Postcolonial Theory
and Literature
By Brad Pitt
Postcolonial Theory
• Literature of colonized countries Focuses on the reading and
writing of literature written in previously or currently
colonized countries. The literature is composed of colonizing
countries that deals with colonization or colonized peoples.
• The Postcolonial theory A term that refers the theoretical and
critical observations of former colonies of the Western powers
and how they relate to, and interact with, the rest of the
world.
• Most interested in the cultures of the colonizer and the
colonized Postcolonial theory seeks to critically investigate
what happens when two cultures clash and one of them
ideologically fashions itself as superior and assumes
dominance and control over the other.
The 3 Pillars of Postcolonial Theory
1.
Edward W. Said explain who and what
he did
2.
Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak explain
who and what he did
3.
Homi K. Bhabha explain who and what
he did
Examples of places experiencing
issues with postcolonialism
• Latin America explain why each is an
example
• Africa
• East and Southeast Asia
• South Asia
• India
• Polynesia
• United States
Erebor Video
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YDgaMGEmMA
The Hobbit and Postcolonialism –
Smaug’s take over of Erebor
• deals with cultural identity in colonized societies using these key
points the presenter will explain how The Hobbit is connected to
postcolonialism
• Who are they now?
• NOT a reference solely to time, as in after colonization or after
‘independence’ from colonists
• Deals with the legacy of colonial rule through literature (and other
forms of expression)
The Hobbit and Postcolonialism – The
Halls of Moria (Dwarfs and Goblins)
• deals with cultural identity in colonized societies using these key
points the presenter will explain how The Hobbit is connected to
postcolonialism
• Who are they now?
• NOT a reference solely to time, as in after colonization or after
‘independence’ from colonists
• Deals with the legacy of colonial rule through literature (and other
forms of expression)
Work Cited
Anderson, Gary L. and Kathryn G. Herr, eds. Postcolonial Theory, Encyclopedia of Activism
and Social Justice. Vol. 3. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Reference, 2007. p1149-1151.
Jullingen. “The Hobbit – Misty Mountain." Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 22 July
2015. Web. 10 Aug. 2015.
“Postcolonialism." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 22 July
2015. Web. 10 Aug. 2015.