Chloe M Wing Dissertation: Postcolonial Studies and Representation

This dissertation examines postcolonial studies, focusing on the lasting impact of colonialism and the power dynamics between colonizers and the colonized. It explores the contributions of key theorists like Edward Said and his concept of Orientalism. The research delves into the concept of 'the other' as presented in postcolonial literature, analyzing how textual representations reflect and shape perceptions of different cultures and identities. The study aims to understand the historical context of colonial rule and its influence on contemporary society, with a particular emphasis on the relationship between the West (Occident) and the East (Orient). This analysis seeks to uncover the ways in which postcolonial texts portray the interactions between colonizers and the colonized, highlighting the impact on the mindset of people in the modern world.

Introduction
The period of colonization has had a significant impact on the development of the human
society. This is due to the fact that the advanced and the technologically nation states of the
world tried to impose their rule over the weaker and vulnerable countries of the globe. It was
mainly the co8ntries of the European continent who were desirous of expanding their control
which would lead to their territorial expansion and building up of their natural resources
capacity. The main idea of colonialism was that of gaining more power and authority. In this
regard, it can be noticed that the effects of the period of colonialism is long lasting and can be
felt even after the end of the era. The nature of the countries of the contemporary period can be
understood from the analysis of this period of colonialism. For instance, the European countries
and the Western states such as that of the United States of America gained more power and
resources as a result of their colonial tendency. In this period they could exploit the resources of
all those native places over whom they exerted control and influence. Furthermore, they also
gained the invaluable human labor who had worked for the interest of the colonial masters
without receiving any pay or compensation. In fact one of the characteristic features of the
colonial period is that the population of such native places of the world who were ruled over,
were extremely submissive in nature and could not fight back against the imperialist tendencies
of the colonial masters. To justify their rule over the vulnerable states of the world, the colonial
rulers’ gave the explanation of the ‘white man’s burden’. According to this concept, the ‘black’
skin toned people of the native places of the third world countries did not have the ability to rule
over themselves. They lacked the intelligence and the desire for a harmonious society. In this
respect, they were considered to be ‘barbarians’ who mean that they were not capable of forming
a peaceful society. It was the responsibility of the ‘white’ skin tone of the imperial masters to

pass their knowledge and ability to the ‘black’ ethnic community of such colonized people so
that they could rule themselves in an effective manner. After the end of the Second World War,
the era of colonialism came to an end but the element of colonial rule is still prevalent in the
modern world under the garb of post-colonialism. This research paper tries to understand the
different viewpoints of the theorists of theorists who talked about the aspect of post colonialism.
It also discusses about the concept of ‘the other’ as is observed in such post-colonial studies.
Furthermore, it also talks about how this idea is represented in the texts of the students and how
it impacts the mindset of the people of the contemporary world.
Main Theorists of post-colonial studies
One of the main periods in the development of the human civilization is that of the period
of colonialism. This colonial era has had a significant impact on the growth of the human
civilization. The end of the Second World War marked an end to the era of colonialism whereby
all the nation states of the world were given the power and authority to rule over themselves. As
a consequence of this, the different countries of the globe started to rule themselves in an
individual manner. However, a distinction was present among the states with regard to their level
of development. The advanced countries of the European continent and the United States of
America, especially North America, was significantly more developed when compared to the
other nation states of the world, especially the countries of Asia and Africa. The reason for this
was considered to be the era of colonization. Due to the adverse impact of the colonial era, the
development of the Asian countries and the African countries was hampered to a great extent.
In order to ensure their development, it is observed that most of the countries of this
under developed and developing parts of the world, took the aid and support of the advanced
countries of the Western Hemisphere. As a consequence, the Western powers are now trying to

impose their control over the weaker nation states of the world by the way of their economic
power and technological advancement. In trying to understand the contemporary occurring of the
world, various academicians are now trying to analyze and explain the colonial period. They are
interested in the cultural legacy of the colonial era and the impact of such colonial activities on
the concerned countries of the world. This academic interest of the scholars where they are trying
to find a base in the colonial time period in order to explain the behavior of the states in the
modern time period is known as post colonialism. In this respect, it can be observed that post
colonialism discusses the various social and political underpinnings of the colonial times and of
the modern times in order to understand the frame work of the global forum.
The various scholars of post colonialism are of the view that the world and the human
society should be understood from the point of view of the colonized people. In other words, the
opinions of the suppressed people should be taken in to account while formulating the different
policies and regulations for the development and growth of the human society. In this respect,
one of the most renowned post-colonial theorist is Edward Said. Edward Said is the main
advocator of the theory and concept of Orientalism.