Dehumanization in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Dehumanization

The term “dehumanization” finds its etymological origins in the Latin language, notably rooted in the word “hominis,” which signifies “human.” The prefix “de-“ in Latin conveys a sense of reversal or negation. Hence, “dehumanization” denotes the deliberate process or action of stripping individuals or groups of their inherent human qualities, rights, or dignity.

This term has garnered prominence within the realm of moral and philosophical discourse, particularly in discussions concerning the degrading treatment endured by individuals or populations. It serves as a crucial conceptual framework for addressing matters related to human rights abuses, social injustice, and the ethical treatment of individuals within various sociopolitical contexts.

Meanings of Dehumanization in Literature and Literary Theory

1. Characterization and Narrative Representation:
   • Dehumanization in literature refers to a recurring theme where characters or groups are portrayed as losing their essential human qualities, dignity, or moral worth within a text.
   • It involves depicting characters subjected to inhumane treatment, degradation, or marginalization, often serving as a reflection of real-world social and political issues.
   • Characters may experience physical, psychological, or social dehumanization, shedding light on the moral and ethical consequences of such treatment.
   • Additionally, literature can explore how characters themselves may dehumanize others, offering insights into complex human and societal dynamics.
2. Metaphorical and Symbolic Use:
   • Beyond character treatment, dehumanization can serve as a literary device with metaphorical or symbolic significance within a text.
   • It transcends individual characters and represents broader thematic ideas.
   • Dehumanization can symbolize societal concerns, such as the dehumanizing effects of modernity, technology, or consumerism.
   • It can also critique the erosion of human connection, empathy, or ethical values in contemporary society.
3. Literary Theory and Critical Analysis:
   • In literary theory, dehumanization serves as a recurring motif or theme that prompts critical examination of a text’s socio-political and philosophical dimensions.
   • Scholars analyze how authors employ dehumanization to provoke thought, raise moral questions, or critique societal norms.
   • This analysis encompasses various aspects, including the portrayal of marginalized groups, the role of empathy, the consequences of dehumanization, and potential avenues for resistance and humanization within literary narratives.

Definition of Dehumanization as a Theoretical Term

Dehumanization, as a theoretical term, refers to the process by which individuals or groups are treated or depicted in a manner that strips them of their inherent human qualities, dignity, and moral worth.

It involves the reduction of human beings to a subhuman or objectified status, often facilitating acts of cruelty, discrimination, or violence. This concept is crucial in analyzing various sociopolitical contexts, literature, and human rights discourse, shedding light on the degrading treatment and ethical implications associated with such dehumanizing practices.

Dehumanization: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Prominent Theorists:

1. Frantz Fanon: In his work The Wretched of the Earth, Fanon discusses the dehumanizing effects of colonialism and the psychological impact on colonized individuals. He argues that colonialism’s dehumanizing practices lead to a struggle for liberation and the restoration of humanity.
2. Hannah Arendt: Arendt, in The Origins of Totalitarianism, explores how totalitarian regimes dehumanize both their victims and perpetrators, emphasizing the loss of moral and ethical boundaries in such contexts.

Key Works:

1. The Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon: This seminal work examines the dehumanizing impact of colonialism on the colonized, emphasizing the necessity of revolutionary action for rehumanization.
2. The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt: Arendt’s work delves into the dehumanizing aspects of totalitarianism, emphasizing how it strips individuals of their moral agency and responsibility.

Arguments and Themes:

1. Dehumanization as a Precursor to Liberation: Fanon argues that the dehumanization experienced by colonized individuals serves as a catalyst for resistance and liberation movements, as they seek to regain their lost humanity.
2. Dehumanization and the Erosion of Morality: Arendt highlights how totalitarian regimes erode the moral boundaries of individuals, rendering them capable of extreme cruelty and violence, thus emphasizing the ethical consequences of dehumanization.

