Emin Pasha — A Closer Reading

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Authors: Plehn, M. C., Upton, George P. (George Putnam), 1834-1919 [Translator] Digital Source: Project Gutenberg Gutenberg Release Year: 2019 First Publication Year: Not confirmed

Key Word: Emin Pasha, 1840-1892 -- Juvenile literature; Explorers -- Biography -- Juvenile literature; Scientists -- Biography -- Juvenile literature Target Reader: Readers of public-domain and historical texts

Book Edition: Project Gutenberg digital edition Book Language: en

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Words 28,073

Reading time 123 min

Text sections 4

The source record for Emin Pasha — A Closer Reading measures this digital text at 28,073 words, 2 hr 3 min estimated reading time, and 4 detected text sections.

The text analysis averages about 19.5 words per sentence, while the detected sections provide another way to judge how the source is divided.

Project Gutenberg metadata also associates the work with “Emin Pasha, 1840-1892 -- Juvenile literature,” connecting these edition facts with the source record’s subject description.

Source: Project Gutenberg record #59691

This editorial note examines the structure and recurring imagery in M. C. Plehn's biography of Emin Pasha, translated by George P. Upton, focusing on the movement between scenes of scientific pursuit and political crisis, and the contrast between Emin's scholarly nature and the harsh realities of African exploration.

Editorial Edition Score 4.6/5

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eaves, a woven hammock and a large tent screen were given to Emin as a present. Books, various instruments, a revolver, and a small gun were also very welcome. Dr. Junker’s servants and maids received for their share pearls, copper and bronze bracelets, needles, thread, knives, and scissors, which are used as a medium of exchange among the savages in place of money. Linen garments were also divided among them, but two pieces of woollen stuffs and a new costume were retained by Dr. Junker, as he reflected that he might have use for them later.

Chapter III The Carpenter of Dongola and the Mahdists

“The All-merciful God has placed the sword of victory in my hands and declares to all peoples that I am the Mahdi. He has designated me by the white scar upon my right cheek. In the uproar of battle I will follow the gleaming banner, borne by Asrael, the death angel, the destroyer of my enemies.” With these words Mohammed Achmet, the carpenter of Dongola, a settler upon the island of Aba, announced to the world his mission to purify Islam and found a kingdom of justice and happiness.

This was in May, 1881. The attention of the Egyptian government was now fixed upon Mohammed Achmet. Hitherto it was hoped that they had only to deal with one of those fanatical outbreaks which are frequent in the Orient and quickly subside, but when the feast of Ramadhan occurred, the pallid apostle, haggard from his penitential fast, appeared with weapons in his hands. Several attempts to make him prisoner failed, which only tended to confirm the reports of his sanctity. Abu Saud was slain; and Raschid Bey, who tried to stem his victorious course, fell at the head of his overwhelmingly defeated troops. The Mahdi unfurled the banner of revolt in the country of Baggaria.

There were many grounds for discontent in the Soudan. The venality of the officials, the unjust and oppressive tax levies, the partiality shown to agents had quietly and slowly created excitement among the people. As Emin told his friend, the attempted suppression of the slave trade had obstructed the sources of wealth and together with the extortionate taxes had impoverished the country without having beneficial effects of any kind. The hatred grew daily and this precept of the Koran found an echo in their hearts: “Slay those who would slay you. Slay them wherever you find them. Hunt them down, for the temptation to idolatry is worse than death.”

The revolt was now in full blast. On the seventh of June, 1882, the army of Jussuf Pasha was surprised in the dense forests of Mount Kadas and annihilated. The Mahdi, as the result of this victory, secured large additions to his followers, sent an expedition to the south, invested Kordofan, and made himself master of the west bank of the Nile. In the meantime there was such unrest in Alexandria that the English government took steps to protect its own subjects and declared its readiness to conduct operations in the Soudan. Lieutenant Stewart was sent to Khartoum to study the revolt and suggest measures for suppressing it. Certain operations succeeded, but the results were not lasting.

In September, 1883, a large army was organized in command of General Hicks. This new army, of one thousand men, five hundred horses, and fifty-five hundred camels, should have been a match for the irregular troops of the Mahdi. The beginning of operations was auspicious. At Alloba one detachment of Mahdists was dispersed and on the second of November, while marching through a thickly wooded region, General Hicks attacked the rebels and forced them to retreat. But on the fourth of November they suddenly found themselves surrounded by a force over one hundred thousand strong and the heights resounded with the war cry, “Ti sebil Ellah,” the fatalistic invocation presaging destruction.

