Por meio de uma investigação que incide sobre as práticas críticas, o trabalho apresenta uma elaboração sobre o potencial político da desconstrução para uma leitura de textos literários comprometida com reivindicações identitárias feitas às margens dos discursos hegemônicos. O gesto desconstrutivo, como proposto pelo pensador franco-argelino Jacques Derrida, desafia a estabilidade de categorias que fundamentam estes discursos, tais como “essência”, “natureza”, “origem” e outros nomes metafísicos que envolvem a idéia de identidade a si, demonstrando, desta forma, que toda estrutura é atravessada por uma falta constitutiva. Sugerindo uma noção de identidade enquanto diferença, o trabalho examina estratégias gerais da desconstrução e propõe uma análise de suas apropriações nos esforços teórico-críticos dos autores indianos Gayatri Spivak e Homi Bhabha no que diz respeito à leitura de produções textuais que articulam questões de gênero e diferença sexual e de nação e diferença cultural respectivamente. / By way of investigating critical practices, this work deploys an elaboration on the political potential of deconstruction aimed at a reading of literary texts committed to identity claims from the margins of hegemonic discourses. The deconstructive gesture, as proposed by French-Algerian thinker Jacques Derrida, challenges the stability of categories that ground these discourses, such as “essence”, “nature”, “origin”, and other metaphysical names which involve the idea of identity to itself, demonstrating, thus, that every structure is crossed by a constitutive lack. In suggesting a notion of identity as difference, this work examines general strategies of deconstruction and proposes an analysis of its appropriations by the theoreticcritical efforts of Indian authors Gayatri Spivak and Homi Bhabha in the reading of textual productions that articulate questions of gender and sexual difference, and of nation and cultural difference respectively.

Por meio de uma investigação que incide sobre as práticas críticas, o trabalho apresenta uma elaboração sobre o potencial político da desconstrução para uma leitura de textos literários comprometida com reivindicações identitárias feitas às margens dos discursos hegemônicos. O gesto desconstrutivo, como proposto pelo pensador franco-argelino Jacques Derrida, desafia a estabilidade de categorias que fundamentam estes discursos, tais como “essência”, “natureza”, “origem” e outros nomes metafísicos que envolvem a idéia de identidade a si, demonstrando, desta forma, que toda estrutura é atravessada por uma falta constitutiva. Sugerindo uma noção de identidade enquanto diferença, o trabalho examina estratégias gerais da desconstrução e propõe uma análise de suas apropriações nos esforços teórico-críticos dos autores indianos Gayatri Spivak e Homi Bhabha no que diz respeito à leitura de produções textuais que articulam questões de gênero e diferença sexual e de nação e diferença cultural respectivamente. / By way of investigating critical practices, this work deploys an elaboration on the political potential of deconstruction aimed at a reading of literary texts committed to identity claims from the margins of hegemonic discourses. The deconstructive gesture, as proposed by French-Algerian thinker Jacques Derrida, challenges the stability of categories that ground these discourses, such as “essence”, “nature”, “origin”, and other metaphysical names which involve the idea of identity to itself, demonstrating, thus, that every structure is crossed by a constitutive lack. In suggesting a notion of identity as difference, this work examines general strategies of deconstruction and proposes an analysis of its appropriations by the theoreticcritical efforts of Indian authors Gayatri Spivak and Homi Bhabha in the reading of textual productions that articulate questions of gender and sexual difference, and of nation and cultural difference respectively.

This study examines how racism and police brutality are illustrated in The hate U give and Dear Martin, which are two bestselling novels that emphasize the importance of resistance, and willingness to fight back against abuse of power and the oppression of African Americans in the US. Through the use of critical discourse analysis, power structures and race relations in the US are analyzed by means of postcolonial and power theory as well as by means of narrative theory. Moreover, the textual elements that are of importance to the analysis are the study of characters, motives and themes, specifically how the characters are affected by harmful stereotypes and forced into silence by the legal system in an attempt to justify police brutality. The analysis presented here indicates a colonial discourse, where the power structures in America are designed to work against African Americans. The characters’ actions and reactions to police brutality and oppression are therefore of importance in my study to depict how the novels creates a meaning for resistance and for finding a way for “the other” to be heard. My conclusion is that the characters’ voices are their weapons against police brutality, abuse of power, and oppression. To fight with one’s voice is to prove the stereotype, “thug”, wrong about African Americans, a stereotype that is often used by the police and the media to justify police brutality.

