The Binary of Self and Other in Heart of Darkness: An Analysis of Text through the Lens of Post-colonialism
The present presentation explores the binary opposition between the colonizers and colonized that was unreal but constructed and represented with the help of language, visual imagery, characters etc. These visual or textual images successfully reinforce the nexus of power and inequalities and creating the polarities of oppressor and oppressed, dominant and dominated, controller and controlled. The presentation takes into account the theoretical work of Edward Said, ‘Orientalism’ (1978) which highlights the varied sorts of misrepresentation result in the creation of hierarchies, binary opposition, and biased subjective imagination. The presentation will also examine how these binaries are created in the text ‘Heart of Darkness’ where the entire culture of a community is scaled between 'primitive', 'archaic', or 'uncivilised'. The story told from the eyes of the European master/ controller creates a discourse of 'Other'. The politics of defining was otherizing the ‘Other’. Language has been used as an instrument to show the dichotomy between East and West, legitimatize the man-made representation, and creates a false picture. The initial part of my presentation emphasizes the interrelation which exists between literature, culture and society. Subsequently, my presentation also unfolds that with the change in the power structure of society, literature and language became a site of colonization.
About Nitisha Mehrotra:
I am Nitisha Mehrotra. I have completed my Masters in English and Communication Studies and Bachelors of Education from India. I have taught English Literature and Grammar to Secondary and Senior Secondary grades for four years. I hold the experience of assisting the candidates appearing for The International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS). Currently, I am
learning German language and love to explore and dig deeper into German Culture and History. In my leisure time I write blogs and poetries. It helps me to revitalize my mood and enables me to bounce back with renewed fervor and strength.