“The World and the Home” by Home K. Bhabha: Summary and Critique

Introduction: “The World and the Home” by Home K. Bhabha

“The World and the Home” by Homi K. Bhabha was first published in 1997 as part of the Dangerous Liaisons: Gender, Nation, and Postcolonial Perspectives collection. This essay holds significant importance in literature and literary theory due to its exploration of the complex relationship between the individual and the larger cultural and historical contexts. Bhabha’s concept of “hybridity” and his analysis of the “unhomely” have had a profound impact on postcolonial studies and cultural theory, challenging traditional notions of identity and belonging.

Summary of “The World and the Home” by Home K. Bhabha

1. Concept of the “Unhomely”:
   Bhabha introduces the term “unhomely” to describe a condition that is neither homeless nor strictly domestic, but rather a state where the boundaries between home and the world blur. He notes, “the unhomely moment creeps upon you stealthily as your own shadow” and suddenly challenges the familiar division between private and public spheres. The unhomely reflects the disorienting experience of cultural displacement and the merging of private and public spaces in postcolonial contexts.
2. Literary Examples of the Unhomely:
   Bhabha discusses how the unhomely is manifested in various literary works, such as Henry James’s The Portrait of a Lady and Toni Morrison’s Beloved. In James’s novel, the protagonist Isabel Archer faces the shrinking and expanding of her world, leading to a profound sense of disorientation. Bhabha observes that “in the stirrings of the unhomely, another world becomes visible,” highlighting how the unhomely moment in literature often uncovers hidden cultural and social tensions.
3. Postcolonial Experience and the Unhomely:
   Bhabha argues that the unhomely is a paradigmatic experience in postcolonial contexts, where individuals and communities grapple with cultural displacement and historical migrations. He uses V.S. Naipaul’s A House for Mr. Biswas to illustrate how the postcolonial novel struggles to contain the anguish of cultural displacement within traditional forms of realism, questioning whether “the novel also [is] a house where the unhomely can live?”
4. Aesthetic Representation of the Unhomely:
   The essay delves into how the unhomely is represented aesthetically, not as a mere symptom of social reification, but as a temporal process that “blasts a specific era out of the homogeneous course of history.” Bhabha draws on Walter Benjamin’s concept of historical materialism to suggest that the unhomely introduces a shock of recognition that disrupts linear historical narratives, forcing a rethinking of social reality.
5. The Role of the Unhomely in World Literature:
   Bhabha explores the potential of world literature to address the unhomely conditions of modernity, particularly through the lens of cultural dissensus and alterity. He suggests that transnational histories of migrants, the colonized, and refugees, which reflect “freak displacements,” may become the new terrains of world literature, focusing on the traumatic and divided experiences that characterize postcolonial identities.
6. Gender and the Unhomely:
   The essay touches on the gendered dimensions of the unhomely, particularly in the works of Toni Morrison and Nadine Gordimer. Bhabha highlights how female characters, such as Morrison’s Sethe and Gordimer’s Aila, embody the complexities of unhomely experiences, where the domestic space becomes a site of both personal and political transformation. He notes that these characters often “inhabit the rim of an ‘in-between’ reality,” reflecting the hybrid and contested nature of their identities.
7. Political and Ethical Implications of the Unhomely:
   Bhabha argues that the unhomely has significant political and ethical implications, particularly in how it challenges the boundaries of private and public life. He contends that the unhomely moment relates personal, psychic history to broader political disjunctions, as seen in the character of Aila in Gordimer’s My Son’s Story. The unhomely thus becomes a way to understand the intersections of identity, history, and politics in postcolonial societies.
8. Literature as a Site of Unhomely Dwelling:
   Bhabha concludes by asserting that literature, through its aesthetic distancing and uncanny representations, serves as a powerful medium for exploring the unhomely. He emphasizes that “in the House of Fiction, there is a stirring of the unspoken, of the unhomely… today,” suggesting that literature continues to engage with and reflect the disorienting and divided experiences of the unhomely in the modern world.

Literary Terms/Concepts in “The World and the Home” by Home K. Bhabha

Term	Definition (in the context of the essay)	Example
Unhomely	A feeling of estrangement from something familiar, a sense of the home becoming strange. It arises from historical displacements, cultural negotiations, and the effects of colonialism.	* Isabel Archer’s feeling of entrapment in her own house in Henry James’s The Portrait of a Lady * The “freak displacements” experienced by characters in Nadine Gordimer’s novels
Postcolonial experience	The experience of people and cultures after colonialism, often marked by displacement, hybridity, and a questioning of traditional identities.	* The lives of Mr. Biswas and Bimala in V.S. Naipaul’s A House for Mr. Biswas and Rabindranath Tagore’s The Home and the World, respectively
Aesthetic Alienation	The process by which the historical event is obscured or distanced through artistic representation, creating a space for reflection and critique.	* The “unspeakable thoughts” and silence surrounding Beloved in Toni Morrison’s Beloved
Transit	A form of temporality open to disjunction and discontinuity, where the process of history engages with the framing and naming of social reality.	* The way Toni Morrison’s novel Beloved uses fragmented narrative to represent the trauma of slavery

Additional Points:

• Bhabha argues that the unhomely can be a productive space for artistic creation and critical reflection on history and social realities.
• He critiques traditional notions of the “house” in literature as a stable space of domesticity and proposes that it can also represent displacement and cultural disruption.
• The essay explores the relationship between literature and history, suggesting that literature can offer insights into the historical experience that are not readily captured by traditional historical narratives.

