Ambiguous Adventure

In discussion with Samba’s father, Paul Lacroix reflects on the twilight sky, which reminds him of the end of the world. The two men discuss the end of the world, as well as science and religion; Paul notes that science has revealed truth, which has ultimately “liberated” humanity from its “absurd fears” (69). Samba’s father counters this, noting that true absurdity is believing the material world encompasses everything and abandoning hope for transcendent truth. Paul reflects on the Diallobé’s opinion of progress and science, noting that “they turn their backs to the light, but they look at the shadow fixedly. Is it that this man is not conscious of his poverty?” (71).

At the end of their discussion, Samba’s father informs Paul that he has sent Samba to the foreign school in order to “[t]each him to check the external” (71), which was destroying the Diallobé way of life. Samba’s father expresses his belief that the “world is being fused” and that all of humanity will share the same future (72). This would be the end of the world as most people know it. He predicts that “a son” will bring about a new world order, opening a “citadel” of knowledge that the “under-developed” will help shine on the “abyss”—i.