Motifs: An International Journal of English Studies
Year : 2016, Volume : 2, Issue : 2
First page : ( 130) Last page : ( 136)
Print ISSN : 2454-1745. Online ISSN : 2454-1753.
Article DOI : 10.5958/2454-1753.2016.00019.2

The Extent to Which Postcolonial Theory Reinscribes the Imperialist Definition of the Colonised as Marginal

Harbour Karys

Graduate from the School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London), London, UK, Email id: karysharbour555@gmail.com

Abstract

This essay aims to give a somewhat balanced view in answer of the question ‘does postcolonial theory reinscribe the imperialist definition of the colonised as marginal?’ First, by defining all the key terms used ‘postcolonial, post-colonial, imperialism and colonial. Not just by giving a clear cut dictionary definition, but also historical and cultural definitions and depictions. This is because it is more affective in understanding the terms or theories used as they can be applied to certain situations. The comparison and contrast between ‘postcolonial and ‘post-colonial’ is also needed in order to distinguish between the two. Post-colonial is referring to the historical use of chronological order of events, lending itself to a fairly rigid definition; whereas postcolonial encapsulates all areas of society, politics and economics, within the time frames of ‘pre-colonialism, the colonial period and ‘after colonialism’. Thus, post-colonial and its historical meaning is used as a noun and postcolonial is used as an adjective.

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Keywords

Postcolonial, Imperialism, Colonialism, Post-colonial.

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