Postcolonial criticism emerged in the 1990s to undermine universalist claims that disregard cultural, social, and regional differences. It argues that white Eurocentric norms should not be privileged. Postcolonial perspectives first aim to reclaim colonized peoples' own pasts beyond what Europeans portrayed. They also seek to erode the colonial ideologies that devalued non-Western cultures. Edward Said's Orientalism was groundbreaking in showing how the East was portrayed as an inferior "other" in Western works, depicted negatively through stereotypes like cruelty or exoticism.

1. Postcolonial CriticismPostcolonial Criticism
From Beginning TheoryFrom Beginning Theory

2. PostcolonialismPostcolonialism
► Emerged in the 1990’sEmerged in the 1990’s
► Undermines universalist claimsUndermines universalist claims
► Universal claims disregard differenceUniversal claims disregard difference
RegionalRegional
NationalNational
CulturalCultural
SocialSocial
► White Eurocentric norms should not be privilegedWhite Eurocentric norms should not be privileged

3. To Achieve Postcolonial PerspectiveTo Achieve Postcolonial Perspective
►First step for the “colonized” is to reclaimFirst step for the “colonized” is to reclaim
their own pasttheir own past
►i.e.. History did not begin with thei.e.. History did not begin with the
EuropeansEuropeans
►Second step is to erode colonialist ideologySecond step is to erode colonialist ideology
that devalued their pastthat devalued their past

4. Orientalism (continued)Orientalism (continued)
►Filled with anonymous masses of peopleFilled with anonymous masses of people
(not individuals)(not individuals)
►Actions determined by instinct (lust, terror,Actions determined by instinct (lust, terror,
fury, etc.) vs. logicfury, etc.) vs. logic
►Their reactions are determined by racialTheir reactions are determined by racial
considerations rather than individualconsiderations rather than individual
circumstancecircumstance

5. Ground Breaking WorkGround Breaking Work
►Edward Said’sEdward Said’s OrientalismOrientalism
►East is seen as “other”; inferior to the WestEast is seen as “other”; inferior to the West
►East is portrayed as projection of negativeEast is portrayed as projection of negative
aspectsaspects
cruelty, sensuality, decadence,cruelty, sensuality, decadence,
laziness, etc.laziness, etc.
►Yet East is also portrayed as exotic,Yet East is also portrayed as exotic,
mystical, seductivemystical, seductive

6. Characteristics ofCharacteristics of
Postcolonial CriticismPostcolonial Criticism
1. An awareness of representation of non-1. An awareness of representation of non-
Europeans as exotic or ‘Other’Europeans as exotic or ‘Other’
2. Concern with language2. Concern with language
Some conclude the colonizer's language isSome conclude the colonizer's language is
permanently tainted, to write in it involvespermanently tainted, to write in it involves
acquiescence in colonial structuresacquiescence in colonial structures

7. Characteristics ofCharacteristics of
Postcolonial CriticismPostcolonial Criticism
(cont.)(cont.)
3. Emphasis on identity as doubled or3. Emphasis on identity as doubled or
unstable (identify with colonizer andunstable (identify with colonizer and
colonized)colonized)
4. Stress on cross cultural interactions4. Stress on cross cultural interactions

8. Stages of Postcolonial CriticismStages of Postcolonial Criticism
►Phase 1: Analyze white representation ofPhase 1: Analyze white representation of
colonial countries…uncover biascolonial countries…uncover bias
►Phase 2: Postcolonial writers explorePhase 2: Postcolonial writers explore
selves and societyselves and society
(The empire writes back)(The empire writes back)

9. What Postcolonial Critics DoWhat Postcolonial Critics Do
► Reject claims of universalismReject claims of universalism
► Examine representation of other culturesExamine representation of other cultures
► Show how literature is silent on matters ofShow how literature is silent on matters of
imperialism and colonialismimperialism and colonialism
► Foreground questions of diversity and culturalForeground questions of diversity and cultural
differencedifference
► Celebrate ‘cultural polyvancy’ (belonging to moreCelebrate ‘cultural polyvancy’ (belonging to more
than one culture)than one culture)
► Assert that marginality, plurality and ‘Otherness’Assert that marginality, plurality and ‘Otherness’
are sources of energy and potential changeare sources of energy and potential change

10. The Berlin Conference 1884-The Berlin Conference 1884-
18851885