Decolonization
2 articles filed under this keyword.
Dynamic Identity
Hazhar Othman Abdalla, Zanyar Kareem Abdul
This research focuses on the dynamic and fluid identity of the protagonist of The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2007), a novel by Mohsin Hamid (1971-). It claims that the protagonist’s identity is continuously reconstructed with extrinsic and intrinsic ruptures through the lens of postcolonial theory because it provides a framework to analyze identity formation process, particularly the concept of Orientalism by Edward Said (1953-2003) with dual identity and psychological split by Frantz Fanon (1925-1961). The research discusses how the protagonist’s identity is shaped by the global power relations, racial mistrust, and power conflict in America after the 9/11 attacks. It analyzes some of the crucial scenes of the novel and demonstrates how Islamophobia and Western stereotyping generate a crisis in which belonging as well as subjectivity are at stake for Changez in his double consciousness toward resistance. His journey from a New York-based corporate elite to an opponent of American imperialism in Lahore is a tale about decolonizing both political and personal aspects. The form of the novel, as a monologue directed at an American man, emphasizes the ways in which identity shakes under the pressure of fear and suspicion. Furthermore, this research contributes to broader discussions of migrant identity, postcolonial resistance, and the capacity of literature to undermine dominant ways of seeing and treating the Other.
Volume 11 · Issue 3 · June 2024The Rise of Decolonial Image: Postcolonial Reading to Django Unchained Movie by Quentin Tarantino
Samal Marf Mohammed
This paper provides postcolonial analysis of Django Unchained movie which is written and directed by American Film writer Quentin Tarantino in 2012. More specifically, the analysis focused on three primary components: firstly, Quentin Tarantino’s critique for slavery of blacks and racial discrimination, secondly, Orientalized Oriental discourse via postcolonial lens, and thirdly, decolonization discourse which is represented by Django, the protagonist of the movie. Throughout the movie, the viewers can see many scenes of slavery and racial intolerance which reflects many historical facts in the era of American slavery; including how blacks were obliged to work and how they were treated inhumanely. In a similar vein, the viewer can see the spirit of Orientalized Oriental phenomenon through Stephen as one of the major actors of the movie who embodies the phenomenon which supported abusing with blacks although he is a black actor. Quentin Tarantino gives a spectacular role to Django who becomes a symbolic emancipation of blacks and earns his freedom and frees his wife, Broomhilda. Postcolonial critics react against the imperial history of colonization, like the structure of racism as well as colonial power which reshaped itself by Orientalized Oriental discourse. After all, Django Unchained Movie contributes to the discourse of postcolonialism in which Quentin Tarantino reveals some historical facts about African American slavery, and in contrast to many other Film Makers, he gives a good role to non-European hero, Django.