Imperialism in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Imperialism

The term “imperialism” has its origins in the Latin word “imperium,” which means “supreme authority” or “command.” It specifically denotes the extension of a nation’s power and influence.

In the 19th century, during the era of European colonialism, it gained prominence as European powers expanded their dominion overseas. With the passage of time, it has come to signify various forms of political and cultural control by dominant nations over less powerful ones.

Meanings of Imperialism

Aspect of Imperialism	Definition in Literary Context
Political Dominance	In literature, the extension of one nation’s political control over another, often explored through themes of colonization and annexation.
Economic Expansion	Denotes the economic control of dominant nations over others, with a focus on resource exploitation, labor, and market influence in literary analysis.
Cultural Hegemony	Refers to the imposition of dominant culture or nation’s values, norms, and beliefs on others, examined in literature for its impact on cultures and identities.
Narrative Imperialism	The dominance of specific storytelling traditions, styles, or voices in literature, often seen as the imposition of particular narrative perspectives or structures.
Metaphorical and Symbolic Imperialism	The use of imperialism as a metaphor or symbol to explore themes of power, control, and influence in various literary contexts.
Literary Imperialism	Describes the influence of one dominant literary tradition or canon on others, which may lead to the marginalization of indigenous or less-recognized literatures.

Definition of Imperialism as a Theoretical Term

Imperialism, as a theoretical term, refers to a geopolitical ideology or practice in which a dominant nation or state seeks to extend its influence, control, or authority over other regions, often through political, economic, or cultural means.

This concept is central to the analysis of power dynamics, global politics, and historical relationships between dominant and subordinate entities. Imperialism manifests itself in various forms, including territorial expansion, resource exploitation, cultural assimilation, and the imposition of ideologies.

Theorists, Works and Arguments

Key Theorists and Their Works:

• J.A. Hobson:
  • Imperialism: A Study
  • Key Argument: Hobson argued that economic interests, particularly benefiting financial elites drove this movement. He believed that it served as a means to secure profits and investments abroad.
• Vladimir Lenin:
  • Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism
  • Key Argument: Lenin expanded on Hobson’s ideas and viewed it as an advanced stage of capitalism. He emphasized the export of capital, the dominance of monopolies, and the intensification of class conflicts as central features of imperialism.
• Edward Said:
  • Orientalism
  • Key Argument: Said’s work on post-colonialism and Orientalism explored how it was not only a physical occupation but also a form of cultural domination. He examined how the West constructed and misrepresented the East in literature and discourse.
• Frantz Fanon:
  • The Wretched of the Earth
  • Key Argument: Fanon’s work focused on the psychological and social impact of imperialism on colonized peoples. He argued that colonialism led to the dehumanization and alienation of the colonized, advocating for anti-colonial resistance.
• Hannah Arendt:
  • The Origins of Totalitarianism
  • Key Argument: Arendt’s analysis of imperialism and totalitarianism explored how imperialism could lead to oppressive regimes. She highlighted the consequences of statelessness and the loss of rights.

Key Arguments:

• Economic Motivations: Many theorists, including Hobson and Lenin, emphasized economic interests as a driving force behind imperialism. This includes resource extraction, market control, and profit generation.
• Political and Strategic Competition: Imperialism often involves geopolitical rivalries among powerful nations seeking to expand their influence and secure strategic advantages. This competition can lead to conflicts and wars.
• Cultural and Ideological Justifications: Imperialism is sometimes justified through cultural and ideological narratives. It portrays the dominant nation as bringing civilization, progress, or enlightenment to less-developed regions, as analyzed by Said and others.
• Psychological and Social Impact: The works of Fanon and others highlight the psychological and social consequences of imperialism, including the dehumanization, alienation, and resistance of colonized populations.

These key theorists, their works, and arguments contribute to a comprehensive understanding as a complex and multifaceted phenomenon encompassing economic, political, cultural, and psychological dimensions.

