Nationalism and the Postcolonial: from Edward Said’s Orientalism to Graham Huggan’s Postcolonial Exotic

Jarosław Kujath

doi:10.26417/ejis.v5i2.p92-94

Abstract

As interest in the field of postcolonial studies has grown in recent decades, the theoretical issues with which it is concerned have been applied to an increasing number of areas. As a branch of literary theory, it has provided one of the most important critical platforms for modern theorists and writers who attempt to address issues of cultural identity. However, the analytical potential of postcolonial theory has not gone unnoticed in other academic disciplines. In particular, research into global economics and politics has recognised its relevance to an understanding of the balance of world order and its political dynamics. As was earlier suggested, historians have also demonstrated an increased interest in the area of postcolonialism, particularly in terms of the challenge that it offers to received models of history.Therefore, the aim of this paper is to examine the path along which postcolonial studies has travelled to recognise the differences between what used to be pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial, as Ashcroft et al would name it. The paper will discuss the main issues as postulated by the proponents of postcolonialism starting from Edward Said and finishing off with Graham Huggan. Particular attention will be paid to the notion of nationalism and how it provided the fuel to the subaltern (Spivak’s term) to make the colonial the post-colonial, that is, how to construct a new (national) identity in the former colonised.Key terms: postcolonial, nationalism, Edward Said, Graham Huggan

Highlights

Key terms: postcolonial, nationalism, Edward Said, Graham Huggan. In spite of such an increased interest in the general area of postcolonial studies, fears have been raised over the danger of placing such issues under the microscope of academic institutions
The fact that many such institutions are based in countries, which were once colonial powers, such as Britain, has raised suspicions that postcolonial study is little more than a form of cultural imperialism itself
It needs to be added that research often takes as its focus only the work of those writers who choose to work in English

Summary

Introduction

In spite of such an increased interest in the general area of postcolonial studies, fears have been raised over the danger of placing such issues under the microscope of academic institutions. The fact that many such institutions are based in countries, which were once colonial powers, such as Britain, has raised suspicions that postcolonial study is little more than a form of cultural imperialism itself.

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Conclusion