Modernism Postcolonialism Character Sketch of Kurtz
Structuralism Deconstruction
Feminism and Feminist Theory
Colonialism in English Literature is not as
widespread as Postcolonialism. But, it is a fact that the latter is rooted in
Colonialism. The above heading means a work written during a period of time
when one country was actively participating colonizing, exploiting and
exhibiting power over people of another geographical area.
The
colonization of a country was followed by the colonization of the subject
population, and this invariably colonises the culture also. The impact of
colonization on culture was thus, institutionalized and was the most visible
aspect of the harmony of British. While the replacements like food habits,
gestures games etc were taking place, the gradual spread of English education
brought forth a group of writers who drank deep at the fountain of European
learning. These writers chose the English language to communicate with the
outside world. They wanted to bring forth the sufferings and the plight of
their countrymen. Also, these writers wanted to uplift the morals and attitude
of the people so that they can compete with the rest of the world. As such,
instead of going politically they chose their pen and paper to reach to masses.
This took place infact in all colonized countries.
Looking into
the history of India, in the 17th century The East India Company
effectively established its connection with India, whose original aim was
primarily commerce and not conquest. However, it soon discovered its manifest
destiny of filling the vacuum created in the 18th century India by
the gradual disintegration of the Mughal Empire. And after the battle of
Plassey in 1757, the company virtually became the master of Bengal and decided
to rule. Consequently, as stated in the above stanza, slowly and gradually there
was rise of Indian English Literature, which came to be divided into three
categories- Anglo-Indian Literature, Indo-English Literature and Indo-Anglian
Literature.
There are
many writers whose work can be described as distinctly colonial exhibiting
social hierarchies of culture and technology, racisim, exploitation, plight of
those colonized etc.
Mulk Raj
Anand vehemently
condemns the insensibility, self-centredness and the lack of sympathy and
understanding in the colonizer and the upper strata of society for the poor and
the exploited. He never hesitated to show a dirty and filthy image of the same.
His all works voice social protest. Untouchable narrates a day in
the life of Bakha, an outcast who suffers a number of humiliations.
The
influence of Indian Nationalist Movement and Gandhiji on Raja Rao, one
of the prolific writers of his time is evident in his works. Kanthapura is
a brilliant attempt to probe the depths to which the nationalist urge
penetrated showing, how even in the remote village the new upsurge fused
completely with traditional religious faith, thus rediscovering the Indian
soul.
A Passage in India
is considered as E.M.Forster’s major work. The novel can be read as a
valuable critique of British rule in India, a profound statement about personal
relationships and a comment upon political, ethical and metaphysical issues.
Joseph Conrad
wrote Heart of Darkness as his own experience of life,
particularly experience gained during his visit to Congo in 1890. It is through
fictitious character Marlow, he speaks to readers. It may therefore be said
that Marlow is another self of Conrad through which he examines the savage
exploitation of Congo natives.
Toni Morrison’s The Bluest Eye constructs
identity and subjectivity of African –American women out of the spectacular
American psychological system into a racial authenticity. The novel makes it obvious that the
cultural standards of beauty and their association with racism affect one’s
perspective of life.
Rudyard Kipling explored the shallow lives of British in India and reflected
them in his works. It was only after leaving India Kipling was able to write Kim
which undoubtedly became his best work of colonial fiction.
Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart creates the Nigerian
literary renaissance specifically addressing the problems and effects of
imperialism of the Igbo tribes.
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