Imperialism and Literary Theories

Theory	Relevance
Marxist Literary Theory	It is analyzed through a Marxist lens to explore how economic interests, class struggles, and exploitation are depicted in literature. This perspective emphasizes the role of imperialism in perpetuating capitalist structures and inequality.
Postcolonial Literary Theory	Postcolonial theory directly engages with its legacy, focusing on the impact of colonialism on colonized peoples, cultures, and literature. It examines themes of identity, resistance, and cultural hybridity in postcolonial texts.
Feminist Literary Theory	Feminist theory intersects it by examining the gendered aspects of colonialism and how women’s experiences under imperialism are depicted in literature. It explores issues of power, agency, and representation.
Cultural Studies and Cultural Imperialism	Cultural studies explore the effects of cultural imperialism, including the dominance of one culture over others. It analyzes how literature and media contribute to cultural hegemony and how marginalized voices are silenced.
Postmodernism and Deconstruction	Postmodern and deconstructive approaches to literature challenge traditional narratives and discourses, including those shaped by imperialism. They deconstruct power dynamics and question authoritative narratives.
Critical Race Theory	Critical race theory examines how it interacts with racism. It analyzes how racial hierarchies are reinforced and resisted in literature, shedding light on the racial dimensions of imperialism.
Psychoanalytic Literary Theory	Psychoanalytic theory applies to characters in literature who grapple with the psychological effects of imperialism, such as identity conflicts, trauma, and alienation.
Ecocriticism	Ecocriticism explores the environmental impacts of imperialism, such as resource exploitation and ecological degradation, as represented in literature. It considers how literature reflects ecological concerns related to imperialism.

Imperialism in Literary Criticism

1. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad:
   • Critique: Conrad’s Heart of Darkness provides a powerful critique of European imperialism in Africa. Through the journey of the protagonist, Marlow, into the Congo, Conrad exposes the brutality and moral decay that often accompanied imperialistic endeavors. The novel delves into the psychological impact of both the colonizers and the colonized, revealing the darkness within the hearts of those involved in the imperial project.
2. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe:
   • Critique: Achebe’s novel offers a postcolonial critique of it by focusing on the Igbo society in Nigeria before and during British colonial rule. Through the character of Okonkwo, Achebe portrays the devastating effects of cultural clash, the erosion of indigenous traditions, and the loss of identity that came with colonialism. It challenges the Eurocentric narratives of African primitivism prevalent during the imperial era.
3. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez:
   • Critique: Márquez’s masterpiece critiques both foreign imperialism and neocolonialism in Latin America. The fictional town of Macondo represents a microcosm of the region’s history, where foreign powers exploit resources, manipulate politics, and influence social dynamics. Márquez’s magical realism serves as a narrative tool to unveil the surreal and absurd consequences of imperialism on the people and the land.
4. Burmese Days by George Orwell:
   • Critique: Orwell’s novel is a critical examination of British imperialism in Burma. Through the character of John Flory, an Englishman living in colonial Burma, Orwell exposes the inherent racism, corruption, and moral decay of the colonial system. The novel challenges the romanticized notions of empire prevalent during the time and highlights the tension between imperialists and the colonized.

Suggested Readings

1. Conrad, Joseph. Heart of Darkness. Penguin Classics, 1995.
2. Fanon, Frantz. The Wretched of the Earth. Grove Press, 2005.
3. Lenin, Vladimir I. Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism. Verso, 2017.
4. Said, Edward W. Orientalism. Vintage Books, 1979.
5. Spivak, Gayatri Chakravorty. A Critique of Postcolonial Reason: Toward a History of the Vanishing Present. Harvard University Press, 1999.
6. Stoler, Ann Laura. Carnal Knowledge and Imperial Power: Race and the Intimate in Colonial Rule. University of California Press, 2002.
7. Todorov, Tzvetan. The Conquest of America: The Question of the Other. University of Oklahoma Press, 1999.
8. Zizek, Slavoj. Living in the End Times. Verso, 2011.