Colonialism and Post-Colonial Literary Criticism

Summary

The lecture by Professor Arthur Hawkins covers the distinctions between colonialism and imperialism, highlighting their differences in origin and application. Colonialism involves settlers transferring to new territories, while imperialism refers to commanding control over another nation. The lecture also delves into post-colonial theory, influenced by Edward Said's 'Orientalism,' which critiques how Western perspectives shaped knowledge about non-European peoples. Post-colonial critics explore the lingering effects of colonialism, examining identity, resistance, and the interplay of power in literature. The lecture concludes with questions encouraging further exploration of post-colonial themes in literature and culture.

Takeaways

• 📜 Colonialism is defined as a practice of domination involving the subjugation of one group by another, often through settlement.
• 🌍 The difference between colonialism and imperialism lies in their etymology and methods; colonialism typically involves settlement, while imperialism involves exerting power over another region without settlement.
• 🏛️ In the 19th century, there was a tension between liberalism and colonialism, where some philosophers defended colonialism under the guise of a 'civilizing mission.'
• 📚 Edward Said's work, particularly his book 'Orientalism,' played a significant role in post-colonial studies, analyzing how the West created distorted knowledge about the East.
• 💡 Orientalism refers to a set of concepts, assumptions, and practices used to interpret and evaluate non-European cultures, which reinforced imperialism.
• 📖 Post-colonial critics deconstruct texts to understand how they reflect and reinforce colonial and imperial projects.
• 🔍 Post-colonial criticism interrogates universal categories like capitalism and democracy, questioning their roles in perpetuating colonial oppression.
• 🌱 Post-colonial critics explore how colonization impacted both colonized peoples and colonizers, including issues of identity, education, and resistance.
• 🧠 Post-colonial criticism also investigates how cultural differences, such as race, religion, and gender, shape perceptions of identity and societal structures.
• 📝 Contemporary post-colonial critics apply their analysis to various literary works, such as 'Dracula,' examining how they support or challenge imperialist narratives.

Q & A

What is colonialism, according to the professor's definition?

Colonialism is defined as a practice of domination that involves the subjugation of one people by another. It typically involves the transfer of a population to a new territory where they live as permanent settlers while maintaining political allegiance to their country of origin.

How does colonialism differ from imperialism?

While both colonialism and imperialism involve political and economic control over dependent territories, colonialism specifically involves the settlement of people in the new territory, whereas imperialism refers to a broader exercise of power over another country, which may not involve settlement.

What is the etymological difference between the terms 'colonialism' and 'imperialism'?

The term 'colonialism' comes from the Latin word 'colonia,' meaning farmer, emphasizing settlement, while 'imperialism' comes from the Latin term 'imperium,' meaning to command, indicating broader forms of control or dominance.

What argument did 19th-century Western philosophers use to justify colonialism?

They used the 'civilizing mission' argument, which suggested that colonial rule was necessary to help 'uncivilized' societies develop and reach a point where they could sustain liberal institutions and self-government.

Who is Edward Said, and what was his contribution to post-colonial theory?

Edward Said was a leading figure in post-colonial studies. His book 'Orientalism' applied Michel Foucault's discourse analysis to the production of knowledge about the Middle East. Said's work examined how Western knowledge and representations of the 'Orient' reinforced imperialist power structures.

What is 'Orientalism,' according to Edward Said?

Orientalism refers to a structured set of concepts, assumptions, and practices used to produce and interpret knowledge about non-European peoples. It also describes how the West defines itself by creating a stable depiction of its 'other,' the East, often through binary oppositions like rational vs. irrational or order vs. chaos.

What is the role of a post-colonial critic?

A post-colonial critic examines literary and historical texts to uncover how they reproduce logics of subordination and reflect imperialist ideologies. They also question universal categories like capitalism, democracy, and liberalism, especially in the context of colonized societies.

What are some key questions post-colonial critics ask when analyzing literary texts?

Post-colonial critics ask questions like: How does the text represent colonial oppression? What does it reveal about post-colonial identity, including issues like double consciousness and hybridity? How are the 'other' or 'stranger' described and treated in the text?

How does post-colonial criticism engage with concepts of race, gender, and class?

Post-colonial critics examine how race, gender, class, and other cultural differences shape individual identity and perceptions. They analyze how these factors operate within colonial and post-colonial contexts to either perpetuate or challenge systems of power.

What is the significance of post-colonial identity after decolonization?

Post-colonial identity refers to the lasting impact of colonialism on a society's culture, education, and self-perception, even after formal decolonization. Critics examine how colonial legacies continue to influence post-colonial societies and explore the extent to which true decolonization has been possible.