King Solomon’s Mines

Thorpe 1

Lisa Thorpe

English 250

Fall 2006

J. Tabor

Paper 1

There is a thrilling undertone of sex and sexuality throughout King Solomon’s Mines . They are both entertaining accounts of three adventurous Englishmen who have not yet become accustom to the individuality of women. The view of women in both of these works is inferior to men. Women are objectified in the works of King Solomon’s Mines.

Allen Quatermain and his group are approaching their destination. A manly destination filled with womanly characteristics. The scenery becomes very feminine. “For the nipple of the mountain did not rise out of its exact center. (Haggard 101).” This location was describe previously on the map. A map that represented the female body if turned upside down. The Sheba’s breasts resemble the breasts of a female, and the location of the diamonds and treasures are strategically placed in the reproductive area of the female. These show women as sexually beings in the eyes of men. Women are dainty and delicate created for the entertainment of men.

When a man meets a women, his ultimate goal is to get, as Haggard implied in the book, the treasures of a women; therefore, one can also relate to the scene where Allen Quatermain and company makes a great effort to reach Sheba’s breasts. The men face many hardships during this point of there trip such as starvation and lack of water. Once they reached Sheba’s breasts, the men conquered the mountain. They found a stream, killed, and feasted. Allen Quatermain spoke of the mountain, “I know not how to describe the glorious panorama which unfolded itself to our enraptured gaze. I have never seen anything like it before, nor shall, I suppose, again. (Haggard 104).” This sentence directly displays the attitude the men have towards objectifying women.

Men’s thoughts that women are merely a body without a mind is signified in many places of H. Rider Haggards’ works. “It was very different business traveling along down hill on that magnificent pathway… Every mile we walked the atmosphere grew softer and balmier, and the country before us shone with a yet more luminous beauty (Haggard 107).” The men are rejoicing at having conquered the area of the women, or mountain. The men believe they have broken barriers. Quatermain and entourage believe this simple step over the bosom of a women will let them into King Solomon’s Mines.

During the later of the story, when the treasure is close to being found, the men almost lose their lives at the hands of a woman. They face Twala’s army and the trap of Gagool; but they eventually get the treasure. The men are able to say they have conquered the woman. Quatermain, Curtis, and Good explored and won