Monoculturalism in Literature & Literary Theory

Monoculturalism: Etymology/Term, Meanings and Concept

Etymology/Term:

The term “monoculturalism” is derived from the combination of “mono,” meaning single or one, and “culture,” referring to the shared beliefs, customs, and practices of a particular group. The concept encompasses the idea of promoting or valuing a single cultural identity within a given society or community.

Meanings and Concept:

• Cultural Homogeneity: Monoculturalism emphasizes a preference for cultural uniformity, advocating for a dominant and singular cultural identity within a population.
• Resistance to Diversity: It often involves a resistance to cultural diversity or a reluctance to incorporate and embrace various cultural elements within a society.
• Cultural Dominance: Monoculturalism can lead to the dominance of a particular culture, marginalizing or suppressing other cultural expressions, practices, or languages.
• National Identity: In some contexts, monoculturalism may be associated with a strong emphasis on a singular national identity, excluding or devaluing the contributions of minority cultures.
• Social Cohesion vs. Fragmentation: Proponents argue that monoculturalism can contribute to social cohesion and a sense of shared identity, while critics suggest that it may lead to social fragmentation and exclusion of diverse perspectives.
• Controversies and Challenges: The concept of monoculturalism is often debated, with critics pointing out potential drawbacks such as cultural insensitivity, lack of inclusivity, and inhibiting the benefits of cultural diversity.

Monoculturalism: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Monoculturalism refers to a theoretical concept that advocates for the dominance or preference of a single cultural identity within a given society. It involves the promotion of cultural homogeneity, often resisting diversity and favoring a uniform cultural framework. The term is associated with the idea of emphasizing a singular national or cultural identity while potentially marginalizing other cultural expressions within the same community.

Monoculturalism: Theorists, Works, and Argument

Theorist	Works	Argument
Xenophanes	Fragments and Testimonia	Xenophanes, an ancient Greek philosopher, expressed early ideas of monoculturalism by criticizing diverse representations of gods and advocating for a singular, unchanging divine concept.
Herder	Ideas for a Philosophy of the History of Mankind	Herder argued for cultural uniqueness and stressed the importance of preserving distinct cultural identities, contributing to the development of nationalist and monoculturalist ideas.
Renan	What is a Nation?	Renan’s work explores the concept of the nation, emphasizing the importance of a shared history and cultural homogeneity for national cohesion, laying the groundwork for monoculturalist perspectives.
Huntington	The Clash of Civilizations	Huntington’s thesis posits that future global conflicts will be based on cultural differences, highlighting the clash between distinct civilizations and supporting the idea of monoculturalism for societal stability.

Monoculturalism: Major Characteristics

• Cultural Uniformity:
  • Example: George Orwell’s “1984” presents a dystopian society where a monolithic culture is enforced by a totalitarian regime, erasing individualistic expressions and diversity.
• Resistance to Diversity:
  • Example: In Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World,” a society prioritizes stability and conformity, suppressing individuality and cultural diversity to maintain control.
• Cultural Dominance:
  • Example: Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart” explores the clash between traditional Igbo culture and the encroachment of Western influences, highlighting the consequences of cultural dominance.
• National Identity:
  • Example: Jhumpa Lahiri’s “The Namesake” examines the challenges faced by an immigrant family in the United States as they navigate the tension between preserving their cultural identity and assimilating into a new national identity.
• Social Cohesion vs. Fragmentation:
  • Example: Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” depicts a society that sacrifices intellectual diversity and critical thinking for the sake of social conformity, leading to a fragmented and oppressive culture.
• Controversies and Challenges:
  • Example: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “Half of a Yellow Sun” delves into the complexities of cultural identity in post-colonial Nigeria, highlighting the challenges and controversies that arise when diverse cultures converge and clash.

