The Last White Man

Introduction

In “The Last White Man,” Robert E. Howard portrays a grim and dramatic narrative of racial conflict, set in a speculative future where a once-dominant race faces its downfall due to decadence and external conquests. The story follows the last survivor of this race as he confronts the inevitability of his end amidst the ruins of his civilization.

The narrative ends with a poignant reflection on the cyclical nature of empires and the eventual decline of even the mightiest among them, driven by internal decadence and external conquests. The last white man’s death symbolizes the end of an era and the complete rise of a new world order.

From the letters

In a letter to his friend Tevis Clyde Smith from August 4, 1923, Howard discusses races, wars, and superiority. He was only 17 years old. He did write a story called “The Last Man”. “The Last Man” and “The Last White Man” share striking similarities, reflecting common themes and narrative structures that are characteristic of Howard’s speculative fiction. 

I shall write a story entitled “The Last Man” as a warning to the white races. If the West falls before the East, it won’t be because I haven’t warned the white races. Well, maybe if I progress, which I doubt much, in a few years I’ll become such a nuisance that the Dalai Lama will take notice of me and my career will end suddenly.

According to another letter to Tevis Clyde Smith (#101) from circa February 1929 Howard had submitted a very short story with this title to Weird Tales in 1925 but it was rejected. The complete story is lost. There is a 6400-word unfinished manuscript in existence.

Summary

The story unfolds with the last white man, a physically imposing figure, hiding behind a boulder on a mountain slope, as he scouts the camps of his enemies below. Reflecting on the history of his race, he laments their fall from greatness to decadence, and ultimately, to near extinction.

His race, once rulers of the world, excelled in every endeavor from exploration and warfare to sports. However, over time, they succumbed to luxury and excess, weakening them until they were overtaken by a new, vigorous race—people who were once enslaved and marginalized. This new race, primarily of African descent, unified under a charismatic and ruthless mixed-breed Arab leader, used the weapons and tactics taught by the whites against them.

As the last survivor of his race, the protagonist contemplates the brutal wars that ensued, where his people, despite a valiant resistance, were outnumbered and overwhelmed by the combined forces of their former slaves and allies. Asia, too, crumbled under internal strife and the onslaught of the African armies, leading to a worldwide collapse of the old order.

In his final moments, the last white man prepares for his last stand as dawn breaks. He successfully repels initial attacks with his rifle, conserving his ammunition and managing to keep the attackers at bay. Eventually, his ammunition exhausted, he resorts to a large scimitar, fighting ferociously and killing many, but the sheer numbers against him are overwhelming.

In a heroic but futile display, he faces his end with defiance, standing tall amid the corpses of his foes, saluting the spirits of his ancestors with his blade raised before being overwhelmed by a barrage of spears from his enemies.

Characters

  • The Last White Man: The protagonist of the story, he represents the final remnant of a once-dominant race that ruled the world. He is depicted as a giant with immense physical strength and a deep sense of his people’s history. He faces his end with a mix of rage, pride, and defiance.
  • African Tribes: The primary antagonists, they are described as physically imposing and militarily skilled, having learned much from the whites before surpassing them. They unify under a powerful leader to overthrow their former rulers.
  • Arab Leader: Although not described in person, he is a crucial figure who symbolizes the strategic and charismatic leadership that catalyzes the African tribes’ rise and conquest. His leadership marks the shift in global power dynamics.

Comparing The Last Man and The Last White Man

Here are some of the key parallels between the two stories:

  • Post-Apocalyptic Settings: Both stories are set in dystopian futures where the world has undergone drastic changes due to wars and the rise and fall of civilizations. These settings are marked by a decline from a previous state of global dominance to near extinction of the ruling races.
  • Racial Conflict and Warfare: A central theme in both stories is the conflict between races, which plays a critical role in the narrative. In “The Last Man,” the conflict involves a newly unified black empire rising against the white and other races, eventually dominating the world. Similarly, in “The Last White Man,” there’s a global shift in power dynamics where the African races, united under a powerful leader, overthrow the white-dominated world order.
  • Decline of a Dominant Race: Both narratives explore the theme of a dominant race (white in both stories) that has become decadent and weak due to luxury and internal corruption, leading to their downfall. This decline is contrasted with the rise of a previously subjugated or marginalized race.
  • Last Survivor Theme: Both stories focus on the motif of the “last” survivor of the white race, who reflects on the past glories and the current demise of his people. These characters are portrayed as physically robust and mentally resilient, embodying the final remnants of their cultures.
  • Tragic Heroism: The protagonists in both stories display heroic traits, facing their inevitable doom with defiance and courage. Their final stands serve as a dramatic climax to the narrative, showcasing their individual might against overwhelming odds.
  • Cyclical Nature of Empires: Howard underscores the cyclical rise and fall of civilizations in both stories, suggesting that no empire is permanent. Each dominant race eventually faces decline, often due to internal decadence and the external pressures of more vigorous, rising powers.
  • Speculative Exploration of Future Warfare: The stories speculate on the future of warfare, including the use of modern weapons and tactics. These elements serve as a backdrop to the dramatic, often brutal, clashes that define the plots.

These similarities underscore Howard’s fascination with themes of decline, racial conflict, and the heroic, albeit often futile, resistance against inevitable historical shifts. The stories offer a bleak, deterministic view of history where the past might of civilizations serves only as a poignant reminder of their transient nature. Howard’s use of these motifs provides a canvas to explore broader philosophical questions about fate, power, and survival.

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