The Patriotism of David Humphreys: Nation, Narration, Orientalism  and the Algerine Captivity Question

Mouloud, Siber; Sabrina, Zerar

الممارسات اللّغويّة
Volume 2, Numéro 4, Pages 13-27
2011-12-01

The Patriotism Of David Humphreys: Nation, Narration, Orientalism And The Algerine Captivity Question

Authors : Mouloud Siber . Sabrina Zerar .

Abstract

studied the patriotism of David Humphreys as it is revealed in his Orientalist vision of Algiers during the so-called Barbary captivity crisis. His patriotism works out as a narrative of America’s march towards a state of nationhood, which he does through his Orientalist appropriation of Algiers. This is related to his celebration of the ideals of the American nation in contrast to a demonization of Algiers. Therefore, his patriotic poems are considered as narratives of the United States as a nation of liberty and progress contrasted to Algiers as a slave and despotic power. Following Homi Bhabha’s idea of nationness, the paper has shown David Humphreys’s celebration of the American people’s march into the status of “freedom’s heirs” entitled with “the pursuit of happiness”. This is through the workings of the Institutions of the land for the promotion and protection of the ideals of justice, equality and freedom. As narration involves progress rather than regress, he adds that the United States is bestowed a “glorious future” as the people inherited the fundamental principle of the “love of nation” and the commitment to it body and soul. He brings these issues vividly through a contrast he draws with Algiers and the so-called “pirate race” as well as the European nations which tended to be tributary to Algiers and the assaults effected against the new nation.