A Royal Contradiction

-Jessica St.Martin

I was very taken aback when presented with Queen Liliuokalani's "British Victorian Era" style of writing, because I had never before thought of her as an educated and bilingual woman. Consequently, I found that to be a very obvious "western assumption" of mine. Because of this, I also encountered very few Hawaiian words included in her text, and whenever the Queen did speak of chants committed to memory or a true Hawaiians connection to flowers, it was soon followed by an "I have my own chant" and "my garden, in which I have never ceased to take a keen interest." It seems as if she is throwing in claims to solidify her own bond with Hawaii, yet spends and awful lot of time referring to foreign countries and their customs or sights. I guess I expected "Hawaii's Story" to be more about Hawaii.

Another thought that constantly kept itself in the back of my mind was that, if stripped of any titles, references to author's name, or essential information identifying Liliuokalani as the source, I would have instantly placed her book as written by a Caucasian, British woman. Perhaps this is something to further discuss, as to why she portrayed herself in this manner, or what aspects of her life shaped her in this way. Also, I couldn't help but notice her incessant need to refer to all things impressive, charming, or pleasant that was constantly provided for her entertainment. On the other hand, any illness or disappointment was followed by a sharp and dramatic reaction. After the incident on page 87, where the Queen was thrown from her carriage, she states that "certainly no one could have been nearer to instant death." Yet two pages later it is revealed that the injuries were "no more serious than a very severe wrench or sprain."

She also presents another contradiction referring to her views and interactions with death. On page 108, Queen Liliuokalani quickly touches upon Mrs. Bishop's disease of cancer and her death. She then briefly notes Queen Emma's death with, "in the month of April 1885, she died." Soon after, on page 110, the Queen transitions to a list of valuable jewelry and land given to her upon the death of Mrs. Bishop. She then selfishly pouts while noting the preferred estate not acquired, claiming that "this wish of my heart was not granted." The Queen goes on to add impersonal and brief accounts of when "Princess Likelike and the other two princesses dies," and the effects her sister's death had upon the "efficiency of society" and her branch of the "Liliuokalani Educational Society." Then again on page 116, she selfishly states that "her death had an unfavorable effect upon my health."

Once past her self-centered account of the unfortunate deaths of multiple important women, the Queen's contradiction then appears. Upon the sight of a mummy exhibit, she had "turned away from the sight, because it spoke too plainly of death and burial," even though the Queen had hypocritically spoken of various death's with a light and unimportant air, and lapsed over mention of the women's  burials. I also tried to pull the most descriptive and detailed quotes on these deaths in order to show examples of how they compare up against the multiple chapters depicting the Queen's pleasure filled journeys.

These instances left me with many questions of her core personality and the effect a royal life had upon her values. So far, I have been disappointed to find a lack of "mana" in the last Queen of Hawaii.