Exclusivism in Literature & Literary Theory

Exclusivism: Etymology, Meanings, and Concept

Exclusivism: Etymology/Term:

The term “exclusivism” is derived from the Latin word “exclusivus,” meaning to shut out or deny access. It has been used to describe various ideologies and practices that emphasize the exclusive nature of certain beliefs, privileges, or groups, often excluding others.

Meanings and Concept:

• Religious: In religious contexts, exclusivism refers to the belief that one’s own religious tradition is the only true path to salvation or enlightenment, excluding alternative beliefs.
• Cultural: Cultural exclusivism entails the promotion of a particular culture as superior or dominant, often excluding or marginalizing other cultural expressions.
• Political: In politics, exclusivism can manifest as the exclusion of certain groups or individuals based on ethnicity, race, or other characteristics, limiting their participation in governance.
• Economic : This pertains to economic systems or policies that favor specific groups, leading to the exclusion or marginalization of others from economic opportunities.
• Intellectual Intellectual exclusivism involves the belief that certain ideas or knowledge should be privileged over others, limiting diverse perspectives and contributions.

Exclusivism, in its various forms, raises ethical and social concerns as it can contribute to division, discrimination, and the stifling of diversity and inclusion.

Exclusivism: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Exclusivism, as a theoretical term, encompasses ideologies or practices that prioritize the exclusive nature of specific beliefs, privileges, or groups, often leading to the exclusion of alternative perspectives or individuals. It can manifest in religious contexts as the conviction that only one religious tradition holds ultimate truth, in cultural contexts as the assertion of one culture’s superiority, and political spheres as the marginalization of certain groups. The concept raises ethical questions regarding diversity, inclusion, and the potential for fostering division within various societal domains.

Exclusivism: Theorists, Works and Argument

Theorist	Key Work	Argument
John Hick	God and the Universe of Faiths	Argues against religious exclusivism and promotes a pluralistic approach, emphasizing the validity of multiple faiths.
Edward Said	Orientalism	Examines cultural exclusivism in Western representations of the East, highlighting how it perpetuates stereotypes and power imbalances.
John Rawls	A Theory of Justice	Develops a political philosophy that challenges exclusivism by advocating for a just and inclusive society, emphasizing equal opportunities for all.
Karl Barth	Church Dogmatics	Represents a theological perspective that critiques religious exclusivism by emphasizing the transcendent nature of God’s grace, accessible to all.
Amartya Sen	Identity and Violence: The Illusion of Destiny	Addresses exclusivism by exploring the dangers of narrow identity constructions, advocating for a broader understanding of individuals beyond singular affiliations.
Martha Nussbaum	The Fragility of Goodness	Discusses the dangers of cultural exclusivism and argues for a global ethical framework that recognizes the shared humanity and moral capabilities of all cultures.
Thomas Hobbes	Leviathan	While not explicitly focused on exclusivism, Hobbes’ social contract theory contributes to political thought by emphasizing the need for a sovereign authority to prevent exclusivist conflicts.
Pope John Paul II	Redemptor Hominis	Addresses religious exclusivism by promoting dialogue and cooperation among different faiths, emphasizing common ethical values for the betterment of humanity.

These theorists and works offer insights into various dimensions of exclusivism, spanning religious, cultural, political, and ethical contexts.

Exclusivism: Major Characteristics

• Religious:
  • Example: In Orhan Pamuk’s “My Name is Red,” religious exclusivism is explored through the character of Black, shedding light on the conflict between different religious perspectives and the repercussions of unwavering commitment to exclusive doctrines.
• Cultural:
  • Example: Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart” portrays cultural exclusivism through the clash between the Igbo culture and colonial influences, illustrating the detrimental effects of cultural imposition and exclusion.
• Political:
  • Example: George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” depicts political exclusivism, where the ruling pigs embody the exclusionary nature of power, marginalizing other animals and betraying the initially inclusive ideals of the rebellion.
• Intellectual:
  • Example: Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” explores intellectual exclusivism in a dystopian society that censors and burns books, emphasizing the dangers of limiting intellectual diversity and alternative perspectives.
• Social:
  • Example: J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series addresses social exclusivism, with the pure-blood versus Muggle-born conflict symbolizing discrimination based on magical lineage, drawing parallels to real-world issues of prejudice.
• Economic:
  • Example: John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath” portrays economic exclusivism during the Great Depression, where corporate interests lead to the exploitation and exclusion of impoverished workers, reflecting broader societal inequalities.
• Nationalistic :
  • Example: Ken Kesey’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” explores nationalistic exclusivism within a mental institution, where conformity to a rigid national identity suppresses individuality and diverse perspectives.
• Gender-based:
  • Example: Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” illustrates gender-based exclusivism in a dystopian society, where women are subjected to strict roles, showcasing the consequences of gender-based exclusion and oppression.

These examples from literature highlight how exclusivism manifests in various forms, contributing to nuanced discussions about the consequences and complexities of exclusive ideologies in society.

