King Solomon’s Mines
While reading today, I was able to picture the part of the book (mentioned below) best because I could understand who the characters were and obtain more information about them. Allan Quartermain (the protagonist) goes aboard a boat from England in South Africa directed to England. In the boat he meets Sir Henry Curtis, an old man whose father died and left all his possessions to his oldest son, Sir Curtis and Captain John Good. After talking to each other for some time, Sir Curtis inquires Allan if he is the great hunter Allan Quartermain. Allan confirms Sir Curtis’s suspicion. As a result they ask Allan if he could accompany them to their room so they can speak of more serious matters without being overheard. After Sir Curtis explains to Allan that upon his father’s death he was left with all his father’s possessions. His brother, Neville, out of jealousy left home to find a greater treasure. But Sir Curtis is not pleased with how his relationship with his brother ended so he tries to look for him and share equally his father’s wealth. Surprisingly, Allan tells him that he has met his brother in Africa and that he told Allan he was heading to King Solomon’s mines to get rich. Sir Curtis inquires Allan if he knows how to reach the mines. Allan says he got a map some time ago from a Portuguese and that he promised him he would go to the mines independent of what. Sir Curtis makes a deal with Allan that if he guides them towards that place, Sir Curtis will give him a fair amount of money.
After reading this I think I can connect most with Sir Curtis because he is loyal to his family and has an elevated sense of guilt and responsibility. When my father gives me or my brother money to buy something I usually buy something that can be useful or tasty, meanwhile my brother buys useless materials and always wants me to share what I obtained. At first I always think of how reckless he was in wasting his money in something he won’t ever use but yet my conscience always entices me into sharing my possecions and if he was in the other part of the world I would travel just to find him as well. Yet, I have not traveled anywhere so far with a feeling of guilt. So, it’s really hard for me to think of something I have done that the characters have done as well. The only thing I can relate to the characters is Allan lies to the Kukuanas by saying that they are sons of the biggest star that shines so they will not get killed. Similarly, I have told one teacher that my brother scribbled all over my homework when in reality I had only forgotten it and did not want some points off.
I am having more difficulty understanding the Colonial people’s ways of doing things. They kill people for no reason at all. This is difficult for me to understand since I live in a culture that protects people’s rights and lives at all costs.
Having this said, I would like to have Allan as a friend because his language and hunting skills would come in handy when I would travel to South Africa. He also is good at tricking the natives with materials that are only known in other countries apart from Africa. Therefore, if I could jump into the book right now I would tell Sir Curtis not to trust the black African that wants to travel with them with no costs and wants to carry their luggage. I think that it is very unusual since all Africans referred to in this book will only travel with them to their destination if and only if they pay them.
I think that based in the discoveries I made so far Ignosi, the black African, will steal all their luggage or murder Allan and get all their possessions. Without their possessions, water or food they will wonder in the desert for many days and will finally reach King Solomon’s mines where they will find food, water and will become rich.
I can relate this book to my previous book Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth where Rachel a human is asked to lead Annabeth and Percy through the labyrinth since she can see through the mist . In reward Percy promises that he will tell her more about the surreal world he lives in.
This book contains alliteration to make words stand out in the reader’s attention, imagery to make it easier for the reader to understand the surroundings of the characters and personification since the native people give various human traits to inanimate objects. These literary devices and the existing cities, places and real characters make the story more realistic and credible.
This book is very easy to read and gives people more knowledge about a different place in the world, in this case South Africa. Unfortunately it is not challenging at all but since it is a mandatory read. I would recommend it to people who are still finding interest in reading.
