Etymology of Othering
The term “othering” has its origins in post-colonial and critical theory discourse, and it refers to a complex process of constructing and emphasizing differences between one’s own group or identity and those who are perceived as different or foreign.
The concept emerged in response to the inherent power dynamics, prejudices, and discriminatory practices that colonialism and imperialism engendered. In academic discourse, “othering” is often used to analyze and critique the processes by which dominant groups define, devalue, and marginalize individuals or groups that are perceived as outsiders or different.
This term has evolved to encompass a wide range of contexts beyond colonialism, including issues related to race, ethnicity, gender, religion, and social identity, where it is applied to understanding and challenging various forms of social exclusion and discrimination.
Meanings of Othering
| Aspect | Meaning |
| Social Exclusion | Othering involves the social process of excluding individuals or groups based on perceived differences, which may be related to race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, or other markers of identity. |
| Devaluation and Stigmatization | It includes devaluing and stigmatizing those who are “othered,” often resulting in negative stereotypes and prejudices. |
| Power Imbalance | Othering is rooted in a power imbalance, where the dominant group defines and marginalizes the “other” as inferior or deviant. |
| Construction of In-Groups and Out-Groups | It involves the construction of in-groups (those who belong) and out-groups (those who are excluded), reinforcing a sense of “us” versus “them.” |
| Cultural and Societal Hierarchies | Othering perpetuates cultural and societal hierarchies, where the dominant group maintains its privileged position by subordinating the “other.” |
| Colonial and Imperial Legacy | Historically, othering has been closely associated with colonialism and imperialism, where the colonizers viewed the colonized as exotic, primitive, or inferior. |
| Identity and Difference | Othering highlights the role of identity and difference in shaping social dynamics and relationships. |
| Intersectionality | It is often interconnected with other forms of discrimination, such as racism, sexism, and xenophobia, and operates at the intersections of these categories. |
| Social and Political Consequences | Othering can lead to a range of social and political consequences, including discrimination, prejudice, and exclusion, and may also be a precursor to more severe forms of oppression and violence. |
Definition of Othering as a Theoretical Term
“Othering” as a theoretical term refers to the social and cognitive process through which individuals or groups are categorized as different or alien based on perceived distinctions, often rooted in attributes such as race, ethnicity, religion, or nationality.
This concept emphasizes the power dynamics at play, where a dominant group asserts its superiority over the “other,” leading to marginalization and social exclusion.
Othering highlights how the construction of in-groups and out-groups reinforces a sense of “us” versus “them” and perpetuates cultural hierarchies, often with significant social and political consequences.
Othering: Theorists, Works and Arguments
| Theorists and Works | Arguments |
| Edward Said | – Work: Orientalism (1978). – Argument: Said’s work focuses on how Western scholars and writers have historically portrayed and misrepresented the East, particularly the Middle East, through a Eurocentric lens. He argues that these representations have contributed to the process of othering by reinforcing stereotypes, prejudices, and power imbalances. |
| Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak | – Work: Can the Subaltern Speak? (1988). – Argument: Spivak discusses the complexities of representing and understanding marginalized and colonized voices. She highlights the power dynamics involved in silencing and othering subaltern groups, particularly women in post-colonial contexts. |
| Frantz Fanon | – Work: The Wretched of the Earth (1961). – Argument: Fanon’s work examines the psychological and social effects of colonialism on the colonized. He argues that the colonizers engage in othering by dehumanizing and oppressing the colonized, leading to feelings of alienation and resistance. |
| Homi K. Bhabha | – Work: The Location of Culture (1994). – Argument: Bhabha’s work introduces the concept of “hybridity” and “mimicry” in post-colonial contexts. He explores how colonial powers and colonized individuals negotiate their identities and how othering can be subverted through these negotiations. |
| Sara Ahmed | – Work: Strange Encounters: Embodied Others in Post-Coloniality (2000). – Argument: Ahmed’s work delves into how bodies and physical appearances play a crucial role in the process of othering. She examines how individuals are marked as “different” based on their bodies and how these markers lead to exclusion and discrimination. |
Othering and Literary Theories
- Post-Colonial Theory: Post-colonial literary theory extensively explores the impact of colonialism and imperialism on colonized peoples. It focuses on how colonial literature often othered the colonized, portraying them as exotic or inferior. Writers like Edward Said and Frantz Fanon have made significant contributions to this field.
