have communicated some particular combination of these achievements, whether the goal of the author/protagonist was material or intellectual. In the face of the numerous (though often morally questionable) social and political accomplishments of each of our “classic” figures, it is crucial to also examine the more personal side of these famous literary and historical figures: how can we ignore the depth and breadth of the relationships forged during their travels? Whether our explorers sparked some sort of connection with another person, a place, a new society as a whole, or a deeper understanding of their own self-worth or destiny, it is undeniable that their travels helped to unlock new relationships. Bear with me while I dissect this concept in relation (no pun intended) to the stories we have read during our own journey through classic travel literature.

The Odyssey: In this ancient Greek epic, Odysseus’ relationships determine the course of the entire plotline. His obvious motivating factors are to return home and resume his status as king, husband, and father. During his journey from Troy these goals become compromised, and as a result Odysseus is forced to use his cunning skills of manipulation in order to ensure his return to Ithaca. Subject to his wiles are his crew members (who he does show genuine concern and respect for, yet ultimately uses as pawns in his larger pursuit), the gods, the inhabitants of each of the lands he encounters, and the monsters. His ability to interact with these various people and creatures is the invaluable tool that enables him to return home.

Herodotus: As I wrote in my blog post on Herodotus, he often used his own society as a mirror by which to compare those that he was visiting. This reflection shows his connection to his homeland, which peeks through quite obviously in his writing. His reaction to the indigenous peoples of the countries that he travels to is also very telling: more often than not, he writes about them with a condescending yet voyeuristic tone, simultaneously condemning and fetishizing many of his subjects.

Marco Polo: Taking a page out of Herodotus’ book, Polo captures the same scrutinizing tone, holding these “new” cultures up to judgement against his own Italian background. Furthermore, Polo is the first one to show a distinct religious prejudice, referring often to the Islamic societies as a threat, or projecting them as the enemy. His writings reflect the greater Christian sentiment of his time, that of the opposition to the “Saracens”. He not only posits himself as a contrast to their ways, but enlarges the objectification by involving the Church as a player.

Ibn Battutah: Here, religion is used as a conduit in a completely different way. Battutah, as a Muslim pilgrim, weaves his account as one from the inside, as opposed to the Mediterranean and European outsider perspectives of Herodotus and Marco Polo. His alignment with the culture allows him to permeate the genre in a distinct fashion, creating an entirely different perspective than those who preceded him and, indeed, of many to follow.

Columbus: The famed explorer’s diaries expose not only his spiritual connection to the Church as he indicates conversion of the natives as a primary goal of his expedition, but his somewhat superficial loyalties to the Spanish king and queen. His entries pander directly to their sentiments of sovereignty as he quantifies entire societies as “easily Christianized” or “easily made into slaves”.

Cabeza de Vaca: This conquistador manages, unintentionally, to do what Columbus would not deign to do: forge a connection with the native Americans. While thrown somewhat haphazardly  and unwillingly into this position, Cabeza de Vaca immersed fully into the culture, a feat accomplished by not one of the other travelers we have studied. His survival in the often xenophobic and violent native society is a testament to his ability to effectively connect and communicate with the tribes.

The Tempest: The storyline laid out in Shakespeare’s play stands alone in our reading selections in many ways. Not only does the fictional protagonist possess magical powers, but he singularly exercises complete control over the island, and manages to keep the virtue and nobility of his daughter intact. Obviously Shakespeare is the master of spinning a quite spectacular tale that has been a potentially questionable inclusion in our syllabus. However, the focus on the relationship between Prospero and Miranda illuminates the more personal motivators behind travel and survival: here, we have not only the first major female figure, but the first family member to make a significant appearance in our travel stories. This relationship is a more obvious one, but recalls the concept that each of our chosen characters did indeed embark with personal goals in mind in addition to the more socially and economically profitable.

The only plausible overarching theme is that of the formation of an important, defining relationship. Chronologically, there is only some correspondence in theme and relation. For example, our earlier writers – Homer and Herodotus specifically have completely different motives. Later in time, Columbus and Cabeza de Vaca share the goal of colonization, but have vastly different experiences with the terrain of the New World and its inhabitants. The Tempest stands out particularly by reason of the protagonists’ situation – that is, not having had much choice in the matter about being stuck on the island. Ideologically, there were many different motivators: Columbus and Cabeza de Vaca strove for economic prosperity, Ibn Battutah and Columbus for a display of religious piety, Prospero and Odysseus for returning to –or establishing a sense of –home.

The connections forged by each of these major characters – whether to their own agenda, the people they encountered, the promise of wealth, or any other factor – propelled them through their travels. The importance of their relationships is intrinsic to the development of their stories.