22. Post-Colonial Criticism

Introduction to Theory of Literature (ENGL 300)

In this lecture on post-colonial theory, Professor Paul Fry explores the work of Edward Said and Homi K. Bhabha. The complicated origins, definitions, and limitations of the term "post-colonial" are outlined. Elaine Showalter's theory of the phasic development of female literary identity is applied to the expression of post-colonial identities. Crucial terms such as ambivalence, hybridity, and double consciousness are explained. The relationship between Bhabha's concept of sly civility and Gates's "signifyin'" is discussed, along with the reliance of both on semiotics.

00:00 - Chapter 1. Problems With the Term "Post-Colonial"
08:56 - Chapter 2. A Room of One's Own Revisited
14:00 - Chapter 3. Orientalism and Showalter's Phases
20:51 - Chapter 4. The Relationship Between Said and Bhabha
26:54 - Chapter 5. The Master-Slave Dialectic
36:12 - Chapter 6. Bhabha: Ambivalence and Hybridity
50:40 - Chapter 7. "Sly Civility" as Signifyin'

Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/courses

This course was recorded in Spring 2009.