- Feminist Theory: In the realm of feminist theory, “othering” is relevant in analyzing how women and gender identities have been marginalized or excluded in literature. Feminist literary theorists examine how narratives may other women and reinforce gender stereotypes.
- Queer Theory: Queer theory delves into the representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in literature. It addresses how literature has historically othered queer characters and how this has shaped societal perceptions of gender and sexual minorities.
- Race and Ethnicity Studies: The study of race and ethnicity in literature explores how certain racial and ethnic groups have been othered, subjected to stereotypes, and marginalized. It’s especially relevant in the context of African American literature, Native American literature, and works addressing racial identity and discrimination.
- Intersectionality: The concept of intersectionality, which considers how different forms of identity intersect and influence one another, is important in examining how individuals are othered based on multiple aspects of their identity (e.g., race, gender, and sexuality).
- Narrative and Discourse Analysis: Literary theorists often employ narrative and discourse analysis to dissect how othering is woven into the fabric of stories. This analysis can reveal how characters or groups are constructed as “the other” and how power dynamics operate within narratives.
- Critical Race Theory: Critical race theory examines how racial hierarchies are reinforced through literature and how authors may inadvertently or intentionally contribute to the othering of specific racial groups.
- Postmodernism: Postmodern literary theories challenge grand narratives and meta-narratives, revealing how these narratives often exclude or marginalize certain perspectives or identities. This can be linked to the concept of othering.
Othering in Literary Criticism
| Work | Critique |
| Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad | In “Heart of Darkness,” othering is prominent in the portrayal of African characters. The novel presents them as exotic, primitive, and inferior to the European characters, particularly the protagonist, Marlow. Literary criticism of the novel often examines how Conrad’s writing contributes to the othering of Africans, reinforcing colonial stereotypes. |
| The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald | In this classic novel, the concept of othering is evident in the distinction between the “old money” and “new money” characters. The characters from “old money” backgrounds are often portrayed as culturally superior and established, while the “new money” characters, like Gatsby, are marginalized and viewed as outsiders. Literary analysis explores how this othering reflects social class dynamics in 1920s America. |
| To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee | To Kill a Mockingbird addresses othering through the lens of racial discrimination. The novel focuses on the othering of African Americans in the racially segregated South during the 1930s. Literary criticism of the novel delves into how the characters, especially Tom Robinson, are othered based on their race and the consequences of this othering. |
| The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood | In Atwood’s dystopian novel, othering is a central theme, particularly in the treatment of women. Women in Gilead are othered and subjugated based on their gender, subjected to strict societal roles and restrictions. Literary analysis of the novel explores how gender-based othering is used to control and oppress women in the dystopian society. |
Suggested Readings
- Said, Edward. Orientalism. Vintage Books, 1979.
- Spivak, Gayatri Chakravorty. Can the Subaltern Speak? In Marxism and the Interpretation of Culture, edited by Cary Nelson and Lawrence Grossberg, University of Illinois Press, 1988.
- Fanon, Frantz. The Wretched of the Earth. Grove Press, 1963.
- Bhabha, Homi K. The Location of Culture. Routledge, 1994.
- Ahmed, Sara. Strange Encounters: Embodied Others in Post-Coloniality. Routledge, 2000.
- Morrison, Toni. Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and the Literary Imagination. Harvard University Press, 1992.
- Spillers, Hortense J. “Mama’s Baby, Papa’s Maybe: An American Grammar Book.” Diacritics, vol. 17, no. 2, 1987, pp. 64-81.
- hooks, bell. Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism. South End Press, 1981.
- Derrida, Jacques. Of Grammatology. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1997.
- Anzaldúa, Gloria. Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza. Aunt Lute Books, 1987.