Por meio de uma investigação que incide sobre as práticas críticas, o trabalho apresenta uma elaboração sobre o potencial político da desconstrução para uma leitura de textos literários comprometida com reivindicações identitárias feitas às margens dos discursos hegemônicos. O gesto desconstrutivo, como proposto pelo pensador franco-argelino Jacques Derrida, desafia a estabilidade de categorias que fundamentam estes discursos, tais como “essência”, “natureza”, “origem” e outros nomes metafísicos que envolvem a idéia de identidade a si, demonstrando, desta forma, que toda estrutura é atravessada por uma falta constitutiva. Sugerindo uma noção de identidade enquanto diferença, o trabalho examina estratégias gerais da desconstrução e propõe uma análise de suas apropriações nos esforços teórico-críticos dos autores indianos Gayatri Spivak e Homi Bhabha no que diz respeito à leitura de produções textuais que articulam questões de gênero e diferença sexual e de nação e diferença cultural respectivamente. / By way of investigating critical practices, this work deploys an elaboration on the political potential of deconstruction aimed at a reading of literary texts committed to identity claims from the margins of hegemonic discourses. The deconstructive gesture, as proposed by French-Algerian thinker Jacques Derrida, challenges the stability of categories that ground these discourses, such as “essence”, “nature”, “origin”, and other metaphysical names which involve the idea of identity to itself, demonstrating, thus, that every structure is crossed by a constitutive lack. In suggesting a notion of identity as difference, this work examines general strategies of deconstruction and proposes an analysis of its appropriations by the theoreticcritical efforts of Indian authors Gayatri Spivak and Homi Bhabha in the reading of textual productions that articulate questions of gender and sexual difference, and of nation and cultural difference respectively.

The aim of this essay is to critically consider Arundhati Roy’s novel The God of Small Things from a postcolonial feminist perspective, with a special focus on how she models different representations of women, taking as a background the discussions within postcolonial feminism about subalternity and the representations of women from the so-called Third World in theory and literature, as well as the concept of agency from Cultural Studies. This purpose is reached by studying and comparing three main female characters in the novel: Mammachi, Baby Kochamma and Ammu, centering on their different ways of relating to the male hero of the novel, Velutha, an Untouchable in the lingering caste system of India. The essay argues that Roy has contributed with diverse representations of subaltern women in the ‘Third World’ who—despite their oppressed and marginalized status—display agency and are portrayed as responsible for their own actions.

In 1898, H G Wells published The War of the Worlds, a scathing indictment of colonialism from the perspective of the colonized. The following year, Rudyard Kipling penned The White Man’s Burden, describing colonial conquest as driven by duty, for the sake of the subjugated. They shared a vantage point from the literary pedestal of fin-de-siècle London, but what they saw was very different.            The War of the Worlds can be read as an allegory of colonialism where the tables are turned and the colonial masters are suddenly exposed to a ruthless and technologically superior power. What can be inferred about the Martians’ motives? Can they be perceived as driven by duty, by wishing to take care of or serve their captives’ needs? With the information provided in the The War of the Worlds, could a Martian Kipling write “The Green Man’s Burden” to motivate the invasion of the Earth?           Using postcolonial tools of analysis, this essay digs into the britishness of Wells’ colonizers and colonized, as well as into the britishness of Wells’ own perspective. Some postcolonial theorists argue that representatives of the colonial powers cannot represent the subjugated. Does his background and nationality disqualify Wells to describe the effects of colonialism? I argue that it does not. Staying in the social space of the West helped Wells erode the ideology of colonialism by tailoring it to be received and understood by his target audience, his contemporary countrymen.

