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Research Proposal Change of Dominant Narrative

The research proposal examines the legacy of post-colonialism in contemporary literature, focusing on how it reshapes dominant Western narratives and addresses themes of hybridity and ambivalence. It aims to analyze the representation of post-colonial narratives, critique Western ideologies, and explore the impact of globalization on literature. The study will utilize a qualitative approach, incorporating literary analysis and post-colonial theory, with a timeline for completion outlined over ten months.

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Sanat Singha Goswami Gora
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8 views

Research Proposal Change of Dominant Narrative

The research proposal examines the legacy of post-colonialism in contemporary literature, focusing on how it reshapes dominant Western narratives and addresses themes of hybridity and ambivalence. It aims to analyze the representation of post-colonial narratives, critique Western ideologies, and explore the impact of globalization on literature. The study will utilize a qualitative approach, incorporating literary analysis and post-colonial theory, with a timeline for completion outlined over ten months.

Uploaded by

Sanat Singha Goswami Gora
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Research Proposal for a PhD thesis in English Literature

Sanad Singha Goswami

Research Proposal: Examining the Legacy of Post-Colonialism in Contemporary Literature

1. Title

Legacy of Postcolonialism: Is Contemporary Literature Changing the Dominant Western


Narratives?

2. Introduction

European colonialism resulted in migrations, displacement, and refugee crises. Gradually, the
West is populated by people from different geographical locations with many cultures-
beliefs, practices, languages, and political and social philosophies. Contemporary literature
shows that the postcolonial era is marked not only by the changes in the colonized countries
but also by the massive transformation in dominant Western narratives. For example, the
concept of diversity has been questioned – what if a community takes advantage of freedom
and tolerance to destroy freedom and tolerance? More dominant narratives like those of
democracy, freedom of speech, feminism, tolerance, gender, and sexuality are being
reshaped, proving the theory of ‘hybridity’ and ‘ambivalence’ as proposed by Homi K
Bhabha. Novels like Shame by Salman Rushdie deal with the ‘subaltern’ women in
postcolonial Pakistan, while fiction like Exit West by Mohsin Hamid emphasizes changing
the dominant narratives of the refugee crisis, tolerance, and the concept of political borders.
Likewise, S K Ali’s novel Love from A to Z tries to challenge the feminist ideologies long
cherished in the West, and Monica Ali’s Brick Lane hints at the shifts in literary
representation.

3. Research Questions:

• How does contemporary literature address the legacy of colonialism in shaping


dominant post-colonial narratives?
• In what ways do contemporary post-colonial writers try to establish their identities?
• How do themes of hybridity, ambivalence, and mimicry manifest in contemporary
post-colonial literature?
• What role does contemporary post-colonial literature play in fostering global
understandings of cultural diversity and resistance?
4. Objectives:

• To analyze the representation of post-colonial narratives of tolerance, democracy and


other values in contemporary literature.
• To investigate how contemporary post-colonial writers critique or reaffirm Western
ideologies.
• To explore the impact of globalization on post-colonial literature and its themes.
• To contribute to the broader discourse on post-colonialism and its relevance in
contemporary global contexts.

5. Literature Review:

The literature review will cover foundational texts in post-colonial theory, such as Edward
Said’s Orientalism, Gayatri Spivak’s Can the Subaltern Speak?, and Homi Bhabha’s The
Location of Culture. It will also include recent scholarly works that address the intersection
of post-colonialism with globalization, migration, and identity. This study will dig deeper
into contemporary novels written by migrant writers whose points of view are acquired
through first-hand experience. Additionally, the review will examine contemporary literary
works from regions such as Africa, South Asia, the Caribbean, and Indigenous communities,
focusing on how these works engage with post-colonial themes.

6. Methodology:

This research will employ a qualitative approach, combining literary analysis with post-
colonial theory. The primary texts will be selected based on their relevance to the research
questions, focusing on works published in the 21st century. Close reading and textual
analysis will be the main methods used to examine the representation of post-colonial themes.
Additionally, the research will incorporate theoretical frameworks from post-colonial studies
to interpret the findings.

7. Chapter Outline:

I) Introduction: The Evolution of Postcolonialism in Literature


• The theory of ambivalence and hybridity and its current application.
• Writers coming from different parts of the world have contributed to postcolonialism.
• The West is depicted from different perspectives.

II) Change of Political Narratives


• Democratic values are not the main concerns anymore.
• Expectations from the West are much higher than received by the migrants.
• Instead of social inequality, migrants demand to be heard in politics.

III) Feminism, gender and sexuality with New Perspectives


• Instead of female independence, migrant women’s identities are prioritized.
• Feminist agenda like LGBTQ rights are not voiced there.
• The discourse of intersectionality and equality receive a new turn of discussion.

IV) Subverting the Canon: Shifts in Literary Representation

• How contemporary literature challenges the traditional Western canon.


• The inclusion of non-Western voices in mainstream literary spaces.
• Case studies of novels or literary works that directly counter or deconstruct dominant
Western ideologies.

V) Narrating Resistance: Literature as Political Activism

• How contemporary postcolonial literature serves as a form of resistance and activism.


• The role of literature in addressing modern issues like neo-colonialism, immigration,
and racial inequality.
• Analysis of works that intertwine literary art with political movements.

VI) Diversity and Postcolonialism

• New definitions
• New perspectives
• New moral grounds and supports

VII) The Western Response: Reception and Criticism

• How contemporary postcolonial literature is received by Western critics and readers.


• Examination of gatekeeping in the Western literary world and its impact on
postcolonial works.
• The shifting dynamics of literary prizes, publishing, and media coverage.
8. Expected Outcomes:

• A comprehensive understanding of how contemporary literature continues to grapple


with the legacy of colonialism.
• Insight into the ways in which post-colonial identities are constructed, deconstructed,
and reimagined in contemporary literature.
• An exploration of the dynamic relationship between post-colonialism and
globalization in shaping modern literary narratives.

9. Significance:

This research will contribute to the ongoing discourse on post-colonialism by providing a


contemporary perspective on its influence in literature. It will highlight the continued
relevance of post-colonial theory in understanding global cultural dynamics and foster a
deeper appreciation of the diverse voices that challenge and enrich literary traditions.

10. Timeline:

• Month 1-2: Literature review and identification of primary texts.


• Month 3-4: Development of theoretical framework and research design.
• Month 5-7: Textual analysis and data collection.
• Month 8-9: Interpretation of findings and writing of the first draft.
• Month 10: Revision and finalization of the research paper.

11. References:

A preliminary list of references will include key texts in post-colonial theory, recent scholarly
articles on contemporary post-colonial literature, and the primary literary works to be
analyzed. Specific references will be compiled during the literature review phase.

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