Cumner's Son and Other South Sea Folk — Volume 04

"Cumner's Son and Other South Sea Folk — Volume 04" by Gilbert Parker is a compilation of thought-provoking stories from the late 1800s that examines the impact of colonialism on the lives of people in the South Seas. The narratives follow British officers, native people, and American travelers as they grapple with moral questions and complex relationships under colonial rule. The collection begins with a group discussing colonial government and the challenge of turning indigenous people into "British citizens," featuring characters like the observant Blithelygo and the doubtful Major Warham. This conversation is disrupted by a violent event: a Somauli officer protecting a Jewish man from a mob, illustrating the complicated issues of power and identity in a colonial world; these stories beckon the readers to reflect on the ethics of empire and immerse themselves in the vibrant stories of the South Seas.