Introduction: “Feminists Theorize Colonial/Postcolonial” by Rosemary Marangoly George
“Feminists Theorize Colonial/Postcolonial” by Rosemary Marangoly George first appeared in The Cambridge Companion to Feminist Literary Theory in 2006. The essay explores the intersection of feminist theory and postcolonial studies, emphasizing the critical need to challenge Western feminist discourse’s homogenization of “Third World Women” and the gendered biases in postcolonial critiques. George traces the evolution of postcolonial feminist literary criticism, highlighting its foundational texts and figures, such as Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak’s influential essay “Three Women’s Texts and a Critique of Imperialism,” which redefined feminist readings by uncovering imperialist ideologies embedded in canonical texts. George argues that postcolonial feminist scholarship demands an interrogation of literature’s complicity in colonial power dynamics and its potential for resistance. As George articulates, “Postcolonial feminist criticism contests the very location of literature itself,” underscoring the need for a multifaceted analysis that integrates race, gender, class, and caste. This essay remains pivotal in literary theory, fostering critical awareness of the cultural and ideological forces shaping literary production and reception.
Summary of “Feminists Theorize Colonial/Postcolonial” by Rosemary Marangoly George
1. Postcolonial Feminist Theory: A Critical Disruption
- Postcolonial feminist theory seeks to challenge and reinterpret both postcolonial theory and liberal Western feminism, particularly their universalizing tendencies regarding “Third World Women” (George, 2006).
- It critiques how knowledge about non-Western women is constructed and emphasizes the importance of location, representation, and “voicing” female subjectivity within literary analyses (p. 211).
2. Critique of Western Feminism and Postcolonial Masculinism
- Early postcolonial feminist scholarship interrogates the biases of Western feminist theory, which often centers First World women’s texts, ignoring global inequalities (p. 211).
- It also exposes gendered blind spots in postcolonial critiques, highlighting the neglect of women’s experiences in colonial and postcolonial power structures (p. 212).
3. Interconnectedness of Gender, Race, Class, and Nationality
- Postcolonial feminism integrates an understanding of gender within broader frameworks of race, nationality, class, and caste (p. 211).
- It resists simplistic portrayals of women’s oppression, acknowledging the diverse and intersecting identities of women in colonial and postcolonial contexts (p. 211-212).
4. Postcolonial Critique of Canon Formation
- Postcolonial theorists critique the Western literary canon by challenging traditional definitions of “worthy” literature, emphasizing cultural texts as sites of resistance (p. 212).
- Scholars like Ngugi Wa Thiongo classify literature into “oppression” and “struggle,” arguing that literature is inherently political (p. 213).
5. Gendered Dynamics of Colonialism and Postcolonialism
- Postcolonial feminists, influenced by works like Spivak’s “Three Women’s Texts and a Critique of Imperialism”, argue that gender shapes experiences of colonialism differently for men and women (p. 213-214).
- Gender, however, is not the sole axis of difference; it operates in conjunction with other social categories (p. 213-214).
6. The Subaltern Voice and Representation
- Spivak’s question, “Can the subaltern speak?” underscores the difficulty of giving voice and agency to marginalized women under colonial and patriarchal systems (p. 215-216).
- Feminist scholars like Lata Mani reveal how colonial and patriarchal systems manipulate representations of women, such as in debates around sati in colonial India (p. 215).
7. Gender and Nationalism
- Postcolonial feminists critique nationalist projects that use women symbolically while marginalizing them in practice (p. 222).
- Works like Partha Chatterjee’s “The Nationalist Resolution of the Women’s Question” illustrate how women are confined to symbolic roles within cultural and spiritual domains, reinforcing patriarchal norms (p. 222).
8. Cultural Critique Beyond Literature
- Postcolonial feminists expand their critique beyond literature, examining films, music, and oral traditions as cultural forms that may better represent marginalized voices in illiterate societies (p. 224).
- They highlight how Western academic interest in literary works, often written in colonizers’ languages, creates inequalities within postcolonial societies (p. 224).
9. Contributions to Global Feminist Dialogues
- The work of scholars like Mohanty critiques the homogenization of “Third World Women” in feminist discourses, emphasizing localized and nuanced understandings of oppression (p. 220).
- Postcolonial feminism calls for a global rethinking of feminist practices and recognizes the interconnectedness of race, class, and gender (p. 227).
10. Evolving Challenges in Global Literary Studies
- As global literary studies emerge, postcolonial feminists urge scholars to address their positionality and avoid imperialist frameworks in analyzing literature and culture (p. 228).
- They emphasize the importance of engaging with diverse cultural productions and theoretical perspectives to enrich the field (p. 229).
