DEPARTMENT OF PERFORMING ARTS AND FILM PRODUCTION

FACULTY OF ART
KWARA STATE UNIVERSITY, MALETE

Name: Salami Olatunji Yusuf Matric no: 20/27vp/00363

Course code: Pfa 411 Course title: Theories of the modern Theatre

QUESTION;
Write a one page note on the percept of Gayatry Spivak and Hamhi BhaBha regarding
post-colonialism.

Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak and Homi K. Bhabha are two of the most prominent scholars in the
field of post-colonial studies. They are widely known for their contributions to post-colonial
theory, which aims to understand the effects of colonialism on the colonized societies and their
cultures.One of the main ideas that both Spivak and Bhabha emphasize is the need to challenge
the Western-centric view of the world. They argue that colonialism did not just result in the
exploitation of the colonized people, but also in the imposition of Western ideologies and values
on them. These ideologies and values have had a lasting impact on many aspects of post-colonial
societies, including their political, social, and economic systems. Spivak, in particular, is
interested in the concept of the subaltern. She argues that colonialism not only resulted in the
economic exploitation of colonized people, but also led to the erasure of their cultural identities.
According to Spivak, the subaltern refers to the marginalized and oppressed groups in society
whose voices have been silenced by the dominant cultural and political forces. She sees the role
of post-colonial scholars as giving voice to the subaltern and challenging the dominant cultural
narratives.
Bhabha, on the other hand, is interested in the concept of hybridity. He argues that
colonialism did not result in the complete destruction of traditional cultures but rather led to the
creation of new hybrid cultures that incorporate both Western and traditional elements. Bhabha
sees these hybrid cultures as a way for post-colonial societies to navigate the tension between the
legacy of colonialism and their own cultural identities. In conclusion, Spivak and Bhabha's work
on post-colonialism has had a significant impact on our understanding of the effects of
colonialism on post-colonial societies. They both emphasize the importance of challenging the
dominant cultural narratives and recognizing the complexities of post-colonial societies. Their
work has also been influential in the fields of literary criticism, cultural studies, and
anthropology.