Frère d'Âme (At Night All Blood Is Black): exploring identity and colonialism in David Diop's WWI Narrative
By David Diop
David Diop's novel "Frère d'âme" is a powerful and poignant reminder of the forgotten role that black soldiers played in World War I and their mistreatment by the European powers, particularly France, which has been largely overlooked by history.
The novel explores Alfa Diaye's descent into madness and loss of his moral bearings during the war, as he begins to commit brutal and violent acts in response to the death of his friend Mademba.
Diop's writing highlights Alfa's inner struggle to regain his humanity and morality in a context where violence and death are omnipresent.
As the novel progresses, Alfa recalls the treatment of African soldiers by the French army during the First World War, often treated as akin to a slave, considered second-class soldiers, and treated differently from white soldiers.
This use of violence and brutality also had an impact on the African soldiers themselves.
How David Diop Reimagines War and Memory
Alfa realizes that the French army needs him to act like a savage when they need him, but does not treat him as a full human being outside of that.
David Diop shows how colonialism and racism played a role in the use of African soldiers during the war and how they were perceived and treated by the French army.
The novel sheds light on the reality of the experiences of African soldiers and their contribution.
It also highlights how war can lead to absurd and cruel situations, where soldiers are forced to kill their comrades or sacrifice them to save the lives of other soldiers or to achieve a military objective.
Throughout the novel, Alfa realizes that he has been conditioned by the army to no longer be human, and to no longer listen to his conscience and moral values.
The novel illustrates the horrors of war and the psychological and emotional impact it can have on individuals, turning them into dehumanized versions of themselves.
And shows the devastating impact that war can have on individuals and their humanity, turning them into war machines instead of full human beings.
"Frère d'âme" is an excellent example of how literature can shed light on overlooked historical events and also raise awareness of the impact that war can have on soldiers, particularly those who are marginalized and discriminated against.