Theoretical Terms/Concepts in “Feminists Theorize Colonial/Postcolonial” by Rosemary Marangoly George
| Term/Concept | Explanation | Source/Reference |
| Postcolonial Feminism | A critique that combines postcolonial and feminist theories to address the unique intersectional oppression faced by non-Western women. | George (2006, p. 211) |
| Third World Woman | A critical term that challenges the homogenization and objectification of women in non-Western contexts. | George (2006, p. 211); Mohanty (1984) |
| Subaltern | Derived from Gramsci, used to refer to marginalized and oppressed groups, with a focus on gendered subalterns. | Spivak (1988); George (2006, p. 215) |
| Gendered Subaltern | The idea that subaltern women face double marginalization due to colonial and patriarchal systems. | Spivak (1988); George (2006, p. 215) |
| Representation | Examines who has the power to represent marginalized groups and how these representations are constructed. | Spivak (1985); George (2006, p. 213) |
| Intersectionality | The interconnected nature of race, class, gender, and nationality in shaping experiences of oppression. | George (2006, p. 211) |
| Nationalist Feminism | Feminist critiques of nationalist movements that often use women symbolically while marginalizing them in practice. | Chatterjee (1993); George (2006, p. 222) |
| Discursive Colonialism | The tendency of Western feminist scholarship to universalize and essentialize “Third World Women.” | Mohanty (1984); George (2006, p. 220) |
| Colonial Discourse | The ideological frameworks used to justify and maintain colonial domination, often reinforcing racial and gender hierarchies. | Said (1978); George (2006, p. 213) |
| Provincializing Europe | A critical approach that seeks to decenter Europe as the universal standard in scholarly and cultural analyses. | Chakrabarty (2000); George (2006, p. 213) |
| Politics of Location | Awareness of how the scholar’s own positionality influences their analysis and engagement with marginalized voices. | Rich (1980); George (2006, p. 227) |
| Countersentence | A concept advocating for creating spaces where marginalized voices, particularly women, can speak and act. | Spivak (1988); George (2006, p. 216) |
| Postcolonial Canon Formation | Efforts to redefine what constitutes canonical literature by including texts from postcolonial and marginalized perspectives. | George (2006, p. 212) |
| Gender and Modernity | Exploration of how colonial and nationalist discourses constructed gender roles tied to notions of modernity. | Abu-Lughod (1998); George (2006, p. 222) |
| Heteronormativity in State Structures | The imposition of heterosexual norms in state policies and practices, particularly in colonial and postcolonial contexts. | Alexander (1997); George (2006, p. 227) |
Contribution of “Feminists Theorize Colonial/Postcolonial” by Rosemary Marangoly George to Literary Theory/Theories
1. Contribution to Postcolonial Theory
- Intersection of Gender and Postcolonialism: The work highlights how postcolonial theory often overlooks gender, emphasizing that colonialism and postcolonialism are experienced differently by men and women.
- “Postcolonial feminists intervened to insist that men and women experience aspects of colonialism and postcolonialism differently” (George, 2006, p. 213).
- Decentering Europe: Builds on Dipesh Chakrabarty’s idea of “provincializing Europe,” arguing for the deconstruction of European cultural dominance in literary discourse.
- “Postcolonial criticism aims to ‘provincialize Europe’ and counter the hegemonic weight of Enlightenment universalism” (George, 2006, p. 213).
2. Contribution to Feminist Theory
- Critique of Liberal Western Feminism: Challenges the ethnocentric universalism of Western feminism, particularly its construction of the monolithic “Third World Woman.”
- “A homogenous notion of the oppression of women is assumed, which produces the image of an ‘average third world woman'” (Mohanty in George, 2006, p. 220).
- Gender and Nationalism: Analyzes how women are symbolically central yet materially marginalized in nationalist projects.
- “Women were paradoxically both central (as symbolic figures) and marginal (in terms of actual changes in their material circumstances) to nationalist projects” (George, 2006, p. 222).
3. Contribution to Subaltern Studies
- Gendering the Subaltern: Builds on Gayatri Spivak’s “Can the Subaltern Speak?” to emphasize the challenges of representing disenfranchised women’s voices in colonial and postcolonial contexts.
- “The ‘impossible’ task of giving voice to the gendered subaltern is a primary concern in postcolonial literary feminism” (George, 2006, p. 217).
- Critical Reflection on Representation: Highlights the ethical dilemmas of elite scholars representing marginalized groups, positioning literary critics as complicit in the structures of power they critique.
- “Spivak forces the critic to acknowledge her power as a reading subject, as a consumer of texts about subaltern women” (George, 2006, p. 218).
4. Contribution to Canon Formation
- Expansion of the Literary Canon: Advocates for including non-traditional and non-Western literary texts in the canon, challenging the privileging of Western literature.
