We are told about the world before we see it. We imagine most things before we experience them. And those preconceptions, unless education has made us acutely aware, govern deeply the whole process of perception (Lippmann: 90).
In defining the nature of stereotypes Walter Lippmann in 1922 explained one of the governing principles of human perception and human relationships. Although his theory on Public Opinion did not exclusively allude to the relationship between coloniser and colonised, his work laid the foundation of the historical, cultural and literary investigation and understanding of the mechanisms of colonial control through the power of stereotyping. By shaping the world they perceived according to their beliefs, moral codes and attitudes, including those concerning the people and lands they occupied, colonisers have ever since dominated their colonies not only through military strength and physical violence but also through their views.
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The aim of my work will partly be to demonstrate the major tropes of colonial stereotypes and their functioning in some selected literary pieces of High Imperialism, which approximately stretches from the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) to the end of the First World War (1918). As the “jewel in the crown” (Laisram: vii), India has long caught the most attention of all the British colonies, and even fascinated politicians, writers, and philosophers of other European nations. Due to this fact, I have chosen to focus on literary pieces that refer to this richest colony of the British Empire only.
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However, the main part of my work will concentrate on the aftermath of colonialism, i.e. the dealings of colonial stereotypes in contemporary English fiction.
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The basic question will thereby be whether the selected writers William Sutcliffe, Pankaj Mishra, Ruth Jhabvala and Anita Desai succeed in questioning and finally reversing colonial stereotypes in their narratives of East-West encounters – or whether they fall back on the images of the colonial legacy. Are Orient and Occident still two opposite poles in the perception of today’s world? Is there still an East-West divide between those formerly colonised and those formerly colonising as Edward W. Said stated in his 1978 published and highly influential theory on Orientalism?
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1 Stereotypes of the Other: Can Contemporary English Fiction Reverse Colonial Traditions? – Introduction
- 2 Stereotypes in Sociological and Literary Contexts
- 2.1 Stereotyping as Mode of Orientation and Identity Finding
- 2.2 Stereotypes in Colonial Relations
- 2.2.1 Victorian Stereotypes of the Indian Subordinate
- 2.3 Stereotypes in East-West Relations
- 2.3.1 Stereotypes as Symptoms of an 'Imperialism of the Mind'
- 3 The Deconstruction of Colonial and Orientalist Stereotypes in The Romantics, Journey to Ithaca, Travelers, and Are You Experienced?
- 3.1 Travels to India - Travels to Colonial Visions?
- 3.2 Western Mimics and Authentic Indians: Analysis of the Novels' Character Constellations
- 3.2.1 Sexuality, Spirituality and the Question of Supremacy
- 3.2.1.1 Bridging the Culture Gap? The Depiction of Sexual Encounters and Gender Role Models
- 3.2.1.2 Losing One's Senses: The Characters' Search of the Sublime
- 3.3 Western 'First World' Perspectives on 'Third World' India: The Tourist's Quest for the Other
- 3.3.1 What is the 'Real' India? The First World Traveller's Longing for Truth and Authenticity
- 4 Where Tourists Meet Trickers: The Difficulties of Stereotype Deconstruction in the Four Analysed Novels - Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This work aims to examine how contemporary English fiction engages with and potentially reverses colonial stereotypes, particularly focusing on narratives depicting East-West encounters in India. The study investigates whether these contemporary works perpetuate colonial legacies or offer critical deconstructions of those legacies. * The perpetuation and function of colonial stereotypes in literature. * The depiction of East-West encounters in contemporary fiction. * The examination of how stereotypes are presented in the context of postcolonial India. * The analysis of whether these narratives challenge or reinforce existing power dynamics. * The exploration of the authors' backgrounds and their influence on their portrayals of these themes.Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1 Stereotypes of the Other: Can Contemporary English Fiction Reverse Colonial Traditions? – Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the groundwork for the thesis, outlining the pervasive influence of stereotypes in shaping perceptions, particularly within the context of colonial relationships. It introduces Walter Lippmann's theory of public opinion and its relevance to understanding colonial control through stereotyping. The chapter highlights the role of stereotypes in British colonial rule in India, arguing that these preconceived notions, while not necessarily part of an official policy, significantly contributed to the maintenance of power. The chapter lays out the thesis's central question: do contemporary English novels successfully challenge or reinforce colonial stereotypes in their depictions of East-West encounters? 