Decolonial Theory in English Literature

Introduction: Decolonial Theory in English Literature

Decolonial theory in English literature constitutes a vital intellectual framework that has arisen in response to the pervasive colonial underpinnings present in literary works. Rooted in an acknowledgment of historical injustices, this theoretical perspective strives to dismantle entrenched Eurocentric narratives and power structures inherent in literature.

Its primary objective is to represent the voices of marginalized communities, interrogate dominant cultural hegemonies, and shed light on the diverse experiences of formerly colonized peoples. Through the deconstruction and decolonization of literary discourse, scholars employing decolonial theory aim to cultivate a more inclusive and equitable representation of narratives, perspectives, and identities that have historically endured marginalization or suppression. This theoretical paradigm not only recognizes the enduring impact of colonialism on literature but actively participates in the reclamation of cultural autonomy and agency for previously oppressed communities, thereby contributing to a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the intricate dynamics within the literary landscape.

Decolonial Theory: Theorists, Works and Arguments

1. Frantz Fanon:

• Works:
  • “The Wretched of the Earth”
  • “Black Skin, White Masks”
• Arguments:
  • Fanon explored the psychological impact of colonialism, asserting that the oppressed must reclaim agency through revolutionary action.
  • Emphasized the dehumanizing effects of colonial structures on both the colonized and colonizers, advocating for a complete decolonization process.

2. Edward Said:

• Works:
  • “Orientalism”
• Arguments:
  • Said critiqued Western representations of the East, asserting that these representations served imperialistic agendas.
  • Highlighted how Orientalism contributed to the construction of a superior Western identity and the marginalization of Eastern cultures.

3. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o:

• Works:
  • “Decolonising the Mind”
  • “Petals of Blood”
• Arguments:
  • Advocated for the decolonization of language, asserting that the imposition of colonial languages perpetuates cultural subjugation.
  • Emphasized the importance of embracing native languages as a means of reclaiming cultural autonomy and resisting neocolonial influences.

4. Aníbal Quijano:

• Works:
  • “Coloniality of Power, Eurocentrism, and Latin America”
• Arguments:
  • Developed the concept of the “coloniality of power,” highlighting the persistence of colonial structures in contemporary power dynamics.
  • Explored how Eurocentrism continues to shape global power relations and the need to challenge these structures.

5. Walter Mignolo:

• Works:
  • “The Darker Side of Western Modernity”
  • “Local Histories/Global Designs”
• Arguments:
  • Extended Quijano’s work, emphasizing the importance of de-linking from Western-centric epistemologies.
  • Advocated for diverse forms of knowledge production and the recognition of pluriversal perspectives.

6. Gloria Anzaldúa:

• Works:
  • “Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza”
• Arguments:
  • Explored the intersections of cultural, linguistic, and gender identities in borderland spaces.
  • Advocated for the acceptance and celebration of hybrid, mestiza identities as a form of resistance against rigid categorizations.

7. Homi Bhabha:

• Works:
  • “The Location of Culture”
• Arguments:
  • Developed the concept of the “third space,” highlighting the emergence of cultural identities in the interstices between colonizer and colonized.
  • Emphasized the potential for subversion and resistance in these hybrid, in-between spaces.

8. María Lugones:

• Works:
  • “Pilgrimages/Peregrinajes: Theorizing Coalition Against Multiple Oppressions”
• Arguments:
  • Developed the concept of “world-traveling,” advocating for understanding and respecting diverse perspectives and knowledges.
  • Emphasized the importance of coalition-building against multiple forms of oppression.

These theorists collectively contribute to the rich tapestry of decolonial theory, offering nuanced insights into the complexities of colonial legacies and strategies for fostering transformative, equitable futures.

Principals of Decolonial Theory in Literature

Principal	Explanation
Historical Acknowledgment:	Recognition and acknowledgment of historical injustices and the enduring impact of colonialism on literature.
Deconstruction of Eurocentric Narratives:	Active deconstruction and dismantling of entrenched Eurocentric narratives that have historically dominated literary discourse.
Amplification of Marginalized Voices:	Prioritization of marginalized voices and narratives, aiming to provide a platform for those historically silenced or excluded.
Interrogation of Cultural Hegemonies:	Critical examination and interrogation of dominant cultural hegemonies within literary representations.
Representation of Diverse Experiences:	Promotion of a more inclusive literary landscape by shedding light on the diverse experiences of formerly colonized peoples.
Decolonization of Literary Discourse:	Active engagement in the decolonization of literary discourse, challenging and transforming structures that perpetuate colonial ideologies.
Equitable Narrative Representation:	Commitment to fostering equitable representation of narratives, perspectives, and identities that have been historically marginalized or suppressed.
Cultural Autonomy and Agency:	Advocacy for the reclamation of cultural autonomy and agency by communities that have experienced historical oppression.
Resistance to Cultural Appropriation:	Vigilance and resistance against cultural appropriation, ensuring that the representation of cultures is respectful and authentic.
Comprehensive Understanding:	Contribution to a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the intricate dynamics within the literary landscape by incorporating decolonial perspectives.

