Postcolonialism

The analysis of post colonial themes in the graphic novel Red Son

Postcolonial Criticism

Colonialism is a powerful, often destructive historical force that shapes

not only the political futures of the countries involved but also the
identities of colonized and colonizing people.

Successful colonialism depends on a process of Othering the people

colonized. That is, the colonized people are seen as dramatically
different from and lesser than the colonizer.

Because of this, literature written by the colonized people often includes

attempts to articulate more empowered identities and reclaim cultures in
the face of colonization.

(Appleman, 151)

Postcolonial theory has developed as a critical reassessment of the legacy

of colonialism and imperialism in relations between the West and the Third
World.
Russia and Poland have been perceived both as colonizers

Russia acts as both an empire and the subaltern, depending on the situation

Russia regularly criticizes the West for its interventionism.

In modern culture, Russia has experienced a cultural colonization, not by

guns or God, so to speak, but by goods and products.

Colonizing Elements

The United States is near social collapse but the Soviet Union is
powerful except for its infringement of individual liberties

Superman Robots- The people undergo a brain surgery and they

function just as they should

Batman is a terrorist and joins forces with Luthor

The new philosophy of "Luthorism" forms a "Global United States.

Discussion Questions

How are the colonized people within Red Son portrayed? How is the
process of colonization portrayed?

Consider what images of Others or process of Othering are present

within the novel. How are the Others portrayed?

What conflicts are seen between the colonized and the colonizer?

Colonizing the Mind

Colonizing the Mind

Language is a central question in postcolonial studies. Many

postcolonial scholars detail the practice of imposing the colonizers own
native languages onto the people they colonized.

Frantz Fanon- Decolonizing the Mind

The Superman robots are physically being colonized in their minds

because they are Soviet citizens lobotomized and fitted with cybernetic
implants as punishment for speaking or acting against the Soviet
regime.