Shakespeares Othello, Antony and Cleopatra and The Tempest have been taken as key texts for the application of postcolonial modes of analysis. Postcolonial theory is a critical analysis of the history and impact of colonialism used to evaluate fictional works. WebStudy with Quizlet and memorize flashcards terms like postcolonial literature, concerns, characteristics and more. WebWhat are the characteristics of postcolonial literature? As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 84,000 Postcolonialism should not be confused with the claim that the world we live in now is actually devoid of colonialism. This realistic portrayal opposed the way in which European literature 'othered' the cultures of colonised nations. One of the most prominent has been the relation between imperialism and identity. Now that we understand the meaning of and approaches to postcolonial literary theory let's take a look at its characteristics and themes. WebPost-colonialism, as both a body of theory and a study of political and cultural change, has gone and continues to go through three broad stages: an initial awareness of the social, psychological, and cultural inferiority enforced by being in a colonized state the struggle for ethnic, cultural, and political autonomy Traditionally, natives were framed as the enemies of the coloniser for defending their homes and fighting back against colonisation. Things Fall Apart(1958) by Chinua Achebe, White Teeth(2000) by Zadie Smith, Exit West(2017) by Mohsin Hamid. WebPost-Colonial Literatures and the British Literary Canon: The Role of Intertextuality and Hybridisation. Ato Quayson is Professor of English at Stanford University. WebWho started postcolonial theory? Cultural imperialism includes formal actions to oppress different cultural activities and social discourses which look down on different cultures and classify them as 'uncivilised'. What was the first ancient Indian literature comprised of? Free and expert-verified textbook solutions. Postcolonial writers have this thing they like to do. In other words, cultures are more than 'us' and 'other'; they are the sum of their histories. Such simple generalizations lead to misconceptions and miscommunications, which are often the basis of post-colonial analysis. Writers of postcolonial backgrounds broke away from their regional and indigenous modes of storytelling by adopting the language and narrative models of the West. What happened in the Scramble for Africa?. Hear about the work and events of these institutes. WebPostcolonialism is a term used to describe studies of cultures influenced by Britain or America after they gained their independence from the European colonial power. Postcolonialism signals a possible future of overcoming colonialism, yet new forms of domination or subordination can come in the wake of such changes, including new forms of global empire. Which of these is not a work by Edward Said? Still, one of the central themes of postcolonial scholarship is the persistence of empireand resistance to itin human history. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Edward Saids Orientalism (1978) is considered as pivotal in the shaping of postcolonial studies. ostcolonial literary theory can be characterised as a. Revisionist theories or schools of thought typically challenge established or traditional views held by academics. 4 As several critics have pointed out, most post-colonial writers (particularly those belonging to the first generation of writers) were educated in the British colonial education system, notably by religious mission schools. is concerned with colonial history only to the extent that that history has determined the configurations and power structures of the present. StudySmarter is commited to creating, free, high quality explainations, opening education to all. Among those consequences and their effects, as identified and investigated by Fanon and other theorists, are: both the colonized and the colonizer are implicated in the horrors of imperialism, and both will have to be decolonized; the colonized have to find a way of overcoming the imposition of alien rule not only over their territory but also over their minds and bodies; seeking recognition from an oppressor in terms that the oppressor has set hardly provides a genuine liberation from the grip of colonialism (an effect that anticipates an important debate in contemporary political theory over the politics of recognition); the colonizers have to make sense of how the brutality of colonialism relates to their own apparent humanism. Although both are systems based on power and control, imperialism differs from colonialism in that it can be achieved through means other than direct rule or force. True! How is this discrepancy reflected in Rhys' novel? Stop procrastinating with our study reminders. The purpose of postcolonial literary theory is to address and critically examine literature produced in countries which were previously colonised. Raising awareness about Black consciousness and protesting against French rule. People who are in the lowest castes of the Indian caste system. The most widely read post-colonial author is Chinua Achebe, who wrote Things Fall Apart. False. Which U.S. invasion did Said heavily critique? Moreover, the history of imperialism is complex. Globalisation and the free flow of commodities across nations gave an incentive for postcolonial writers to seek global fame for their creative efforts in English. Other aspects of culture, such as language, are always susceptible to influences. Conrad's 'image of Africa' in Heart of Darkness may be steeped in racist and xenophobic biases and stereotypes. London WebPostcolonial theory A theoretical approach to analyzing the literature produced in countries that were once colonies, especially of European powers such as Britain, France, and Spain. Colonialism is criticised today for its exploitative nature and for weakening and disrupting the indigenous economic and especially cultural traditions in the colony. lessons in math, English, science, history, and more. Though postcolonial literature is not exclusively written in English, postcolonial literature in English enjoys more fame and attention, partially because of the dominance of English on the global stage. . in the words of Salman Rushdie, ". 