All efforts were idle. Their heroic courage could not enable them to break through that wall of iron which blocked every possible avenue of escape. On the afternoon of November 7 (1883) the attack was universal, murderous, and desperate. It was no longer a battle, but a massacre. Hicks was killed and all his soldiers with him. Mohammed Achmet collected the heads of the slain and sent them home as trophies. The cause of the prophet apparently was under divine protection. The revolt grew in importance and even the gentlest of the races made common cause with the victor. The fortune of war also favored the rebels in the eastern Soudan.

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The biography of Emin Pasha, translated by George P. Upton, opens with a striking contrast: the explorer Dr. Junker finds Emin looking old and haggard, while Captain Casati appears worn with care. This initial image of physical deterioration sets a pattern for the work, where the body's frailty is repeatedly juxtaposed with intellectual vigor. The narrative moves between scenes of scientific observation—Emin studying plants and birds—and moments of political tension, such as the fraught meeting with Stanley. The structure relies on this oscillation, creating a rhythm that mirrors Emin's own divided loyalties between his scholarly pursuits and his duties as governor.

The Rhythm of Crisis and Calm

The book's structure alternates between periods of relative peace and sudden upheaval. Early chapters like 'Calm Before the Storm' and 'The Enemy Approaches' establish a pattern of mounting tension followed by resolution. This is not merely a narrative device but reflects the historical reality of Emin's situation: his scientific work in the Equatorial Provinces was constantly interrupted by political crises. The translator's preface hints at friction between Emin and Stanley, and the text itself shows this through the pacing of their interactions. Stanley's arrival brings a brief celebratory moment—a bottle of champagne—but the joy is quickly overshadowed by the 'disagreeable dark shadow' of disagreement over the return home. The structure thus emphasizes the fragility of peaceful interludes.

Recurring Images of Provision and Deprivation

Throughout the excerpts, images of supplies and their lack recur. Stanley's expedition brings 'thirty chests of Remington cartridges'—a paltry amount for Emin's needs. Emin, in turn, provides shoes, garments, tobacco, salt, honey, corn, and grain. This exchange of goods becomes a metaphor for the larger relationship between the two men: Stanley offers military aid, while Emin provides sustenance and local knowledge. The text notes that 'they were exchanging rôles,' suggesting a reversal of expectations. The physical condition of Stanley's men—'lean and exhausted'—contrasts with the Soudanese soldiers who stand 'in parade order,' highlighting the disparity between the relief expedition and those it came to save. These material details ground the narrative in tangible realities.

Movement Between Interior and Exterior Spaces

The narrative moves fluidly between intimate conversations and expansive landscapes. The meeting at the lake begins with private dialogue between Emin and Stanley, then shifts to the public spectacle of the Soudanese welcoming Stanley's men. Later, the text describes Stanley's journey 'back through the gloomy forest,' a phrase that evokes the oppressive environment. This movement between interior and exterior spaces mirrors Emin's own psychological journey: his internal scientific focus versus the external demands of leadership. The forest itself becomes a recurring symbol of danger and uncertainty, a place where plans unravel. The structure of the book, with chapters like 'Again in the Dark Forest,' reinforces this cyclical return to the wilderness.

The Role of Letters and Documents

Letters and official documents play a crucial structural role in the narrative. Stanley's letter to the Khedive, quoted in full, serves as a turning point, outlining the options for Emin's people. The text also references a letter given to Jephson, which Stanley instructs him to read aloud. These documents are not mere embellishments; they drive the plot forward and reveal the characters' intentions. Emin's intimate knowledge of European affairs, gleaned from 'a few old newspapers,' underscores his isolation and intellectual hunger. The inclusion of an appendix further suggests the importance of documentary evidence. By weaving these texts into the narrative, the author creates a sense of historical authenticity and highlights the bureaucratic realities of colonial administration.

Readers attentive to the book's structure will notice how the author uses repetition—of images, settings, and even phrases—to build a portrait of a man caught between two worlds. The narrative does not offer easy judgments; instead, it presents Emin's story through a series of contrasts: science versus politics, provision versus deprivation, interior reflection versus external action. This editorial note has focused on these patterns, but the full text contains many more such threads. Approach the biography as a study in tension, where every moment of calm carries the seed of the next crisis.

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