- “Postcolonial theorists were engaged in the task of widening the range of literary texts and practices understood as worthy of scholarly attention” (George, 2006, p. 213).
- Recognition of Alternative Forms: Critiques the overemphasis on written texts, proposing an exploration of oral narratives, storytelling, and other cultural productions.
- “Film, storytelling, music, or drama may be the cultural forms to study in contexts where literacy is not widespread” (George, 2006, p. 224).
5. Contribution to Discourse on Imperialism and Literature
- Imperialism and Literary Texts: Builds on Edward Said’s Orientalism to argue that literary texts are deeply imbricated in colonial ideologies.
- “Literary texts were shaped by and in turn shaped the ruling ideologies of their day” (George, 2006, p. 213).
- Critique of the “Universal” Individual: Questions the liberal feminist celebration of individualism in literature, particularly the construction of identity in imperialist contexts.
- “The feminist individualist heroine of British fiction comes into being through violence done to the Other” (Spivak in George, 2006, p. 214).
6. Contribution to Diaspora Studies
- Diasporic Identities and Cultural Production: Explores how literature written by diasporic authors intersects with issues of gender, colonialism, and globalization.
- “Diaspora Studies serves as an interesting site for feminist and other scholars, straddling several geographic locations” (George, 2006, p. 227).
- Global Literary Studies: Calls for rethinking the scope of literary analysis in a globalized context, emphasizing the need to address varied audiences and theoretical frameworks.
- “We cannot proceed with our scholarly projects oblivious to how our work speaks to scholarship or readership in different locations” (George, 2006, p. 228).
7. Contribution to Cultural Studies
- Colonial Education and Cultural Hegemony: Examines how colonial powers used literature as a tool of cultural domination, embedding the superiority of the colonizer in the minds of the colonized.
- “British colonizers spread the secular scripture of English literature through the colonial education system” (George, 2006, p. 213).
8. Contribution to Modernity and Gender
- Critique of Modernity: Analyzes how colonial and nationalist discourses constructed gender roles within the framework of modernity.
- “Modernity in the Middle East introduced new forms of gendered subjection as well as new experiences and possibilities” (Abu-Lughod in George, 2006, p. 222).
Examples of Critiques Through “Feminists Theorize Colonial/Postcolonial” by Rosemary Marangoly George
| Literary Work | Critique Through George’s Lens | Key Insights | Reference from Text |
| Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë | Critiques the feminist reading of Jane Eyre that celebrates her transformation while overlooking colonialist violence toward Bertha Mason. | Demonstrates how the “feminist individualist heroine” of British fiction is constructed through imperialist violence. | “The feminist individualist heroine of British fiction comes into being through violence done to the Other” (p. 214). |
| Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys | Highlights how Rhys gives voice to Bertha Mason, challenging colonial and imperialist erasure in Brontë’s narrative. | Explores the subjectivity and humanity of the Other, countering colonialist silencing. | “Rhys’s narrative tells Bertha’s version of her marriage to Mr. Rochester” (p. 214). |
| Draupadi by Mahasweta Devi | Examines how the subaltern protagonist defies state-sanctioned violence and reclaims agency even under extreme oppression. | Illuminates the countersentence of subaltern women, questioning whether such voices are truly heard or transformative. | “Draupadi is a subaltern woman with agency and with voice. Her ‘countersentence’ is on record” (p. 218). |
| Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga | Explores how the protagonist navigates the gendered and racial oppressions of postcolonial Zimbabwe. | Highlights the intersections of colonialism, gender, and familial expectations in shaping female identity. | “Frustration at the appropriation of the body, labor, and intellect of the female subject” (p. 222). |
Criticism Against “Feminists Theorize Colonial/Postcolonial” by Rosemary Marangoly George
- Overemphasis on Indian Context:
The essay heavily centers on the Indian colonial and postcolonial experience, limiting its applicability to other postcolonial contexts. George herself acknowledges that much of the postcolonial feminist theory canon emerges from Indian scholars, potentially marginalizing African, Caribbean, or other non-Indian perspectives. - Complexity of Language and Accessibility:
The dense academic language and theoretical complexity make the text inaccessible to readers outside the field of literary theory or postcolonial studies. This alienates non-academic or grassroots feminist audiences, reducing its potential impact on wider feminist movements. - Limited Engagement with Non-Literary Cultural Forms:
George critiques the prioritization of literary texts in postcolonial studies but does not sufficiently address or analyze non-literary cultural forms (e.g., film, oral storytelling, or music) that are more representative in many postcolonial societies. - Ambiguity in Defining “Subaltern Voice”:
While the essay highlights the importance of “giving voice” to subaltern women, it does not provide a concrete methodology for ensuring that these voices are authentically represented, leaving the concept of subaltern agency ambiguous. - Lack of Interdisciplinary Integration:
The analysis primarily focuses on literary theory without integrating insights from sociology, anthropology, or history that could provide a more comprehensive understanding of postcolonial feminism’s multidimensional nature. - Overreliance on Canonical Theorists:
The essay leans heavily on prominent scholars like Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak and Chandra Mohanty, potentially marginalizing other feminist thinkers and perspectives that could diversify the theoretical framework. - Neglect of Grassroots Feminist Movements:
There is minimal discussion of how grassroots feminist movements in postcolonial contexts have contributed to or challenged the theoretical frameworks discussed, creating a gap between theory and practice. - Critique of Western Feminism May Seem Overgeneralized:
While George critiques the universalizing tendencies of Western feminism, the critique can sometimes appear generalized, overlooking nuanced contributions from Western feminist scholars who engage with intersectionality and transnational perspectives. - Limited Exploration of Economic and Class Dynamics:
While gender and race are central to the analysis, economic and class dynamics are less rigorously explored, despite their critical role in shaping postcolonial feminist struggles. - Potential for Perpetuating Binary Oppositions:
The focus on “First World” vs. “Third World” feminist dynamics risks reinforcing binary oppositions that feminist and postcolonial theory aim to deconstruct, limiting the potential for more integrative approaches.
