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    Frankenstein : Postcolonial Criticism: 1. Major Characteristics of Postcolonialism Criticism

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    This document discusses postcolonial criticism of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. [1] Postcolonial criticism analyzes works by authors from colonized regions and examines colonial attitudes. [2] Critics like Raymond Williams, Foucault, and Bhabha see literature emerging from concepts like power relationships, creolization, and hybridity. [3] When applying postcolonial criticism to Frankenstein, critics view the monster as representing colonized peoples and note parallels between the story and slavery, including denied education, double consciousness, denied sexuality and control, and justified violence for independence.

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    Frankenstein : Postcolonial Criticism: 1. Major Characteristics of Postcolonialism Criticism

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    This document discusses postcolonial criticism of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. [1] Postcolonial criticism analyzes works by authors from colonized regions and examines colonial attitudes. [2] Critics like Raymond Williams, Foucault, and Bhabha see literature emerging from concepts like power relationships, creolization, and hybridity. [3] When applying postcolonial criticism to Frankenstein, critics view the monster as representing colonized peoples and note parallels between the story and slavery, including denied education, double consciousness, denied sexuality and control, and justified violence for independence.

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    This document discusses postcolonial criticism of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. [1] Postcolonial criticism analyzes works by authors from colonized regions and examines colonial attitudes. [2] Critics like Raymond Williams, Foucault, and Bhabha see literature emerging from concepts like power relationships, creolization, and hybridity. [3] When applying postcolonial criticism to Frankenstein, critics view the monster as representing colonized peoples and note parallels between the story and slavery, including denied education, double consciousness, denied sexuality and control, and justified violence for independence.

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    251 views2 pages

    Frankenstein : Postcolonial Criticism: 1. Major Characteristics of Postcolonialism Criticism

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    This document discusses postcolonial criticism of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. [1] Postcolonial criticism analyzes works by authors from colonized regions and examines colonial attitudes. [2] Critics like Raymond Williams, Foucault, and Bhabha see literature emerging from concepts like power relationships, creolization, and hybridity. [3] When applying postcolonial criticism to Frankenstein, critics view the monster as representing colonized peoples and note parallels between the story and slavery, including denied education, double consciousness, denied sexuality and control, and justified violence for independence.

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    Frankenstein​: Postcolonial Criticism 

    1. Major Characteristics of Postcolonialism Criticism ​(p.530-531 & 534)


    ● Involves analysis of works by authors from regions of the globe subject to ​European Colonization
    ● Could also be considered ​Imperialist Criticism
    -​Imperialism​: the extension of rulership or authority [unwanted] by a politically/economically
    powerful empire/nation and its culture over a weaker country/region and its culture
    ● The prefix ​-​post ​in ​postcolonialism ​signifies the period ​following ​the ​end​ of colonization/the
    achievement of national independence by a former colony OR any point ​following​ colonial rule
    ● Showcase ​colonists attitudes​ held by the author/or literary characters & how their ​bias views
    represent the opposing persons/cultures
    ● Written in ​English
    ● Covers geographic areas of: ​Africa and the Carribean​, ​“East”​ [the Middle East and Asia], and the
    Indian subcontinent
    2. Assumptions of Advocates about Literature and Culture ​(p.531-534)
    *​Postcolonial Criticism can be seen as a cultural criticism & approach to literature that emerged in ​England
    in the ​1950s​ and ​60s​.
    ● Raymond Williams in his book ​The Long Revolution
    ● Michel Foucault and ​power relationships
    ● Brathwaite and ​creolization
    ● Homi Bhabha and ​hybridity
    3. Application in ​Frankenstein ​(p.550-565)
    ● Monstrousness​:
    ○ Frankenstein’s features are those found common in “​colonial depictions​ of Asian, Indian, and
    African ‘savages’” (David A. Hedrich)
    ○ Frankenstein is composed of various ​body/animal parts​; he is ​NOT​ reanimation of a dead body. This
    highlights “cross-racial/cross-species reproduction”
    ● The Autodidact​:
    ○ Despite being denied education by Victor, the monster is able to ​learn​ how to read and talk based on
    the ​observations ​of the De Lacey family, this correlates to West Indians and American slaves being
    denied knowledge​ in the 17th century
    ○ W.E.B. DuBois’s “​double consciousness​” refers to when African Americans had to view themselves
    in the eyes of others.
    ● The Master and The Slave​:
    ○ Frankenstein’s ​denial of humanity​ is parallel to that of African slaves (justification for slavery)
    ○ Victor’s initial reaction is to ​abhor​ his creation, but then realizes that he ​MUST​ acknowledge
    Frankenstein. This is similar to “masters” reflecting back on those they institutionalized into slavery.
    ● The Denial of Sexuality​:
    ○ The creature is viewed as a slave to Victor, and like a slave, the creature is ​denied control ​over his
    sexual desires
    ○ “​Rape fantasies​” involving Justine and the death of Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s features are “white” and
    she is seen as a perfect “Angel in the House” which contradicts with the dark imagery of the monster
    and results in “rape fantasies''
    ● Revenge, Atrocity, and Insurrection​:
    ○ The monster​ detests ​Victor for creating him as a hideous and lonely being. He is driven mad and
    ultimately ​kills V
    ​ ictor’s family. This correlates to the American Revolution and its justification for
    violence​ in order to achieve ​liberty​ and ​independence​.
    ● “This Thing of Darkness”: Racial Discourse in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein:
    ○ Frankenstein as a ​representation​ of the voiceless, those in poverty, those of minority groups, etc.
    ○ Shelley was writing/revising Frankenstein during the anti-slavery movement(s)/abolition (1807-1833);
    her references are ​metaphorical​ in scope. The“rhetoric of control and submission” is prominent
    throughout the novel to help relate the importance of ​abolishing slavery
    Work Cited
    Shelley, Mary. ​Frankenstein​. Edited by Johanna M. Smith, Macmillan, 2000.

    Smith, Johanna M. "​Postcolonial Criticism and Frankenstein​" with “​A Postcolonial Perspective​”.

    3rd ed., Bedford/St. Martin's, 2016.

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