The Venus Hottentot

Alexander uses body parts to stand in for the whole person (See: Literary Devices). In Baartman’s life, the mistreatment of her body reflects the racism she experienced. She was objectified and starved. Her early death reflects the theft of her freedom and mistreatment of her body because of its Blackness. In death, her body parts are displayed with a complete disregard for her humanity. Cuvier’s “rotting teeth” (Line 113) reflect the destruction caused by his vile words when he is arguing for scientific racism. Alexander underscores how this display of body parts is dehumanizing when Baartman wishes that Cuvier’s heart would be displayed to show his corruption. This body part will reveal how he is “deformed, unnatural” (Line 122). His heart, usually symbolic of intentions and feelings, reveals his ill-intent and cruelty.

When she reclaims her body, however, the body parts she names are her “mouth, larynx, [and] brain” (Line 103), all associated with speaking and intelligence. She mentions her “flexible tongue” (Line 11) and “healthy mouth” (Line 112) in contrast with Cuvier’s “rotting teeth” (Line 113), emphasizing her identity as a polyglot and a truth speaker. And her beauty, as expressed in her own words, centers on her lanolin-conditioned hair, which is adorned with “gold leaf” (Line 107) and “diamonds” (Line 108).