This dissertation critically evaluates the issue of the `silencing' of the subaltern woman in the 1988 version of Gayatri Spivak's essay `Can the Subaltern Speak?' The conclusions reached are then related to the novel The Purple Violet of Oshaantu by the Namibian woman writer Neshani Andreas. Chapter 1 deals with the essay `Can the Subaltern Speak?' and the `silenced' subaltern woman, examining both Spivak's theory on this issue as well as criticism of this theory by different postcolonial theorists. Chapter 2 presents aspects of both the creative and political practice of women, specifically the woman writer, in certain countries in Africa. Chapter 3 deals with the novel The Purple Violet of Oshaantu by Neshani Andreas and explores issues like the `silencing' of the subaltern women in the novel, opposition to patriarchal oppression and the engendering of agency by both the writer and the characters in the novel. / English Studies / M. A. (English)

Hierdie studie ondersoek die beroepsgeleenthede vir literatuurgraduandi in postapartheid Suid-Afrika. Die subjekvorming van literatuurstudente en -dosente word ondersoek deur ideologie-kritiese analises van akademiese en politieke diskoers. Uit die analises blyk 'n kloof tussen die wêreld van werk en die akademiese ivoortoring, tussen brood en boeke. Dit blyk dat diskoers uit die beroepswêreld nie die ivoortoring deurdring en die literêr-akademiese diskoers insemineer nie. Die kloof word toegeskryf aan akademiese magsverhoudings wat subjekvorming reguleer, en aan die ideologiese prosesse waarmee literatore gemarginaliseer word in die "regte wêreld". As 'n eerste stap ondersoek die studie die akademie as 'n kerngesin en pas Luce lrigaray se feministiese psigoanalise toe op die verhouding tussen dosente en studente. Die gevolgtrekking is dat literatuurdosente die ekonomiese potensiaal van literatuurgraduandi uitsluit, om so hulle eie subjek nisse as houers van simboliese kapitaal vol te staan. Subjekvorming is 'n beweging vanaf die (akademiese) kerngesin in die wyer wêreld in. Daarom ondersoek die studie in 'n tweede stap hoe literatuurgraduandi se subjekvorming plaasvind in die drie ideologiese staatsapparate (ISA's) van Althusser (ekonomie, onderwys en politiek). Hieruit spruit insigte oor identiteitsvorming in die spanningsvelde tussen kapitalisme, postkolonialisme, neokolonialisasie en globalisasie. Dit blyk dat literatuurgraduandi goed kan vaar in ruwe nuwe ekonomiese terreine soos ontwikkelingswerk, omgewingsonderwys, kennisbestuur en elektroniese joernalistiek. Hulle is egter nie bewus van hierdie beroepsgeleenthede nie, as gevolg van die kloof tussen brood en boeke. Om die kloof te oorbrug, beveel die studie in 'n derde stap aan dat literatuuronderrigdoelstellings eksplisiet vertaal moet word tot beroepsvaardighede. Om literatuurdosente te help om doelstellings te formuleer wat begeerlik is op die arbeidsmark, is 'n interaktiewe rekenaarprogram ontwikkel as deel van die studie. Dit is beskikbaar op die internet by http://www.smartt.co.za/wizz/wizz.htm Literatuurdosente kan die kloof ook oorbrug deur studente te bemagtig deur middel van die dialogiese onderrigmetode, soos ontwikkel deur bevrydinspedagoog Paulo Freire. Verder kan dosente die magsverhoudings van die akademie dekonstrueer en as radikale dosent onderrig bied in dissent en diskursiewe vaardighede. Dissent en diskursiewe vaardighede is ook kosbaar op die arbeidsmark, en aktiveer literatuurdosente en -studente se vryheid en verantwoordelikheid om hulle eie subjek nisse te bepaal en etiese plekke in te neem as kritiese en revolusionêre intellektueles. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Applied Language and Literary Studies))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2002

