Migrant Metaphors in Colonial and Postcolonial Literature: A Critical Analysis by Elleke Boehmer (PDF)
- What are migrant metaphors? - Why are they important for understanding the literature? H2: Colonial literature and migrant metaphors - How colonial writers used migrant metaphors to describe their experiences in foreign lands - Examples of migrant metaphors in colonial literature (e.g. Robinson Crusoe, Heart of Darkness, A Passage to India) H2: Postcolonial literature and migrant metaphors - How postcolonial writers used migrant metaphors to challenge the colonial discourse and assert their identities - Examples of migrant metaphors in postcolonial literature (e.g. Things Fall Apart, Midnight's Children, The God of Small Things) H2: Colonial and postcolonial literature: migrant metaphors pdf download - How to access the book by Elleke Boehmer that explores the topic in depth - A brief summary of the book and its main arguments - A review of the book and its contribution to the field H1: Conclusion - A recap of the main points of the article - A call to action for the readers to download the book and learn more about the topic Table 2: Article with HTML formatting Introduction
Colonial and postcolonial literature are two broad categories of literary works that deal with the historical, political, and cultural effects of colonization and decolonization. They often reflect on the complex relationships between colonizers and colonized, as well as the hybrid identities and cultures that emerge from these encounters.
Colonial And Postcolonial Literature Migrant Metaphors Pdf Download
One of the ways that colonial and postcolonial writers express their views and experiences is through the use of migrant metaphors. Migrant metaphors are figures of speech that compare or contrast different places, cultures, or peoples, often highlighting their similarities or differences. They can also be used to create new meanings or perspectives on familiar or unfamiliar realities.
Migrant metaphors are important for understanding colonial and postcolonial literature because they reveal how writers construct their sense of self and belonging in relation to others. They also show how writers challenge or reinforce the dominant narratives and representations of colonization and decolonization. In this article, we will explore some examples of migrant metaphors in colonial and postcolonial literature, and how they shape our understanding of these literary genres. We will also introduce you to a book by Elleke Boehmer that analyzes this topic in detail, and show you how to download it for free.
Colonial literature and migrant metaphors
Colonial literature refers to the literary works produced by writers from Europe or other colonizing powers during the period of colonization, from the 16th to the 20th century. Colonial literature often depicts the colonizers' experiences and impressions of foreign lands and peoples, as well as their attempts to civilize, exploit, or dominate them.
One of the common features of colonial literature is the use of migrant metaphors to describe or justify the colonizers' actions and attitudes. Migrant metaphors in colonial literature often portray the colonized lands as exotic, savage, or empty spaces that need to be explored, conquered, or filled by the colonizers. They also depict the colonized peoples as inferior, backward, or childlike beings that need to be educated, civilized, or saved by the colonizers.
Some examples of migrant metaphors in colonial literature are:
In Robinson Crusoe (1719) by Daniel Defoe, Crusoe uses migrant metaphors to compare his island to a kingdom or a plantation that he rules over. He also compares himself to a king or a master who has authority over his subjects or slaves, such as Friday.
In Heart of Darkness (1899) by Joseph Conrad, Marlow uses migrant metaphors to contrast Europe with Africa. He describes Europe as a place of civilization, light, and order, while Africa as a place of savagery, darkness, and chaos. He also compares Africans to animals or objects that have no agency or humanity.
In A Passage to India (1924) by E.M. Forster, the British characters use migrant metaphors to distance themselves from India and its culture. They describe India as a mysterious, hostile, or unfathomable land that cannot be understood or appreciated by them. They also compare Indians to insects or machines that have no individuality or dignity.
Postcolonial literature and migrant metaphors
Postcolonial literature refers to the literary works produced by writers from formerly colonized countries or regions after the end of colonization, from the mid-20th century onwards. Postcolonial literature often critiques or challenges the colonial legacy and its impact on the postcolonial societies and cultures. It also celebrates or explores the diversity, creativity, and resilience of the postcolonial peoples and their expressions.
One of the common features of postcolonial literature is the use of migrant metaphors to subvert or resist the colonial discourse and its representations. Migrant metaphors in postcolonial literature often portray the colonized lands as rich, diverse, or dynamic spaces that have their own histories, cultures, and values. They also depict the colonized peoples as complex, creative, or rebellious beings that have their own voices, identities, and agency.