2 Stereotypes in Sociological and Literary Contexts: This chapter delves into the sociological and literary aspects of stereotyping, exploring its function as a mechanism for orientation and identity formation. It then moves on to analyze the role of stereotypes in colonial relations, particularly focusing on Victorian-era stereotypes of the Indian subordinate. The chapter further examines stereotypes within East-West relations, connecting these to the concept of "imperialism of the mind." This section provides crucial context for understanding the historical evolution of stereotypes and their continued relevance in contemporary narratives. 3 The Deconstruction of Colonial and Orientalist Stereotypes in The Romantics, Journey to Ithaca, Travelers, and Are You Experienced?: This chapter forms the core of the analysis, examining specific novels to determine whether they deconstruct or perpetuate colonial stereotypes in their portrayal of interactions between Western and Indian characters. It explores the ways in which the novels portray travel to India, analyzing whether these depictions continue the colonial gaze or offer a critical perspective. The chapter delves into character constellations, examining the representation of sexuality, spirituality, and power dynamics between Western and Indian characters. It further discusses the “tourist’s quest for the Other,” analyzing the longing for authenticity and the potential for perpetuating stereotypical views.Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Colonial stereotypes, postcolonial literature, East-West encounters, India, Orientalism, identity, power dynamics, intercultural relations, contemporary fiction, deconstruction, stereotyping, colonial legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this academic work?
This academic work examines how contemporary English fiction engages with and potentially reverses colonial stereotypes, particularly focusing on narratives depicting East-West encounters in India. It investigates whether these contemporary works perpetuate colonial legacies or offer critical deconstructions of those legacies.
What are the key themes explored in this study?
The key themes include the perpetuation and function of colonial stereotypes in literature; the depiction of East-West encounters in contemporary fiction; the examination of how stereotypes are presented in the context of postcolonial India; the analysis of whether these narratives challenge or reinforce existing power dynamics; and the exploration of the authors' backgrounds and their influence on their portrayals of these themes.
Which novels are analyzed in this study?
The core analysis focuses on four novels: The Romantics, Journey to Ithaca, Travelers, and Are You Experienced? These novels are examined to determine whether they deconstruct or perpetuate colonial stereotypes in their portrayal of interactions between Western and Indian characters.
How does the study approach the analysis of these novels?
The study analyzes the novels by exploring the portrayal of travel to India, examining character constellations and the representation of sexuality, spirituality, and power dynamics between Western and Indian characters. It also discusses the “tourist’s quest for the Other,” analyzing the longing for authenticity and the potential for perpetuating stereotypical views.
What is the structure of the academic work?
The work is structured into four chapters. Chapter 1 provides an introduction, outlining the pervasive influence of stereotypes and introducing the central research question. Chapter 2 delves into the sociological and literary aspects of stereotyping, exploring its function in colonial and East-West relations. Chapter 3 forms the core analysis, examining the four novels. Chapter 4 offers a conclusion summarizing the findings.
What are the key sociological and literary concepts explored?
The study explores concepts such as Walter Lippmann's theory of public opinion, stereotyping as a mode of orientation and identity finding, stereotypes in colonial relations (particularly Victorian stereotypes of the Indian subordinate), stereotypes in East-West relations, and the concept of "imperialism of the mind."
What are the key takeaways or conclusions of the study (as hinted at in the preview)?
The preview suggests that the study aims to determine whether contemporary English novels successfully challenge or reinforce colonial stereotypes in their depictions of East-West encounters. The conclusion (Chapter 4) will likely summarize the findings regarding the deconstruction or perpetuation of colonial stereotypes in the four analyzed novels.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Key words include: Colonial stereotypes, postcolonial literature, East-West encounters, India, Orientalism, identity, power dynamics, intercultural relations, contemporary fiction, deconstruction, stereotyping, and colonial legacy.
- Quote paper
- Julia Krause (Author), 2009, The Deconstruction of Colonial Stereotypes in Contemporary English Fiction, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/141698
