Reflecting on the Nuances of Privilege: A Deep Dive in Babel by RF Kuang
*warning: this article contains major spoilers for Babel*
Overall Babel by RF Kuang was an incredibly compelling and thought-provoking read which prompted me to write down my thoughts on some of the most compelling themes from the story and my general thoughts after finishing the novel. While a long time reader of dark academia, this novel will definitely be one that sticks with me for how well and realistically it deals with themes of colonization, racism, sexism, and class inequality. One of the main themes of Babel, and especially the ending, is how difficult it is to balance and accept your own personal privilege no matter who you are and your role in the atrocities happening throughout the world. To begin, we’re going to start at the end of the story. Robin grapples with this theme throughout the entire story but both him and his fellow classmate Victoire have different reactions. Though absolutely heartbreaking, they both agree that though they had noble intentions with occupying Babel they knew that they probably would not succeed in stopping the war on China; no matter how unethical it was or who it impacted in Britain. I think this idea also really hit home for them when Letty, their once friend and cohort member, comes one last time to try to convince them to at least save themselves because the expansion of the empire is inevitable. Robin can’t come to terms with the injustice that he was raised in and the overall tragedy of being exploited. This tragically consumes him and, as the audience, I hope he found peace in his decision to go down with the tower and his cause. Destroying the tower wouldn’t stop the war or horrible exploitation that was happening throughout the world but at least it would slow down the industrial/silverworking revolution and make a point that this innovation only benefited the rich and white.
Victoire has the opposite reaction that because of all of the terrible things she’s experienced going through life as an immigrant black woman in the 1830s she has to survive. One, she doesn’t want the whole value of her life to be that she was a martyr, and two, surviving and living at any cost is a giant slap in the face for those who have wished to exploit her. In modern terms, thriving is the best revenge. I think this is an idea that has been held by many women, and especially women of color. It may be hard to come to terms with all of the forces wishing to bring you down, both being denied access and basic respect just going through life, but there is some satisfaction in continuing to live and find joy in life despite everything. In my mind, Victoire does go on to lead a happy life as a revolutionary helping people. Of course, her life will be difficult but she can still thrive. Though it presented a very depressing outlook, there was some hope for me in the end as many different people came together to strike as Babel scholars in protest of the coming war on China over the forced import of opioids.This scrounged together group included Professor Craft, the only woman professor, the young undergrads and the poor factory workers, who would be similarly impacted by the industrial silverworking expansion. The fact remains that the world won’t change if only the people who are directly impacted care. I realize that this should be quite obvious, but it was impactful seeing who remained when Robin and Victoire first occupy the tower. I also was touched by even the small gesture of Abel, the silver work striker, who brought them all blankets and pillows so they would be more comfortable striking. Kuang is clearly an incredible writer as even that image of comfort contrasts with the fact that they are still privileged as they are scholars whose strike takes place in a fancy library on a premiere university campus. While, *spoiler*, they do make the ultimate sacrifice of their lives for their moral standing, they still probably have not suffered as horrifically as some of those impacted by the expansion of silverwork, like child laborers and families who have lost everything through the forced opium trade in their community. It was also heartening to know that people who could have chosen the easier path chose instead to give everything, like Professor Craft. On the opposite side of that coin, it was heartbreaking that Letty could not overcome her own prejudices and blind ignorance to not only do what was right, but then choosing to actively betray her friends. It was also heartbreaking because I know that there are still many, many Americans who still do not see what the problem with imperialism is and even if they do see it, fake ignorance because the system benefits them at the end of the day.
On a slightly more (fun?) note, I want to point out how reading this perfectly coincided for me with the release of The Tortured Poets Department, Taylor Swift’s latest album. So Long, London in the context of Robin and his relationship to London and at times his brother Griffin and Professor Lovell is incredibly heartbreaking. Specifically, the bridge of “So how much sad did you think I had/Did you think I had in me?/How much tragedy?/Just how low did you think I'd go?/Before I'd self-implode/Before I'd have to go be free.” perfectly encapsulates the tragedy of Robin. How did Professor Lovell think there would be no consequences of so thoroughly exploiting someone? Did he really think that Robin would be able to bear that weight psychologically? No wonder he *spoilers again* finally snapped and killed him. In the end, he did self implode from the weight of it all. The song is overall so tragically Robin, because he did love Babel and his friends despite everything but couldn’t handle the atrocities that he would be complicit in while staying on the path that Lovell intended for him.
Importantly, reading Babel also made me confront my own privilege compared to everything awful happening both throughout the country and across the world in my lifetime. Like what am I doing to stop exploitation? How am I currently benefiting from these power structures and even contributing to them? And how can I live to improve the state of the world? It all seems pretty hopeless sometimes and I start to think like Robin that everything should just be burnt down and maybe society would get things right a second time, but for now I have to settle with change I can personally make throughout my daily life. Though an absolutely devastating read, this was an incredibly insightful and emotionally impactful story. Our modern world needs more stories like this to shine a light on how structurally unfair the world is and motivate us to do something about it. RF Kuang, you are a genius and I look forward to crying over everything else you’ve written and will write in the future.
Lauren is a voracious reader and opinionated twenty-something living in Chicago. She's always loved reading and writing but has recently been inspired to start putting those thoughts down on paper, metaphorically speaking. Lauren writes about the intersection of literature, pop culture and being a woman in our society today.