1. Discussion of Critical Literary Theories…
Postcolonial Lens

2. Reading Through Postcolonial Lens

3. What is Postcolonial Lens?
Colonialism is a powerful, usually destructive historical force that shapes politic futures of countries, but also identities of colonized and colonizing people.
Depends on the process of “Othering” the people colonized. Therefore, colonized people appear less than the colonizers.
Literature written in colonizing countries often distorts the “Other” – experiences, and realities. Also empowers the colonizers own identity
What is Postcolonial Lens?

4. Typical Questions… How are the colonized people portrayed?
How is the process of colonization portrayed?
Consider what images of “Others” or processess of “Othering” are present in the text. How are these “Others” portrayed?
Analyze how the text deals with cultural conflicts between colonizing culture and the colonized or traditional culture.
Typical Questions…

5. How to do we apply the lens?
Look at author’s background and era– written before postcolonial era, white male, historical perspectives
Consider who has the power
Characters– colonized or colonizers?
Search for references to colonization or currently/ formerly colonized people
How to do we apply the lens?

6. For Today … “One Way to Keep Track of Who is Talking” by Annharte
Questions
“Indian Woman” by Jeannette Armstrong (group activity)
“Casualties” by George Elliott Clarke
“I Lost my Talk” by Rita Joe
For Today …

7. For Tomorrow… Preread “History Lesson” by Jeannette Armstrong
Finish up any questions leftover from today’s class
“I Lost my Talk” by Rita Joe
“Casualties” by George Elliott Clarke
For Tomorrow…