Contribution of “The World and the Home” by Home K. Bhabha to Literary Theory/Theories

1. Introduction of the “Unhomely” Concept: Homi Bhabha’s concept of the “unhomely” significantly expands the vocabulary of postcolonial literary theory. It challenges the conventional binary between home and the world by highlighting the blurred boundaries and disorientation experienced in postcolonial contexts. The “unhomely” is not simply a state of homelessness but a condition where private and public spheres merge, creating a complex space that reflects the trauma and displacement inherent in postcolonial experiences. This concept has become a key analytical tool in exploring the intersection of personal and political identities in literature.
2. Blurring of Private and Public Spheres: Bhabha’s analysis blurs the lines between the private (domestic) and public (social) spheres, a move that has profound implications for literary theory. By demonstrating how these realms are inextricably linked in postcolonial narratives, Bhabha opens up new ways of understanding how literature engages with historical and social realities. This approach has influenced theories of space and identity, emphasizing the fluidity of cultural and social boundaries in literary texts.
3. Postcolonial Identity and Cultural Hybridity: Bhabha’s work on the “unhomely” contributes to the broader discourse on postcolonial identity and cultural hybridity. He illustrates how postcolonial subjects often occupy an “in-between” space that challenges fixed notions of identity and belonging. This concept of hybridity, which Bhabha had previously developed in works like The Location of Culture, is further elaborated in “The World and the Home,” providing a framework for analyzing how postcolonial literature navigates multiple cultural influences and historical traumas.
4. Aesthetic and Temporal Displacement: Bhabha introduces the idea of aesthetic displacement as a means of engaging with historical trauma. He argues that the unhomely introduces a temporal rupture in the narrative, disrupting linear histories and creating a space for alternative forms of memory and representation. This idea has influenced literary theories that explore how narrative form and structure can reflect and challenge historical realities, particularly in postcolonial and diaspora literature.
5. Critique of Traditional Realism: Through his discussion of novels like V.S. Naipaul’s A House for Mr. Biswas, Bhabha critiques traditional forms of realism that fail to accommodate the complexities of postcolonial experience. He suggests that postcolonial literature often adopts a form of realism that is fractured and unable to fully contain the anguish of cultural displacement. This critique has contributed to a reevaluation of the realist tradition in literary theory, particularly in the context of postcolonial and global literatures.
6. Intersection of Literature and History: Bhabha’s work underscores the importance of considering the intersection between literature and history in literary analysis. He argues that the unhomely moment connects personal, psychic history with broader political disjunctions, thereby challenging the boundaries between fictional and historical narratives. This approach has been influential in the development of new historicism and cultural studies, which emphasize the role of literature in shaping and reflecting historical consciousness.
7. Gendered Dimensions of the Unhomely: Bhabha’s exploration of gender within the framework of the unhomely has enriched feminist literary theory. By analyzing the experiences of female characters like Sethe in Toni Morrison’s Beloved and Aila in Nadine Gordimer’s My Son’s Story, Bhabha highlights how the unhomely can illuminate the gendered aspects of postcolonial identity. His work encourages a more nuanced understanding of how gender intersects with race, culture, and history in the formation of postcolonial identities.
8. Influence on World Literature Studies: Bhabha’s essay contributes to the field of world literature by suggesting that the unhomely conditions of postcolonial societies could serve as a new focus for world literary studies. He advocates for a shift away from national literatures toward an emphasis on transnational histories and cultural dissensus. This perspective has influenced subsequent scholarship in world literature, encouraging a more inclusive and diverse approach to the study of global literary traditions.
9. Ethical and Political Dimensions of Literature: Finally, Bhabha’s work emphasizes the ethical and political responsibilities of literature and literary criticism. He argues that literature has the power to “haunt history’s more public face,” forcing society to confront uncomfortable truths about the past. This has implications for the role of the critic, who must engage with the unspoken and the unrepresented in order to fully understand the social and historical dimensions of literature. This approach has influenced theories of literature as a form of social and political engagement, particularly in the context of postcolonial studies.

Examples of Critiques Through “The World and the Home” by Home K. Bhabha

Literary Work	Critique Through Bhabha’s Concepts
A House for Mr. Biswas by V.S. Naipaul	Bhabha critiques the novel for its inability to fully accommodate the “anguish of cultural displacement” experienced by Mr. Biswas. The novel’s focus on character and individual freedom is not sufficient to capture the complexities of postcolonial identity and belonging.
The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James	Bhabha analyzes the novel’s portrayal of Isabel Archer’s “unhomeliness” and her struggle to find a place in the world. He argues that the novel highlights the tensions between the individual and the larger cultural and historical contexts.
Beloved by Toni Morrison	Bhabha discusses the novel’s exploration of the “unhomely” through the haunting of 124 Bluestone Road. He emphasizes the way the novel uses the aesthetic of the haunted house to represent the trauma of slavery and the ongoing effects of racial violence.
My Son’s Story by Nadine Gordimer	Bhabha analyzes the novel’s portrayal of the “unhomely” experience of characters living in apartheid South Africa. He highlights the way the novel explores the complexities of identity, belonging, and resistance in a context of oppression.

