Colonial and Post Colonial Literature Essay

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Post Colonial Literature

Historical literature is filled with examples of pre- and post-colonialist paradigms. Within each of these models, however, there is a certain part of a larger story that can only be told in the larger view of the historical process. One of the grand themes that help us wade through that process is that of the dehumanization of the individual. For whatever psychotically reasons, humans seem to have the need to change others into less than human in order to subjugate them economically, intellectually, or culturally. We might even think of the process of imperialism as practiced by the European powers as dehumanization of culture and society; begun at the micro level and then evolving into the macro. This dehumanization was particularly exemplified by the manner in which indigenous cultures were decimated, how families were torn apart and scattered all over the Empire, and the manner in which the Colonials expected their values to be adopted by anyone and everyone.

Chinua Achene is one author who deals directly with this subject. Not only is the title of Achebe's Things Fall Apart appropriate for a study looking at the juxtaposition of historical trends on culture, it is spot on in terms of the issues that fall into place, reminiscent of the "Domino Effect" so feared during the early Cold War, when European culture meets a traditional African culture.

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In Things Fall Apart, dehumanization occurred as almost a disease -- a virus passed from the White man to the natives. Not only did the English regard the Africans as something other than human (they degrade their culture and religion); after some time, Western ideals changed the way the Africans viewed themselves and their tribal unit. In Things Fall Apart, the central character, Okonkwo, finds that the interference of the missionaries and English "entrepreuers" disrputed the tribes. "The white man is very clever. He came quietly and peaceably with his religion. We were amused at his foolishness and allowed him to stay. Now he has won our brothers, and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart" Achebe., Chapter 20).

In Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, written at the end of the 19th century while Britain was the greatest power in the world,….....

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