Postcolonial Theory: Then and now

Much like New Historicism, Postcolonial Theory is a concept that deals largely with social history. However, this theory also looks closely at physiology and the social aspects of people and literature. Postcolonial Theory focuses on the different races and ethnicity of people, as well as colonization and its effects on different cultures.

Postcolonial Theory requires just as much research as that of New Historicism. By looking at literature before colonization and comparing it to the literature after, theorists can get a better idea of the impact that was made when these cultures collided.

If Postcolonial theorists focused only on literature after colonization, or even solely on literature before colonization, the same similarities and differences would not be able to be drawn and the same conclusions would not be made. 

When looking at these two forms of literature, it is common to see how he colonized people often resent the destruction of their cultures. Different aspects of culture such as religion, customs, and languages can all be lost in the process of colonization. In some circumstances, these practices can even be outlawed by those colonizing the different tribes and communities. After this, the only remains of the the original inhabitants are left in what writings or art they may have had.

Today, many people continue writing novels and other forms of literature about colonization and the effects it had on their homes and the lives they once knew. These writings are great examples for some of the literature that Postcolonial Theorists have to work with. As long as cultural and social aspects of life are constantly changing, there will always be a place for Postcolonial Theory. It's hope is that perhaps it can shed light on more positive ways change can be made in the future.

Citations:

Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2015. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonialism>.