Defining Imperialism and Colonialism

Defining Imperialism and Colonialism

• By 1914, Europe held 85% of the earth as colonies, protectorates, etc.
• Imperialism: territorial expansion from a center outwards, driven by ideology, and resulting in a geographical entity. Unified territory, expanding. Ex. Roman Empire.
• Colonialism: less homogeneous than imperialism. Developed without a plan or ideology. Commercial/economic motives.

Types: Settler (emigrants take the land and dominate economically and politically, Canada, Australia- 98% of pop), and Administered (goal is economic exploitation, also dominate economically and p but not settle- officials to control, Congo)

• England was a colonial power from the 17C to the last quarter of the 19C.
• Late 19C, Britain’s colonizing impulse transformed into an imperial. (attempt to civilize them – education, missionary work, infrastructure improvements, political, social reforms)
• Americans see themselves as bringing the light of civilization and benefits of democracy.
• Since WWII, US has strengthened his leadership role in the world.
• English language extended its international reach, by US influence and other English-speaking countries.
• Imperialism includes cultural and economic forces that impinge on the lives of those who believe their own language, cultural institutions and values are threatened or controlled by the Western (European & US)

The Colonial and Postcolonial Short Story

• Colonial: stories written by British authors who witnessed their nation’s empire as colonists. Even if agreed or opposed.
• Post-Colonial: authors who encountered colonialism as its subjects or inheritors of its legacy. During the struggles for independence or afterward.

Short story:

• Oldest: brief narratives, oral literary.
• Newest: developed in the early 19C. Started bc of popularity of magazines.

Several authors claim to have invented it:

• France: Prosper Merimee
• Germany: E.T.A. Hoffman
• Scotland: Walter Scott
• US: Washington Irving or Edgar Allan Poe
• International

In Britain it was developed quite late, Kipling and Stevenson, wrote in 1880’s. Their idea differed from their counterparts. They were long.

Reason for compiling: reasonable size volume, pedagogical, the narrative most of us are familiar with.

Called the most poetic of fictional forms bc every details counts.

Fictional techniques: narrative line/plot, characterization point of view, setting, atmosphere, etc.

Postcolonial Theory: A Primer

• English & British Literature: literature written in English but aren’t from England
• World Literature in English: anything in English. Called Commonwealth Literature.
• Post-Colonial: after colonialism
• Postcolonial: literature and theory

Impact of colonialism:

• Religion and culture
• Race and gender
• Barbaric, inferior.

Edward Said:

• Palestinian scholar
• Orientalism: argues that Western societies constructed their knowledge of the Orient in a way that justified colonialism.
• Culture and Imperialism: western fictional depictions. Trating one set of people, ideas, values or institutions as superior to another. They perpetuate/reinforce racist and imperialists ideas. Dark side of the empire.
• Said ignores that within imperialist countries there were writers, politicians who opposed. Ex. English Prime Minister.
• Overlooks the way colonized people reacted against their conquerors.
• Write Back: writers from previously colonized countries are reshaping the English language to express new cultural realities and identities. (creolized) Advocating resistance to colonial power, using folk, emphasizing their indigenous traditions.

New Forms of Colonialism:

Independence did not always produce good government or economic prosperity.

Problems of the Nation State:

• Colonialism drew national boundaries arbitrarily.
• Different ethnic population who had history of opposition or hostility.
• Religious differences.
• Civil wars, border dispute.

Cultural Imperialism: poured new ideas, values, products, lifestyles and practices into non-western countries.