What happens after the empire leaves? What are the lasting scars of colonisation? How does a nation reclaim its voice and its identity after centuries of foreign domination? These
Faglig kvalitetssikret av lærere og toppstudenter · Følger læreplanen (LK20) · Sist oppdatert 2026-07-16
Introduction
What happens after the empire leaves? What are the lasting scars of colonisation? How does a nation reclaim its voice and its identity after centuries of foreign domination? These are the central questions explored by post-colonial literature. This vast and vibrant body of work emerged in the mid-20th century, as former colonies across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean gained their independence. Post-colonial literature is written by authors from these nations, and it directly engages with the complex and often painful legacy of colonialism. It is a literature of resistance, of reclamation, and of re-writing history from the perspective of the formerly colonised.
Learning objectives
After reading this article, you should be able to:
- Define post-colonial literature and its historical context.
- Identify the major themes commonly explored in post-colonial writing.
- Explain the concept of "writing back" to the empire.
- Analyse the complex role of the English language in post-colonial literature.
- Provide examples of key post-colonial authors and their works.
A Literature of Response
Post-colonial literature is fundamentally a literature of response. It is a direct reaction and response to the experience of colonialism. For centuries, the history and culture of the colonised peoples were depicted through the eyes of the colonisers. In European literature, Africa was often portrayed as the "dark continent," a primitive place without history or culture, and its people were often stereotyped as savage or childlike. Post-colonial literature seeks to dismantle these racist and condescending representations. It gives voice to those who were silenced and tells the story of colonialism from their point of view. …