Postcolonial CriticismPostcolonial Criticism

From Beginning TheoryFrom Beginning Theory

PostcolonialismPostcolonialism

► Emerged in the 1990’sEmerged in the 1990’s► Undermines universalist claims Undermines universalist claims ► Universal claims disregard differenceUniversal claims disregard difference

RegionalRegionalNationalNationalCulturalCulturalSocialSocial

►White Eurocentric norms should not be White Eurocentric norms should not be privileged privileged

To Achieve Postcolonial To Achieve Postcolonial PerspectivePerspective

►First step for the “colonized” is to First step for the “colonized” is to reclaim their own pastreclaim their own past

► i.e.. History did not begin with the i.e.. History did not begin with the EuropeansEuropeans

►Second step is to erode colonialist Second step is to erode colonialist ideology that devalued their pastideology that devalued their past

Orientalism (continued)Orientalism (continued)

►Filled with anonymous masses of Filled with anonymous masses of people (not individuals)people (not individuals)

►Actions determined by instinct (lust, Actions determined by instinct (lust, terror, fury, etc.) vs. logicterror, fury, etc.) vs. logic

►Their reactions are determined by Their reactions are determined by racial considerations rather than racial considerations rather than individual circumstanceindividual circumstance

Ground Breaking WorkGround Breaking Work

►Edward Said’s Edward Said’s OrientalismOrientalism►East is seen as “other”; inferior to the East is seen as “other”; inferior to the

WestWest►East is portrayed as projection of East is portrayed as projection of

negative aspectsnegative aspects

cruelty, sensuality, decadence, cruelty, sensuality, decadence, laziness, etc.laziness, etc.

►Yet East is also portrayed as exotic, Yet East is also portrayed as exotic, mystical, seductivemystical, seductive

Characteristics of Characteristics of Postcolonial CriticismPostcolonial Criticism

1. An awareness of representation of 1. An awareness of representation of non-Europeans as exotic or ‘Other’non-Europeans as exotic or ‘Other’

2. Concern with language2. Concern with language

Some conclude the colonizer's Some conclude the colonizer's language is permanently tainted, to language is permanently tainted, to write in it involves acquiescence in write in it involves acquiescence in colonial structurescolonial structures

Characteristics of Characteristics of Postcolonial CriticismPostcolonial Criticism

(cont.)(cont.)

3. Emphasis on identity as doubled or 3. Emphasis on identity as doubled or unstable (identify with colonizer and unstable (identify with colonizer and colonized)colonized)

4. Stress on cross cultural interactions4. Stress on cross cultural interactions

Stages of Postcolonial Stages of Postcolonial CriticismCriticism

►Phase 1: Analyze white representation Phase 1: Analyze white representation of colonial countries…uncover biasof colonial countries…uncover bias

►Phase 2: Postcolonial writers explore Phase 2: Postcolonial writers explore selves and society selves and society

(The empire writes back) (The empire writes back)

What Postcolonial Critics DoWhat Postcolonial Critics Do

► Reject claims of universalismReject claims of universalism► Examine representation of other culturesExamine representation of other cultures► Show how literature is silent on matters of Show how literature is silent on matters of

imperialism and colonialismimperialism and colonialism► Foreground questions of diversity and cultural Foreground questions of diversity and cultural

differencedifference► Celebrate ‘cultural polyvancy’ (belonging to Celebrate ‘cultural polyvancy’ (belonging to

more than one culture)more than one culture)► Assert that marginality, plurality and Assert that marginality, plurality and

‘Otherness’ are sources of energy and ‘Otherness’ are sources of energy and potential change potential change

The Berlin Conference 1884-The Berlin Conference 1884-18851885