First published 1993
In this groundbreaking study, renowned scholar Edward Said reveals the inseparable bond between Western culture and the imperial project. From the novels of Jane Austen to the poems of Kipling, he traces how the "consolidated vision" of colonial rule permeated the creative works of the era, justifying and entrenching the subjugation of distant lands and peoples. Yet Said also spotlights the "oppositional strain" of native writers who fought back, reclaiming their stories and dignity in the very languages of their oppressors. A revelatory look at how power, identity, and the creative impulse are inextricably intertwined.
Genres: history, literary-criticism, non-fiction, cultural-studies
Vibes: academic, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: academic-study, critical-analysis, cultural-critique
Setting: Caribbean, Europe, India, Kenya, Malaysia, British colonies, French colonies, European colonies
Period: 18th century, 19th century, 20th century
380 pages · Paperback · Vintage
Content warnings: colonialism