Some examples of migrant metaphors in postcolonial literature are:
In Things Fall Apart (1958) by Chinua Achebe, Okonkwo uses migrant metaphors to assert his masculinity and pride in his Igbo culture. He compares himself to a lion or a fire that has strength and courage. He also compares the British colonizers to locusts or leprosy that have invaded and destroyed his land and people.
In Midnight's Children (1981) by Salman Rushdie, Saleem uses migrant metaphors to narrate his life story and the history of India after independence. He compares himself to a pickle or a chutney that has a mixture of flavors and ingredients. He also compares India to a jigsaw puzzle or a kaleidoscope that has a variety of pieces and patterns.
In The God of Small Things (1997) by Arundhati Roy, Rahel and Estha use migrant metaphors to cope with their traumatic experiences and their marginalized status in Kerala. They compare themselves to spiders or fishes that have mobility and freedom. They also compare Kerala to a river or a forest that has life and beauty.
Colonial and postcolonial literature: migrant metaphors pdf download
If you are interested in learning more about migrant metaphors in colonial and postcolonial literature, you should check out the book by Elleke Boehmer titled Colonial and Postcolonial Literature: Migrant Metaphors (2005). This book is a comprehensive and insightful study of how migrant metaphors shape our understanding of colonial and postcolonial literature and culture.
In this book, Boehmer analyzes how migrant metaphors are used by different writers from different regions and periods, such as Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, Caribbean, India, Ireland, New Zealand, and South Africa. She examines how migrant metaphors reflect or challenge the power dynamics between colonizers and colonized, as well as the hybrid identities and cultures that emerge from these interactions. She also explores how migrant metaphors relate to other literary devices and themes, such as allegory, irony, parody, satire, symbolism, realism, modernism, postmodernism, feminism, nationalism, globalization, etc.
The book is divided into four parts: Part I: Introduction; Part II: Colonial Literature; Part III: Postcolonial Literature; Part IV: Conclusion. Each part contains several chapters that focus on specific writers or works that illustrate the use of migrant metaphors in colonial and postcolonial literature. The book also includes a bibliography and an index for further reference.
The book is available for free download in pdf format from various online sources, such as Internet Archive . You can also read it online or borrow it from your local library. To download the book from Internet Archive , you need to follow these steps:
Go to https://archive.org/details/ColonialAndPostcolonialLiteratureMigrantMetophors or https://archive.org/details/colonialpostcolo0000boeh_d5z5
Click on the PDF icon on the right side of the page
Wait for the file to load or download
Enjoy reading the book!
Conclusion
and how to download a book by Elleke Boehmer that explores this topic in depth. We have also provided some examples of migrant metaphors in colonial and postcolonial literature, and how they reveal the writers' perspectives and experiences.
Migrant metaphors are powerful tools that can enhance or challenge our understanding of colonial and postcolonial literature and culture. They can also help us appreciate the diversity and creativity of the writers and their expressions. We hope that this article has inspired you to read more about this topic and to download the book by Elleke Boehmer for free.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them with us. We would love to hear from you!
FAQs
What is the difference between colonial and postcolonial literature?
Colonial literature is the literature produced by writers from colonizing powers during the period of colonization, while postcolonial literature is the literature produced by writers from formerly colonized countries or regions after the end of colonization.
What are migrant metaphors?
Migrant metaphors are figures of speech that compare or contrast different places, cultures, or peoples, often highlighting their similarities or differences.
Why are migrant metaphors important for understanding colonial and postcolonial literature?
Migrant metaphors are important for understanding colonial and postcolonial literature because they reveal how writers construct their sense of self and belonging in relation to others. They also show how writers challenge or reinforce the dominant narratives and representations of colonization and decolonization.
What are some examples of migrant metaphors in colonial and postcolonial literature?
Some examples of migrant metaphors in colonial and postcolonial literature are: Robinson Crusoe comparing his island to a kingdom or a plantation; Marlow contrasting Europe with Africa as civilization versus savagery; Okonkwo comparing the British colonizers to locusts or leprosy; Saleem comparing himself to a pickle or a chutney; Rahel and Estha comparing Kerala to a river or a forest.
How can I download the book by Elleke Boehmer that analyzes migrant metaphors in colonial and postcolonial literature?
You can download the book by Elleke Boehmer titled Colonial and Postcolonial Literature: Migrant Metaphors (2005) for free from Internet Archive. You just need to go to https://archive.org/details/ColonialAndPostcolonialLiteratureMigrantMetophors or https://archive.org/details/colonialpostcolo0000boeh_d5z5 and click on the PDF icon on the right side of the page. 71b2f0854b