Shedding a light on the shadows Maaza Mengiste’s “The Shadow King” rediscovering Italian colonialism through literature

Abstract

This thesis examines Maaza Mengiste’s novel “The Shadow King” in relation to Italian colonialism, exploring how historical reality is incorporated into literature and how photography can function as both an artistic and historical tool. Mengiste's photographic collection aims to re-appropriate Ethiopian colonial history. Through an analysis of character development, plot and setting, this study argues that Mengiste’s novel not only offers a compelling narrative about the Ethiopian resistance to colonial rule, but also underscores the complexities of power dynamics between colonizers and the colonized. Further, it illustrates how photographic representation offers an alternative perspective on history, providing new insights into the experiences of those affected by colonialism. Overall, this thesis highlights Mengiste's ability to weave a rich, historically-grounded narrative that engages with the past and speaks to the present.