Postkoloniale Theorie bezeichnet ein breites Spektrum theoretischer Zugänge zu und kritischer Auseinandersetzungen mit historischen und gegenwärtigen Machtverhältnissen, die im Zusammenhang mit dem europäischen Kolonialismus und seinen bis heute währenden Fortschreibungen stehen. Als Gründungsdokument postkolonialer Theorie gilt Edward Saids Studie „Orientalism“ (1978). Postkoloniale feministische Theorie fokussiert auf die Situation von Frauen bzw. auf vergeschlechtlichte Identitäten in (neo-)kolonialen Settings. Neben der Konstruktion von Gender und Geschlechterrollen sind Sexualität und Begehren wichtige Topoi postkolonialer Theorie. Ein weiteres Themenfeld stellt die Dekonstruktion eurozentrischen / westlichen Wissens dar.

Hierdie studie ondersoek die beroepsgeleenthede vir literatuurgraduandi in postapartheid Suid-Afrika. Die subjekvorming van literatuurstudente en -dosente word ondersoek deur ideologie-kritiese analises van akademiese en politieke diskoers. Uit die analises blyk 'n kloof tussen die wêreld van werk en die akademiese ivoortoring, tussen brood en boeke. Dit blyk dat diskoers uit die beroepswêreld nie die ivoortoring deurdring en die literêr-akademiese diskoers insemineer nie. Die kloof word toegeskryf aan akademiese magsverhoudings wat subjekvorming reguleer, en aan die ideologiese prosesse waarmee literatore gemarginaliseer word in die "regte wêreld". As 'n eerste stap ondersoek die studie die akademie as 'n kerngesin en pas Luce lrigaray se feministiese psigoanalise toe op die verhouding tussen dosente en studente. Die gevolgtrekking is dat literatuurdosente die ekonomiese potensiaal van literatuurgraduandi uitsluit, om so hulle eie subjek nisse as houers van simboliese kapitaal vol te staan. Subjekvorming is 'n beweging vanaf die (akademiese) kerngesin in die wyer wêreld in. Daarom ondersoek die studie in 'n tweede stap hoe literatuurgraduandi se subjekvorming plaasvind in die drie ideologiese staatsapparate (ISA's) van Althusser (ekonomie, onderwys en politiek). Hieruit spruit insigte oor identiteitsvorming in die spanningsvelde tussen kapitalisme, postkolonialisme, neokolonialisasie en globalisasie. Dit blyk dat literatuurgraduandi goed kan vaar in ruwe nuwe ekonomiese terreine soos ontwikkelingswerk, omgewingsonderwys, kennisbestuur en elektroniese joernalistiek. Hulle is egter nie bewus van hierdie beroepsgeleenthede nie, as gevolg van die kloof tussen brood en boeke. Om die kloof te oorbrug, beveel die studie in 'n derde stap aan dat literatuuronderrigdoelstellings eksplisiet vertaal moet word tot beroepsvaardighede. Om literatuurdosente te help om doelstellings te formuleer wat begeerlik is op die arbeidsmark, is 'n interaktiewe rekenaarprogram ontwikkel as deel van die studie. Dit is beskikbaar op die internet by http://www.smartt.co.za/wizz/wizz.htm Literatuurdosente kan die kloof ook oorbrug deur studente te bemagtig deur middel van die dialogiese onderrigmetode, soos ontwikkel deur bevrydinspedagoog Paulo Freire. Verder kan dosente die magsverhoudings van die akademie dekonstrueer en as radikale dosent onderrig bied in dissent en diskursiewe vaardighede. Dissent en diskursiewe vaardighede is ook kosbaar op die arbeidsmark, en aktiveer literatuurdosente en -studente se vryheid en verantwoordelikheid om hulle eie subjek nisse te bepaal en etiese plekke in te neem as kritiese en revolusionêre intellektueles. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Applied Language and Literary Studies))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2002