Representative Quotations from “Feminists Theorize Colonial/Postcolonial” by Rosemary Marangoly George with Explanation
| Quotation | Explanation |
| “Postcolonial feminist theory’s project can be described as one of interrupting the discourses of postcolonial theory and of liberal Western feminism.” | This establishes the dual critical aim of postcolonial feminist theory: to challenge both postcolonial theory’s masculinist tendencies and Western feminism’s universalizing assumptions about women, especially those in the Global South. |
| “Postcolonial feminist criticism contests the very location of literature itself.” | Postcolonial feminist theory redefines what constitutes literature by including non-canonical works and challenging traditional Western criteria for literary value. |
| “Gender must be understood as operating in tandem with the pressures of race, class, sexuality, and location.” | This emphasizes the intersectionality of postcolonial feminist analysis, rejecting simplistic or singular readings of gender oppression that ignore other axes of identity. |
| “The urgency to end colonial rule was often first publicly expressed in cultural texts.” | George highlights the political potential of cultural production, demonstrating how literary and artistic expressions have historically been integral to anticolonial resistance. |
| “The feminist individualist heroine of British fiction … comes into being through violence done to the Other.” | Drawing on Spivak’s critique of Jane Eyre, this points out how the formation of the Western feminist subject often relies on the suppression or dehumanization of colonial Others, such as Bertha Mason in Brontë’s novel. |
| “The Subaltern Studies approach … shifts the crucial social divide from that between colonial and anticolonial to that between ‘elite’ and ‘subaltern.’” | This reflects the importance of the Subaltern Studies framework in postcolonial feminist thought, which moves beyond colonial binaries to examine internal hierarchies of power within postcolonial societies. |
| “Women in these locations are simultaneously participants in and hostages to nationalist projects.” | George critiques the dual role of women in nationalist movements, where they are celebrated symbolically but marginalized materially in terms of rights and opportunities. |
| “Postcolonial feminist criticism … insists on reading against the grain of formulaic analyses of third world literature.” | This underlines the method of postcolonial feminist critique: resisting reductive or essentialist interpretations of third world texts as mere sociological documents and instead emphasizing their nuanced literary and cultural significance. |
| “Mohanty’s concern is that … West-oriented feminism constructs a singular and generic ‘third world woman’ as the object of study.” | George references Mohanty’s critique of Western feminist scholarship, which often homogenizes and victimizes women from the Global South, ignoring their agency and diverse experiences. |
| “The challenge for postcolonial feminist scholarship … is to look beyond this location and engage with literary texts and literary criticism produced elsewhere.” | This calls for an expansion of postcolonial feminist critique to encompass more diverse geographic and cultural contexts, moving beyond its initial Indian-centric focus while addressing the global dynamics of power and knowledge production. |
Suggested Readings: “Feminists Theorize Colonial/Postcolonial” by Rosemary Marangoly George
- Wiegman, Robyn. “What Ails Feminist Criticism? A Second Opinion.” Critical Inquiry, vol. 25, no. 2, 1999, pp. 362–79. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/1344208. Accessed 12 Jan. 2025.
- Schindler, Melissa. “Home, or the Limits of the Black Atlantic.” Research in African Literatures, vol. 45, no. 3, 2014, pp. 72–90. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2979/reseafrilite.45.3.72. Accessed 12 Jan. 2025.
- Baker, William, and Kenneth Womack. “Recent Work in Critical Theory.” Style, vol. 30, no. 4, 1996, pp. 584–692. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/42946355. Accessed 12 Jan. 2025.