Criticism Against “The World and the Home” by Home K. Bhabha

1. Essentialism and Oversimplification: Some critics argue that Bhabha’s concept of hybridity is overly simplistic and essentializes the experiences of diasporic and postcolonial subjects. They contend that it fails to account for the diversity and complexity of these experiences, often reducing them to a binary opposition between the “home” and the “world.”
2. Neglect of Material Conditions: Critics have also pointed out that Bhabha’s focus on cultural and symbolic dimensions of postcoloniality can sometimes overshadow the material conditions that shape the lives of postcolonial subjects. They argue that economic, political, and social factors play a crucial role in shaping postcolonial experiences and cannot be entirely reduced to cultural negotiations.
3. Eurocentrism: Some critics have argued that Bhabha’s approach to postcolonial studies is still influenced by Eurocentric perspectives. They contend that his focus on the “unhomely” and his emphasis on the experience of the “other” can perpetuate a colonial gaze that objectifies and exoticizes non-Western cultures.
4. Limited Focus on Colonialism: While Bhabha’s essay is influential in postcolonial studies, some critics argue that it is primarily concerned with the aftermath of colonialism and neglects the ongoing effects of colonialism and neocolonialism. They contend that a more comprehensive understanding of postcoloniality requires a focus on the historical and contemporary structures of power that continue to shape the lives of postcolonial subjects.

Suggested Readings: “The World and the Home” by Home K. Bhabha

1. Bhabha, Homi K. The Location of Culture. Routledge, 1994.
2. Bhabha, Homi K. “Of Mimicry and Man: The Ambivalence of Colonial Discourse“. October, vol. 28, 1984, pp. 125-133.
3. Bhabha, Homi K. “The Other Question: Stereotype, Discrimination, and the Discourse of Colonialism“. The Location of Culture, Routledge, 1994, pp. 66-84.
4. Ashcroft, Bill, Gareth Griffiths, and Helen Tiffin, editors. The Post-Colonial Studies Reader. 2nd ed., Routledge, 2006.
5. Morrison, Toni. Beloved. Alfred A. Knopf, 1987.
6. James, Henry. The Portrait of a Lady. Penguin Classics, 2003.
7. Gordimer, Nadine. My Son’s Story. Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1990.
8. Young, Robert J. C. Colonial Desire: Hybridity in Theory, Culture, and Race. Routledge, 1995.
9. Ashcroft, Bill, Gareth Griffiths, and Helen Tiffin. Key Concepts in Post-Colonial Studies. Routledge, 1998.
10. Fanon, Frantz. The Wretched of the Earth. Grove Press, 1963.

Representative Quotations from “The World and the Home” by Home K. Bhabha with Explanation

Quotation	Explanation
“The unhomely moment creeps upon you stealthily as your own shadow…”	This quotation introduces the concept of the “unhomely,” describing it as an unsettling experience where familiar boundaries between home and the world become blurred.
“The unhomely is the shock of recognition of the world-in-the-home, the home-in-the-world.”	Bhabha highlights the unsettling realization that domestic and public spheres are interconnected, reflecting the dislocation felt in postcolonial contexts.
“In the stirrings of the unhomely, another world becomes visible.”	This emphasizes how the unhomely reveals hidden aspects of reality, uncovering the complexities of cultural displacement and historical migration.
“The novel must be a house for free people to live in. Must the novel be a house?”	Bhabha questions traditional literary forms, particularly the novel, in their ability to accommodate unfree or displaced individuals, challenging the genre’s limitations.
“Literature haunts history’s more public face, forcing it to reflect on itself in the displacing, even distorting image of Art.”	Bhabha argues that literature has the power to disrupt and challenge historical narratives, revealing deeper truths through its aesthetic representations.
“Can historical time be thought outside fictional space, or do they lie uncannily beside each other?”	This quotation explores the relationship between history and fiction, suggesting that they are intertwined and that fiction can offer insights into historical realities.
“In this case too, the Unheimlich is what was once heimisch, homelike, familiar; the pre-fix ‘un’ is the token of repression.”	Bhabha refers to Freud’s concept of the uncanny (Unheimlich), explaining how the unhomely is rooted in the familiar but is made strange through repression and displacement.
“This is not a story to pass on.”	Borrowed from Toni Morrison’s Beloved, this phrase underscores the importance of remembering and confronting difficult histories, rather than allowing them to be forgotten.
“Each house marks a deeper historical displacement.”	Bhabha discusses how physical spaces, such as homes, symbolize broader historical and cultural dislocations, particularly in postcolonial contexts.
“The unhomely moment relates the traumatic ambivalences of a personal, psychic history to the wider disjunctions of political existence.”	This highlights the connection between personal experiences of displacement and broader political and social disruptions, central to Bhabha’s concept of the unhomely.