Decolonization in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Decolonization

The term “decolonization” is derived from the word “colonization.” It refers to the process and movement through which former colonies and territories gain independence from colonial powers.

The etymology of “decolonization” is rooted in the Latin word “colonus,” which originally referred to a farmer or settler. Over time, it evolved to denote the establishment and expansion of colonies, typically by European powers during the period of imperialism.

The term emerged in the mid-20th century as a response to the widespread decolonization movements that sought to end colonial rule, reclaim national sovereignty, and foster political, social, and economic independence among formerly colonized nations.

It encapsulates the dismantling of colonial systems and the assertion of self-determination by nations seeking to free themselves from imperial control and its associated legacies.

Meanings of Decolonization

Aspect	Meanings
1. Political Independence	It signifies the process by which formerly colonized nations achieve political autonomy and sovereignty, breaking free from colonial rule and governance.
2. Reclamation of Cultural Identity	It involves the revival and reassertion of cultural, linguistic, and traditional identities that may have been suppressed or eroded during the colonial period.
3. Economic Self-Determination	It often involves efforts to gain control over economic resources and reduce economic dependency on former colonial powers.
4. Social and Educational Reforms	It includes initiatives to address social injustices, inequalities, and educational reforms aimed at decolonizing curricula and knowledge systems.
5. Redefining National Narratives	Decolonization seeks to reshape national narratives and historical perspectives to reflect the experiences and perspectives of formerly colonized peoples.
6. Addressing Colonial Legacies	This process also entails addressing the enduring effects of colonization, such as structural inequalities, cultural assimilation, and social divisions.
7. Advocating for Self-Determination	Decolonization movements emphasize the right to self-determination and the rejection of external control, allowing nations to shape their own destinies.

Definition of Decolonization as a Theoretical Term

Decolonization, as a theoretical term, refers to the multifaceted process by which formerly colonized nations or communities strive to regain political sovereignty and dismantle the enduring legacies of colonial rule.

It involves efforts to reclaim cultural identities, address economic dependencies, and reshape national narratives, often marked by social and educational reforms. It underscores the pursuit of self-determination and the rejection of external control, ultimately aiming to restore autonomy and agency to those who have experienced colonial subjugation.

Decolonization: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorist	Works	Arguments
Frantz Fanon	The Wretched of the Earth (1961)	Fanon’s work argued that decolonization is not just a political process but a deeply psychological and sociocultural one. He emphasized the need for a radical transformation of the colonized psyche and the complete overthrow of colonial structures for genuine liberation.
Albert Memmi	The Colonizer and the Colonized (1957)	Memmi’s book explored the complex relationships between colonizers and the colonized and how these dynamics change during the process of decolonization. He highlighted the psychological effects of colonialism and the challenges faced by both colonizers and the colonized during decolonization.
Aimé Césaire	Discourse on Colonialism (1955)	Césaire’s essay critiqued the moral and ethical aspects of colonialism and argued that decolonization was not just about political independence but also about the rejection of colonial values, ethics, and practices.
Nelson Mandela	Various speeches and writings	Nelson Mandela’s life and work exemplified the struggle for decolonization, particularly in the context of apartheid in South Africa. His advocacy for reconciliation and equality became a symbol of the fight against colonial and racial oppression.
Edward Said	Orientalism (1978)	Said’s work, while primarily focused on the Middle East, contributed to the discourse on decolonization by critiquing Western representations of non-Western cultures. He highlighted the importance of decolonizing knowledge and challenging Eurocentric perspectives.

Decolonization and Literary Theories

1. Postcolonial Theory:
   • Postcolonial theory is perhaps the most directly relevant to decolonization. It examines the literature and cultural expressions of formerly colonized peoples, focusing on issues of identity, representation, resistance, and the consequences of colonial rule. Postcolonial literature often engages with the process of decolonization and its aftermath.
2. Feminist Theory:
   • Feminist literary theory intersects with decolonization in exploring how gender, along with colonialism, shapes the lives of women in postcolonial societies. It delves into the ways in which decolonization impacts women’s roles and their struggles for equality and autonomy.
3. Identity Theory:
   • Identity theory, including the works of Stuart Hall and Homi Bhabha, is relevant to decolonization because it examines how individuals and communities construct their identities in a postcolonial context. It explores the complexities of identity formation in response to decolonization and the negotiation of multiple cultural affiliations.
4. Narrative Theory:
   • Narrative theory, which deals with storytelling and the construction of meaning, is relevant to decolonization in the context of how narratives about colonialism and its aftermath are created, challenged, and reshaped. Decolonization often involves reevaluating and retelling historical narratives from the perspectives of the formerly colonized.
5. Cultural Studies:
   • Cultural studies, as it intersects with literary theory, addresses the cultural dimensions of decolonization, including language, traditions, and the representation of culture in literature. It explores how culture is redefined and reclaimed in the process of decolonization.
6. Marxist Theory:
   • Marxist literary theory examines the economic and social dimensions of colonialism and how these issues are relevant to decolonization. It considers the redistribution of resources and the role of class struggle in postcolonial contexts.
7. Globalization Theory:
   • Globalization theory, especially in relation to literature, examines the influence of global forces on postcolonial societies. It explores how decolonization intersects with the dynamics of globalization, including the flow of information and cultural exchange.

Decolonization in Literary Criticism

Works	Critique
1. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe	Things Fall Apart is a powerful critique. It depicts the Igbo society’s disintegration and the clash between traditional values and colonial influences. Through the character of Okonkwo, Achebe explores the internal struggles of individuals who must adapt to changing circumstances, and he critiques the damaging impact of colonization on cultural identity. The novel effectively portrays the complexities of decolonization, including the loss of indigenous traditions and the challenges of adapting to new cultural norms.
2. Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys	Wide Sargasso Sea is a prequel to Charlotte Brontë’s “Jane Eyre” and offers a powerful critique of decolonization in the context of the Caribbean. It tells the story of Antoinette Cosway, a Creole woman marginalized by her European husband and British colonialism. Rhys explores the racial and cultural tensions during the transition from colonial rule to independence. The novel critiques the erasure of Creole identities and the psychological impact of colonization on the marginalized.
3. Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie	Midnight’s Children is a complex and magical realist critique of decolonization in post-independence India. The story follows Saleem Sinai, who is born at the stroke of midnight on India’s independence day. Rushdie uses magical realism to highlight the tumultuous and often chaotic process of decolonization and nation-building. He critiques the legacy of colonialism, religious and cultural diversity, and the challenges of constructing a national identity in a postcolonial context.
4. Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee	Disgrace offers a subtle but profound critique of decolonization in post-apartheid South Africa. It follows the life of David Lurie, a former professor who grapples with the shifting power dynamics and identity changes in a society that has undergone decolonization. Coetzee explores themes of guilt, privilege, and the erosion of traditional power structures in a postcolonial context. The novel is a critique of the challenges and moral complexities of decolonization, especially concerning race and identity.

Suggested Readings

1. Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. Anchor, 1994.
2. Cesaire, Aime. Discourse on Colonialism. Monthly Review Press, 2001.
3. Coetzee, J.M. Disgrace. Penguin, 1999.
4. Fanon, Frantz. The Wretched of the Earth. Grove Press, 2005.
5. Memmi, Albert. The Colonizer and the Colonized. Beacon Press, 1991.
6. Rhys, Jean. Wide Sargasso Sea. W.W. Norton & Company, 1999.
7. Rushdie, Salman. Midnight’s Children. Vintage, 2008.