Decolonial Theory: Application in Critiques

Novel	Critique
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe	In analyzing through Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s lens of language decolonization, we explore how Achebe’s choice to write in English influences the representation of Igbo culture. This critique delves into the potential impact of using indigenous languages, examining how language choices shape the cultural portrayal and the dynamics of cultural preservation and adaptation.
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez	By utilizing Aníbal Quijano’s concept of the “coloniality of power,” this critique delves into the power dynamics within the Buendía family. It explores how colonial legacies intricately shape the family’s trajectory and their interactions with external forces, providing a nuanced understanding of power structures in the narrative and the lasting impacts of colonization on personal and collective destinies.
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy	Applying Homi Bhabha’s idea of the “third space,” this critique examines the novel’s exploration of cultural hybridity. It analyzes how the characters navigate their identities in the post-colonial context, negotiating between tradition and modernity. The exploration of the “third space” adds depth to the understanding of identity formation, highlighting the complexities of cultural intersections and the challenges of existing in between established binaries.
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys	Critiquing through Frantz Fanon’s lens of psychological impact, this analysis delves into the profound psychological effects of colonialism on Antoinette, the protagonist. It explores her resistance against the colonial structures that shape her identity, unraveling the layers of psychological struggle and resilience within the context of colonial oppression. The critique provides insights into the internal turmoil and resistance against the psychological colonization of individuals.

Terms in Decolonial Theory

1. Coloniality of Power: Refers to the enduring power structures and hierarchies established during the colonial period that persist beyond formal colonization, influencing social, economic, and political relations.
2. Third Space: Coined by Homi Bhabha, it represents a space of cultural hybridity where different cultures meet and interact, challenging fixed notions of identity and offering possibilities for new, hybrid forms of expression.
3. Language Decolonization: Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o emphasizes the need to reclaim indigenous languages as a form of resistance against colonial legacies. Language is seen as a key aspect of cultural identity and decolonization.
4. Epistemicide: The deliberate destruction or marginalization of indigenous knowledge systems and ways of knowing, often perpetrated by colonial powers, leading to the erasure of alternative worldviews.
5. Subaltern: A concept from post-colonial theory, popularized by Gayatri Spivak, referring to marginalized and oppressed groups whose voices are often unheard and ignored within dominant discourses.
6. Decolonizing the Mind: A concept by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, it advocates for freeing one’s mind from the mental colonization imposed by colonial languages and ideologies, encouraging a return to indigenous ways of thinking.
7. Hybridity: The blending of different cultural elements to create new, complex identities. In decolonial theory, it challenges essentialist views of culture and identity, emphasizing the fluid and dynamic nature of cultural formations.
8. Fanonism: Derived from the work of Frantz Fanon, it explores the psychological impact of colonization on individuals and societies, emphasizing the need for psychological liberation alongside political and economic independence.
9. Critical Indigenous Studies: An interdisciplinary field that examines the experiences, histories, and cultures of indigenous peoples from a critical perspective, often challenging Eurocentric narratives and promoting indigenous voices.
10. Global South/Global North: Terms used to describe the socio-economic and geopolitical divisions between more economically developed nations (Global North) and less developed nations (Global South), highlighting the legacies of colonial exploitation and power imbalances in the contemporary world.

Decolonial Theory: Suggested Readings

1. Mignolo, Walter D. Local Histories/Global Designs: Coloniality, Subaltern Knowledges, and Border Thinking. Princeton UP, 2000.
2. Anzaldúa, Gloria. Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza. Aunt Lute Books, 1987.
3. Quijano, Aníbal. “Coloniality of Power, Eurocentrism, and Latin America.” Nepantla: Views from South, vol. 1, no. 3, 2000, pp. 533-580.
4. Bhabha, Homi K. The Location of Culture. Routledge, 1994.
5. Spivak, Gayatri Chakravorty. A Critique of Postcolonial Reason: Toward a History of the Vanishing Present. Harvard UP, 1999.
6. Fanon, Frantz. The Wretched of the Earth. Grove Press, 1963.
7. Lugones, María. “Playfulness, ‘World’-Travelling, and Loving Perception.” Hypatia, vol. 2, no. 2, 1987, pp. 3-19.
8. Santos, Boaventura de Sousa. Epistemologies of the South: Justice against Epistemicide. Routledge, 2014.
9. Smith, Linda Tuhiwai. Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples. Zed Books, 1999.
10. Ndlovu-Gatsheni, Sabelo J. Epistemic Freedom in Africa: Deprovincialization and Decolonization. Routledge, 2018.