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Dehumanization and Literary Theories

Theory	Relevance
Postcolonialism	Dehumanization is a central theme in postcolonial literature and theory. Postcolonial scholars examine how colonial powers often depicted colonized peoples as inferior, exotic, or subhuman, contributing to their dehumanization. Writers from colonized regions often use literature to challenge and critique these dehumanizing narratives and to assert their humanity and cultural identity.
Feminist Theory	Feminist literary theory frequently addresses issues of dehumanization, especially in relation to the objectification and marginalization of women in literature. Feminist critics analyze how women have been reduced to stereotypes, denied agency, or subjected to violence and dehumanizing treatment in literature.
Critical Race Theory	Critical race theory explores the dehumanization of racial and ethnic minority groups in literature. Scholars in this field examine how racial stereotypes, racism, and prejudice have been perpetuated through literature, contributing to the dehumanization of marginalized communities. They also highlight the ways in which literature can be used to challenge these narratives and advocate for social justice.
Marxist Theory	Marxist literary theory can engage with dehumanization in terms of class struggle and economic oppression. It examines how literature portrays the dehumanizing effects of capitalism, exploitation of the working class, and the alienation of individuals from their labor and humanity.
Psychoanalytic Theory	Psychoanalytic theory, particularly the work of Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan, can be applied to the analysis of characters who undergo processes of dehumanization in literature. This perspective may explore the psychological dimensions of dehumanization, such as the suppression of individual desires and the impact on the psyche.
Existentialism	Existentialist literary theory delves into themes of existential angst and the search for meaning in a world that can often dehumanize individuals. Literature in this vein may explore the absurdity of existence and the struggle to assert one’s humanity in the face of societal pressures and dehumanizing forces.
Narrative Theory	Narrative theorists investigate how dehumanization is constructed and conveyed through narrative techniques. They analyze the narrative structures, point of view, and framing devices that contribute to the portrayal of characters as dehumanized or as agents of dehumanization.

Dehumanization in Literary Criticism

African American Novels:

1. The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates:
   • Hiram Walker: The protagonist, Hiram Walker, faces the dehumanization of slavery. He experiences the loss of his family and grapples with the erasure of his personal identity as he confronts the brutal realities of enslaved life.
2. Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid:
   • Emira Tucker: The novel follows Emira Tucker, who experiences modern-day microaggressions that strip her of her dignity and agency. These subtle forms of dehumanization challenge her sense of self in a contemporary social context.

Indian Novels:

3. The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy:
   • Aftab: In this novel, characters like Aftab, a transgender person, grapple with societal dehumanization and marginalization. The story sheds light on their struggles for recognition and dignity amidst political conflicts in India.
4. The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga:
   • Balram Halwai: The protagonist, Balram Halwai, faces economic dehumanization as he is trapped in a life of servitude and poverty. His journey is a quest to break free from the dehumanizing forces of a deeply divided society.

In these novels, characters like Hiram, Emira, Aftab, and Balram confront various forms of dehumanization, whether rooted in historical oppression, modern-day microaggressions, political conflicts, or economic disparities. Literary criticism of these works can offer deeper insights into the characters’ experiences and the ways in which the novels challenge and address the theme of dehumanization.

Suggested Readings

Books:

1. Fanon, Frantz. The Wretched of the Earth. Grove Press, 2004.
2. King, Thomas. The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America. University of Minnesota Press, 2013.
3. Nussbaum, Martha C. Upheavals of Thought: The Intelligence of Emotions. Cambridge University Press, 2001.
4. Said, Edward W. Orientalism. Vintage, 1979.
5. Spivak, Gayatri Chakravorty. A Critique of Postcolonial Reason: Toward a History of the Vanishing Present. Harvard University Press, 1999.
6. Wynter, Sylvia. Black Metamorphosis: New Natives in a New World. CRB, 2020.

Edited Collections:

• Davis, Laura, and Michael Lundblad, editors. Theories of the Flesh: Latinx and Latin American Feminisms, Transformation, and Resistance. Oxford University Press, 2019.
• Johnson, Lemuel A., editor. The Idea of a Human Rights Museum. University of Manitoba Press, 2015.
• Rothberg, Michael, and Yasemin Yildiz, editors. Multidirectional Memory: Remembering the Holocaust in the Age of Decolonization. Stanford University Press, 2009.
• Young, Robert J. C., editor. Bearing Witness against Sin: The Evangelical Birth of the American Social Movement. University of Chicago Press, 2001.