Monoculturalism: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance to Monoculturalism
Cultural Studies	Monoculturalism is pertinent in cultural studies, where scholars analyze how literature reflects and perpetuates dominant cultural norms, often reinforcing monoculturalist ideologies.
Postcolonial Theory	Postcolonial theorists explore how monoculturalism can be a legacy of colonialism, influencing the representation of cultures and the dynamics between colonizer and colonized in literature.
Nationalism in Literature	The study of nationalism in literature examines how literary works contribute to the construction of national identity, exploring instances where monoculturalism is either celebrated or critiqued as a tool for nation-building.
Identity Politics	Monoculturalism is relevant in identity politics within literary theories, as it sheds light on how literature engages with issues of cultural, ethnic, or national identity, either reinforcing monoculturalist perspectives or challenging them.
Dystopian Literature	Dystopian literature often incorporates monoculturalist themes to explore the consequences of a society that suppresses diversity, illustrating the potential dangers and pitfalls of extreme cultural homogeneity.
Globalization in Literature	Literary works addressing globalization may depict tensions between monoculturalism and cultural diversity, reflecting the impact of global forces on local cultures and identities.

Monoculturalism: Application in Critiques

1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:
   • Application of Monoculturalism Critique: The novel, set in the 1920s, critiques the excesses and moral decay of the Jazz Age, portraying a monocultural elite in East Egg that is detached from the social realities of the time. The focus on opulence and exclusivity within this social class reflects a monoculturalist perspective that isolates itself from broader societal issues.
2. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad:
   • Application of Monoculturalism Critique: Conrad’s work, often critiqued through a postcolonial lens, explores the darkness within European imperialism. The portrayal of African cultures in the novel raises concerns about monoculturalism, as it highlights the dehumanizing effects of imposing a singular Western perspective and the disregard for the diversity of African societies.
3. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley:
   • Application of Monoculturalism Critique: Huxley’s dystopian vision critiques a future society that prioritizes stability and happiness at the expense of individuality and cultural diversity. The uniformity imposed by the World State reflects a monoculturalist approach, suppressing unique expressions and creating a sterile and controlled environment.
4. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe:
   • Application of Monoculturalism Critique: Achebe’s novel critiques the impact of colonialism on traditional Igbo society. The intrusion of Western culture and the imposition of European values illustrate the clash between monoculturalism and cultural diversity. The narrative explores the consequences of monocultural dominance on indigenous ways of life.

In these critiques, the lens of monoculturalism allows for an examination of how literature reflects and challenges prevailing cultural norms, highlighting the consequences of cultural uniformity and the suppression of diversity within the contexts presented in the respective works.

Monoculturalism: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Cultural Uniformity	The promotion of a singular cultural identity within a society, emphasizing sameness and shared values.
Cultural Hegemony	The dominance of one cultural group’s beliefs and values, influencing and shaping the broader societal norms.
Cultural Homogeneity	The state of having a common cultural identity, often associated with a lack of diversity within a population.
Nationalism	A political ideology that emphasizes the importance of a unified national identity and cultural cohesion.
Assimilation	The process of adopting and integrating the cultural traits of a dominant group, often at the expense of one’s original culture.
Ethnocentrism	The tendency to evaluate other cultures based on one’s own cultural norms, often leading to a biased perspective.
Cultural Pluralism	The coexistence of diverse cultural groups within a society, promoting mutual respect and appreciation.
Identity Politics	The political and social movements that focus on the rights and interests of specific cultural or identity groups.
Cultural Relativism	The perspective that cultural beliefs and practices should be understood within the context of their own cultural framework, without imposing external judgments.
Postcolonialism	An intellectual and literary movement that examines the cultural, social, and political legacies of colonialism.

Monoculturalism: Suggested Readings

1. Achebe, Chinua. Things Fall Apart. Anchor Books, 1994.
2. Adichie, Chimamanda Ngozi. Half of a Yellow Sun. Anchor Books, 2007.
3. Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. Simon & Schuster, 2012.
4. Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Scribner, 2004.
5. Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2006.
6. Huntington, Samuel P. The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order. Simon & Schuster, 1996.
7. Lahiri, Jhumpa. The Namesake. Mariner Books, 2004.
8. Orwell, George. 1984. Signet Classic, 1950.
9. Renan, Ernest. “What is a Nation?” In Nation and Narration, edited by Homi K. Bhabha, Routledge, 1990, pp. 8-22.
10. Xenophanes. Fragments and Testimonia. University of Toronto Press, 1992.