Decolonial Literary Theory

Introduction to Decolonial Literary Theory

The term “decolonial” comes from “decolonize,” which means to undo or challenge the effects of colonialism. Decolonial literary theory is a critical framework that seeks to challenge and dismantle the enduring legacies of colonialism in the realm of literature and literary studies. Drawing from postcolonial theory, it focuses on questioning dominant Western narratives, exposing power imbalances, and centering the voices and experiences of marginalized communities and cultures.

By deconstructing the colonial underpinnings in literature, this approach aims to promote a more inclusive, equitable, and diverse understanding of literary production and interpretation, encouraging a broader appreciation of the world’s diverse literary traditions.

Meanings of Decolonial Literary Theory

Aspect	Meaning
Critique of Colonial Legacies	Examining lasting colonial impacts on culture and literature.
Empowerment of Marginalized Voices	Amplifying marginalized and indigenous voices in literature.
Language as Resistance	Using language to challenge colonial power dynamics.
Intersectional Analysis	Considering how oppression intersects in literature.
Challenging Binary Thinking	Questioning fixed identities and promoting hybridity.
Decolonization of Methodologies	Adopting culturally sensitive research methods.
Resistance and Liberation	Using literature for resistance and envisioning liberation.
Global Relevance	Addressing colonial legacies worldwide.

Decolonial Literary Theory: Origin, Theorists, Works and Arguments

Origin of Decolonial Literary Theory:

• Emerged in the late 20th century as a response to the enduring impact of colonialism on literature and culture.
• Rooted in postcolonial theory but emphasizes the necessity of decolonizing both content and methods of literary analysis.

Prominent Decolonial Literary Theorists:

1. Frantz Fanon:
   • Author of The Wretched of the Earth (1961).
   • Pioneered the concept of decolonizing the mind and highlighted the psychological effects of colonialism on literature and identity.
2. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o:
   • Known for his work Decolonizing the Mind (1986).
   • Advocated for African writers to return to their native languages and challenge the dominance of European languages in literature.
3. Gloria Anzaldúa:
   • Author of Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza (1987).
   • Focused on the borderlands as a space where identities and languages intersect, challenging colonial borders.

Key Works in Decolonial Literary Theory:

1. The Location of Culture by Homi Bhabha (1994):
   • Explores hybridity and the third space as strategies for subverting colonial discourse.
2. Coloniality at Large: Latin America and the Postcolonial Debate edited by Mabel Moraña, Enrique Dussel, and Carlos A. Jáuregui (2008):
   • Examines the impact of coloniality on Latin American literature and culture.
3. Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples by Linda Tuhiwai Smith (1999):
   • Discusses the importance of indigenous voices and methodologies in decolonizing research.

Key Arguments in Decolonial Literary Theory:

• Language and Identity: It emphasizes the role of language in shaping identities and calls for the revitalization of indigenous languages in literature.
• Borderlands and Hybridity: It focuses on liminal spaces where cultures intersect, challenging fixed identities and binary thinking.
• Coloniality and Power Structures: It analyzes how colonial legacies continue to influence power dynamics in literature, representation, and academia.
• Resistance and Decolonization: It encourages writers to engage in decolonial praxis by challenging colonial narratives and promoting indigenous voices.
• Intersectionality: It recognizes that decolonization efforts intersect with other social justice movements, such as feminism and anti-racism.

Principles of Decolonial Literary Theory

Decolonial theory is a complex and multifaceted field of study, but there are several key principles that are central to its approach:

Principal	Explanation
Critique of Colonial Legacy	Decolonial literary theory critically examines how colonialism has shaped literary canons, genres, themes, and the representation of cultures and identities within literary works.
Empowering Marginalized Voices	It seeks to give voice to the experiences and perspectives of marginalized and oppressed communities that have been historically silenced or overshadowed by colonial power structures.
Unveiling Power Imbalances	This theory aims to uncover and address the power imbalances present in literary production and reception, exposing Eurocentric biases that have influenced literary scholarship.
Promotion of Diversity and Inclusivity	This approach emphasizes the importance of recognizing and embracing the diversity of literary traditions worldwide, moving beyond a narrow Western-centric lens.
Intersectionality	This theory acknowledges the intersections of various forms of oppression, such as race, gender, class, and sexuality, and explores how these intersections influence literary representation.
Decentering the West	It challenges the dominance of Western literary theories and critiques, advocating for the integration of non-Western perspectives and traditions in literary studies.
Decolonizing Literary Pedagogy	This theory calls for a reevaluation of literary curricula and pedagogical approaches to ensure a more inclusive and decolonized teaching of literature.
Engagement with Indigenous Knowledge	Decolonial literary theory recognizes and respects indigenous knowledge systems and oral traditions, encouraging their inclusion in the study of literature.
Interrogating Language and Translation	It explores the implications of language use and translation in literary works, considering how power dynamics affect linguistic representation and understanding.
Resistance and Transformation	Decolonial literary theory highlights literary works that resist colonial ideologies and imaginaries while envisioning alternative narratives and pathways towards societal transformation.

Suggested Readings

1. Anzaldúa, Gloria. Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza. Aunt Lute Books, 1987.
2. Bhambra, Gurminder K., et al. Decolonizing the University. Pluto Press, 2018.
3. Fanon, Frantz. The Wretched of the Earth. Translated by Richard Philcox, Grove Press, 2004.
4. Mignolo, Walter D. The Darker Side of Western Modernity: Global Futures, Decolonial Options. Duke University Press, 2011.
5. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o. Decolonising the Mind: The Politics of Language in African Literature. Heinemann, 1986.
6. Quijano, Aníbal. Coloniality of Power, Eurocentrism, and Latin America. Nepantla: Views from South 1.3 (2000): 533-580.
7. Said, Edward W. Orientalism. Vintage Books, 1979.
8. Santos, Boaventura de Sousa. Epistemologies of the South: Justice against Epistemicide. Routledge, 2014.
9. Spivak, Gayatri Chakravorty. A Critique of Postcolonial Reason: Toward a History of the Vanishing Present. Harvard University Press, 1999.