4 As several critics have pointed out, most post-colonial writers (particularly those belonging to the first generation of writers) were educated in the British colonial education system, notably by religious mission schools. What are some of the key components of Oral African literature? J Daniel Elam, 'Postcolonial Theory', in Oxford Bibliographies, 2019. The ruling academic paradigm in academic area studies (especially Middle Eastern studies) is called post-colonial theory. Post-colonial theory was founded by Columbia University professor of comparative literature, Edward Said. New Criticism Theory & Examples | What is New Criticism? Postcolonial literature functions as a vehicle to display talent from erstwhile colonies and to present postcolonial cultures to counter stereotypical narratives around them. Read The Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, an author who is part Dominican in heritage. Other award-winning postcolonial writers include Kiran Desai, Amitav Ghosh, Ngg wa Thiong'o, Arundhati Roy, and Ben Okri. WebWorld Literature and the Postcolonial Narratives of (Neo) Colonialization in a Globalized World. Edward Said was a literary critic and professor who lived from 1935 to 2003. Create flashcards in notes completely automatically. Lerne mit deinen Freunden und bleibe auf dem richtigen Kurs mit deinen persnlichen Lernstatistiken. ', What term does this definition refer to:, 'The practice of economically exploiting and obtaining and maintaining political control over a nation and its people. True. 2 Christoph Kockelmann, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons. Some historians divide history into eras based on the most defining feature or sentiment of the time. Please use the current SAT course here: Most societal systems are affected following a period of colonialism, including its literature, the subjects of which are often emotional and politically charged. She has over 30 years of teaching experience. All rights reserved. The term is sometimes written with a hyphen, sometimes left unhyphenated, with the two forms used to designate the same areas of interest by different critics. WebPostcolonial literature attempts to counteract their resulting alienation from their surroundings by restoring a connection between indigenous people and places through description, WebSet in post-colonial Nigeria, the fictional novel discusses the cultural roots of the Igbos and follows the life of the tragic hero, Okonkwo. Postcolonial literary theory can be characterised as a revisionist theory as it challenges established or traditional views held by academics. In Things Fall Apart, he focuses specifically on the struggles that Nigerians faced as the British expanded their control. New Historicism Theory Overview & Examples | What Is New Historicism? Other influential names related to postcolonial theory include Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak and Robert J. C. Young. European imperialism between the 16th and 18th centuries in the Americas, the West Indies, Australasia, and Southeast Asia was substantially different from that of the 19th and 20th centuries. Decolonization Struggles. For example, Fanon combined a material and psychological analysis of the consequences of colonialism, which looked to both the micro- and macroeffects and experience of colonial government. WebFurthermore, literary criticism perceives diversity, cultural differences, and representation of other cultures in literature as not bad things but something which should be recognized. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Stop procrastinating with our smart planner features. The interconnection between social categories such as gender, class and race in a certain group overlapping to produce further discrimination. Like the African American community in the United States, official freedom did not eliminate racial discrimination in Rhodesia after actual freedom was achieved. Colonisation was justified based on this idea, being framed as a 'civilising mission' by European nations. Feminist Literature Books & Traits | What is Feminist Literature? By 1914 84% of the globe was controlled by European nations. Postcolonial literature (or Post-colonial literature, sometimes called New English literature(s)), is a body of literary writings that reacts to the discourse of colonization. 2. Which work did Chinua Achebe critique in his essay 'An Image of Africa' (1975)?, Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness(1899). What are the characteristics of Indian Literature? The unhyphenated version is conventionally used to distinguish it from the earlier iteration that referred only to specific time period and to indicate a tendency toward literary criticism and the analysis of various discourses at the intersection of race, gender and diaspora, among others. So, what exactly is postcolonial literature? Colonial Discourse. The introduction of English education made the native communities proficient in English, enough to be able to read, write, and speak English. The characteristics of Indian literature include themes of religion, obedience and values, good deeds, poetic form, morality and bravery, family theatre and dance. The ruling academic paradigm in academic area studies (especially Middle Eastern studies) is called post-colonial theory.. by WebPostcolonial literature refers to short stories, poems, novels, essays, plays, and more that is created by people who were formally colonized. Said's Los Angeles Times article titled 'Blind Imperial Arrogance'(2003). A good way to start any definition of postcolonial literature is to think about the origins of the term postcolonialism and how it has been used in literary criticism, from roughly the late 1980s to present times. Notable postcolonial literary theorists are. Postcolonial Literature Characteristics. Othering may be based on race, language, religious beliefs, and nationality. This theory addresses the role literature plays in challenging and perpetuating _____. Through critically examining such literature, postcolonialism seeks to deconstruct the Western literary canon, which has traditionally favoured white voices. This element of innocence discourages the reader from placing blame on the narrator for the crimes of colonisation, legitimising the process. The postcolonial condition or the consequences and impact of colonialism are present in postcolonial writing more often than not. It tells the story of a fifteen-year-old Kambili Achike who comes from a wealthy family in Enugu State. And that's because this work is a prime example of the way in which postcolonial authors "write back" to the empire, challenging its racist assumptions, its claims to cultural superiority, and its economic exploitation of the colonized. The Birthday Party by Harold Pinter | Summary, Themes & Analysis, Tonight I Can Write by Pablo Neruda | Summary, Themes & Analysis. Why was Harriet Jacobs Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girlimportant? Why was Kiberd's defining of Ireland as a postcolonial country revolutionary? Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak is an Indian-American literary theorist born in 1942. Fanon remains perhaps best known for his explosive justification of violence in The Wretched of the Earth (highlighted in Jean-Paul Sartres preface to that work), where it is cast as the appropriate response to the violence perpetrated by colonialism and as the mediation through which the colonized can begin to reclaim their self-conscious agency. This is the 'us-other' mentality that many colonizers take with them into a new country. Starting in the 15th century and Postcolonialism is both an academic framework as well as a temporal classification that deals with the period that came after the end of colonialism. Postcolonialism has also been a term used to reinterpret western canonical literature from a variety of fresh and diverse perspectives. This suggests that postcolonial literature is a broad term that encompasses literatures by people from the erstwhile colonial world, as well as from the various minority diasporas that live in the west. Give power to England in reforming the education of native Indians. In her essay 'Can the Subaltern Speak?' 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Taken as key texts for the application of postcolonial scholarship is the persistence of resistance!