POSTCOLONIALISM By: Liza F. Badillo Cruz March 2, ENGG 630 Contemporary Literary Theory Professor: Dr. Evelyn Lugo Mondays 6:00-9:00pm

Objectives:  Definitions or concepts of what is Postcolonialsm?  Major Figures  KeyTerms  Examples  

Postcolonialism: Postcolonialism (post-colonial theory or post- oriental) is an intellectual discourse that holds together a set of theories or philosophies, films, political science and literature. From the XVI-XIX and XX centuries. These theories are reactions to the cultural legacy of colonialism.

As a literary theory (or critical approach), it deals with literature produced in countries that once were colonies of theories found among the texts and sub-texts of other countries, especially of the European colonial powers Britain, France, and Spain; in some contexts, it includes countries still in colonial arrangements.

It also deals with literature written in colonial countries and by their citizens that has colonized people as its subject matter. Postcolonial theory was part of the 1970,with the “orientalism” of Edward Said. Describes the discourse about the East constructed by the West.

Colonized people, especially of the British Empire, attended British universities; their access to education, still unavailable in the colonies, created a new criticism - mostly literary, and especially in novels. Following the breakup of the Soviet Union during the late 20th century, its former republics became the subject of this study as well.

Temporal Aception- postcolonialsm appears in 1947 with the independence of India, at the end of the Second World War. It appears in Asia and Africa in all Europe from XVI century. (P. Williams, L. Chrismas) (F. Jameson).

Discursive Aception- literature made in the colonial period (B. Ashcroft), and practice that braked down the arguments use from Europe to dominate. (E. Shoat, M.L.Pratt)

Epistemic Aception- postcolonial theories, 1980 England and U.S.A by the Palestine Edward Said. In his book “Orientalism”(1978). The “other” human science and imperialism.

Major Figures: Edward Said Wole Soyinka Homi Bhabha Salman Rushdie Frantz Fanon Jamaica Kincaid Gayatri Spivak Buchi Emecheta Chinua Achebe

Key Terms Alterity-lack of identification with some part of one’s community, differentness, otherness. Diaspora-refer to any people or ethnic population forced or induce to leave their homelands, being dispersed throughout other parts of the world.

Imperialsm-extending the control or authorithy over foreing entities as a means of acquisition and maintenance of empires, either through direct territorial control.

Eurocentrism-the practice, conscious or otherwise, of placing emphasis on European concerns, culture and values at the expense of those of other cultures. Hybridity-referring to the integration of cultural signs and practices from the colonizing and colonized cultures.

Examples: Books: Achebe, Things Fall Apart Soyinka, The Lion and the Jewel

Films: Mississipi Masala(Mira Nair,1992) Sugar Cane Alley,(1984) Xala, (1974) Whale Rider, (2004)

References: Siegel, Kristi Dr. Introduction to Modern Literary Theory. Recuperado el 1 de Febrero de Kristisiegel.com/theory.htm Postcolonialism-Wikipedia, la Enciclopedia Libre. Recuperado el 17 de Febrero de Yifen, Beus Dr. Postcolonial Literature and Film. Recuperado el 17 de Febrero de