Exclusivism: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Exclusivism
Postcolonial Theory	Examines the impact of cultural and colonial exclusivism, exploring how dominant cultures oppress and marginalize others, as seen in works like Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s “Decolonising the Mind.”
Feminist Literary Criticism	Investigates gender-based aspect analyzing how literature reflects and challenges societal norms and discrimination, as exemplified in Virginia Woolf’s “A Room of One’s Own.”
Marxist Literary Criticism	Explores economic exclusivism, examining how literature portrays class struggles and the consequences of economic inequality, as seen in John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath.”
Postmodernism	Questions authoritative and exclusive narratives, deconstructing traditional structures and challenging the idea of a single, objective truth, as showcased in Italo Calvino’s “If on a winter’s night a traveler.”
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Analyzes the psychological aspects of exclusivism, exploring characters’ motivations and the impact of exclusion on the human psyche, as seen in Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis.”
Queer Theory	Examines exclusivism related to sexuality and gender identity, critiquing societal norms and exploring the experiences of marginalized individuals, as depicted in Jeanette Winterson’s “Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit.”
Cultural Studies	Investigates cultural exclusivism, analyzing how literature reflects and challenges dominant cultural ideologies, as seen in Edward Said’s “Orientalism” and Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart.”
Ecocriticism	Explores environmental exclusivism, examining literature’s portrayal of human-nature relationships and the consequences of excluding certain ecological perspectives, as seen in Terry Tempest Williams’s “Refuge.”
Narrative Theory	Analyzes how exclusivism shapes narrative structures, examining how the exclusion or marginalization of certain voices impacts storytelling, as seen in Arundhati Roy’s “The God of Small Things.”

These literary theories demonstrate how the concept of exclusivism is central to critical discussions, allowing for nuanced analyses of power dynamics, discrimination, and societal structures in literature.

Exclusivism: Application in Critiques

1. The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay:
   • Application: The novel explores racial aspect in South Africa during the apartheid era, focusing on the protagonist’s journey as he confronts racial prejudice. The narrative delves into the consequences of racial aspect on personal relationships and societal divisions.
   • Critique: Courtenay’s work critiques the destructive impact of racial exclusivism, emphasizing the need for unity and understanding across racial lines to overcome systemic oppression.
2. Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro:
   • Application: Ishiguro’s novel delves into a dystopian world where a certain group of individuals are systematically excluded and marginalized based on their genetic makeup. The narrative explores the ethical implications of societal exclusivism in the pursuit of scientific progress.
   • Critique: The critique may focus on how Ishiguro prompts readers to reflect on the moral dilemmas arising from scientific aspect and the dehumanizing effects on the marginalized group.
3. The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid:
   • Application: Hamid’s novel examines cultural aspect, particularly in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks. The protagonist’s experience reflects the challenges of belonging to a specific cultural or religious group in a society marked by suspicion and exclusivity.
   • Critique: Hamid critiques cultural aspect, urging readers to question stereotypes and preconceived notions about identity, religion, and the consequences of excluding individuals based on cultural affiliations.
4. The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin:
   • Application: Le Guin’s novel explores the consequences of political and ideological aspect in a speculative society where two opposing worlds exist. The narrative delves into the challenges faced by individuals navigating the exclusivity of their respective societies.
   • Critique: The critique may emphasize Le Guin’s exploration of the impact of political aspect on individual freedoms, societal structures, and the possibilities of transcending ideological boundaries.

Exclusivism: Relevant Terms

Cultural Hegemony	Dominance of one culture’s ideas, excluding others in literature.
Ethnocentrism	Judging other cultures by one’s own, influencing character dynamics.
Marginalization	Literary exclusion or relegation of characters to secondary roles.
Othering	Depicting characters or groups as fundamentally different or alien.
Stereotyping	Fixed, oversimplified ideas about the characteristics of a group.
Discrimination	Unjust treatment or exclusion based on character attributes.
In-group Bias	Favoritism toward characters within a particular social group.
Prejudice	Preconceived opinions influencing character interactions.
Double Consciousness	Du Bois’s concept of internal conflict for marginalized characters.
Social Exclusion	Literary portrayal of systematic exclusion from societal participation.

Exclusivism: Suggested Readings

1. Derrida, Jacques. Of Grammatology. Translated by Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Johns Hopkins UP, 1997.
2. Fanon, Frantz. The Wretched of the Earth. Translated by Richard Philcox, Grove Press, 2004.
3. hooks, bell. Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism. South End Press, 1981.
4. Klein, Naomi. The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism. Metropolitan Books, 2007.
5. Morrison, Toni. Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and the Literary Imagination. Harvard UP, 1992.
6. Nussbaum, Martha C. The Clash Within: Democracy, Religious Violence, and India’s Future. Harvard UP, 2007.
7. Orwell, George. 1984. Signet Classics, 1961.
8. Said, Edward W. Orientalism. Vintage Books, 1979.
9. Winterson, Jeanette. Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit. Grove Press, 1985.
10. Zinn, Howard. A People’s History of the United States. Harper Perennial, 2005.