Without reading the article, what did you know about
Post-Colonial Theory/Literature? Based on the article, what are
answers to the following: When is the post-colonial? Where is the
post-colonial? Who is the post-colonial? What is the post-colonial?
What are some of the BIG ISSUES of PoCo Theory? In other words, why
is it so darn controversial???
Slide 3
Post-Colonial: Refers to the time period after colonial rule
has been suspended. Colonialism: the establishment, maintenance,
acquisition and expansion of colonies in one territory by people
from another territory. Westernization: The process by which
non-Western (Western being Europe and USA) countries come under or
adopt Western culture in regards to technology, law, politics,
economics, lifestyle, language, philosophy, and/or values.
Imperialism: The creation and/or maintenance of an unequal
economic, cultural, and territorial relationship based on
domination and subordination. Hegemony: An imperial power rules a
subordinate state through indirect power (the threat of a threat).
Globalization: Processes of international integration arising from
increasing human connectivity and interchange of worldviews,
products, ideas, and other aspects of culture.
Slide 4
Symbolism Imagery Mood vs. Tone Theme Foil Direct
Characterization Indirect Characterization Narrator
Translation
Slide 5
Basically, the existentialist assumes that existence precedes
essence, that the significant fact is that we and things in general
exist, but that these things have no meaning for us except as we
can create meaning through acting upon them. (Harmon & Holman)
The universe provides no clues as to how humanity to should live.
Humans are aware of the potential for nothingness, the absurdity of
the world, and our overwhelming meaninglessness. This leads to
great fear, anxiety, loneliness, despair, and anguish. Humans thus
distrust of concepts and abstractions, but emphasis on the
concreteness of experience. Humans are constantly struggling to
create personal meaning by investing in meaningful experiences and
acting upon the world. Heres the rub: we long for meaningful
experience as a way to gain personal gratification, but how is this
possible in an absurd, meaningless world? Positive spin: we are all
responsible for our own actions and thus our own existence, thus we
have freedom to determine the trajectory of our lives. Negative
spin: there is no one else to blame for our actions!
Slide 6
Existentialism is a full-fledged philosophy flushed out by such
great philosophers as Kierkegaard, Heidegger, and Sartre.
Existentialism as applied to literature typically focuses on such
sweeping thematic ideas as freedom and responsibility.
Existentialist literature also tends to follow characters as they
grapple with the absurdity of the universe and explores the
outcomes of the decisions that they make.
Slide 7
Question One: Why would this movement gain such popularity in
Nazi-occupied countries during/after WWII? Question Two: Where does
religion fit into existentialist theory?
Slide 8
Slide 9
Literary extension of the philosophy of existentialism. Human
beings live in meaningless isolation in an alien universe. We are
all moving from nothingness to nothingness and our existence is
marked by anguish and absurdity. Absurdist literature is marked by
illogic, inconsistency, and nightmarish fantasy. Harmon &
Holman
Slide 10
Fatalism: Resignation in the face of events thought to be
inevitable; philosophically, the view that humans are powerless to
do anything other than what we actually do. Minimalism: A modern
style of writing marked by brevity, economy, and modesty. The
American Style: As acknowledged by Camusshort, precise sentences;
depiction of a character ostensibly without consciousness; the
tough guy tone (Ward).
Slide 11
Born in Algeria on November 7, 1913 Father died in WWI in 1914,
leaving Camus, his older brother, and his mother in poverty.
Contracted tuberculosis in high school and almost died. How might
these two events have shaped Camus life? Joined an underground
anti-Nazi group during WWII and became editor of a resistance
newspaper. He wrote The Stranger during this time (published in
1942). Awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1957. Was killed
in an automobile accident in 1960.
Slide 12
While working with the Nazi resistance movement, Camus
developed his theory of the absurd. This theory declared that life
is essentially meaningless because of the inevitability of death.
Camus was unsatisfied with his theory, though, as he still felt
that there were moral responsibilities. Camus believed that a novel
is a philosophy put into images. Gained wide recognition as one of
the premier French writers of his day. His work significantly
influenced the post-war generation searching for meaning in a
troubled world. Known throughout his life for his political views
and activism.
Slide 13
Location: North Africa, on the Mediterranean Capital City:
Algiers Close proximity to Europe and port location allowed the
city/country to be heavily influenced by many different cultures
for centuries. The French captured Algeria in 1830 and ruled until
overthrown in a bloody battle in the 1960s.
Slide 14
Slide 15
Arabs, Europeans, and pieds-noirs (people of European descent
born in Algeria) all lived side-by-side in the crowded city of
Algiers. Native peoples (the majority of which were Muslim), had
low paying jobs performing menial tasks for Europeans. They also
had little political influence. The native population became
increasingly resentful of native rule in the early 1900s. Political
unrest worsened after the devastation of WWI. The National
Liberation Front launched a guerrilla campaign in 1954 known as the
War of Algerian Independence. Through extraordinarily bloody means,
they gained independence from France in 1962.
Slide 16
Camus was considered a pieds-noirs. He published The Stranger
in 1942 before the FLN but when tensions in Algiers were quite
intense. Knowing what you now know about Camus and Algeria, how do
you think his culture will impact his writing? How will
Post-Colonial Theory impact our reading and understanding of The
Stranger?
Slide 17
Please read Camus short story, The Guest. The copy provided is
yours to keep so feel free to write on it. You may work in small
groups or independently. Please pay special attention to the
following elements/ideas: Isolation Colonialism Existentialism
Absurdity Self-determination Symbolism of the map, the setting, the
prisoner and his bonds When you have finished reading, write an
organized one- paragraph response that discusses one of the
following questions: Discuss the extent to which this short story
depicts existentialist philosophy. Discuss the impact and depiction
of colonialism in the story.