Dangerous Tools Class #4
Post-Colonial Theory
Today’s Agenda:
So, next week we will begin our presentations, and I am looking forward to them. We also need to start thinking about our final research paper, which is going to be due on the last day of class.
As is stated on our Policy and Procedure Page:
Research Paper:
This paper will build on your short research paper. It will propose a mature literary argument capable of sustaining the critical scrutiny of your peers. The length will be 7-8 pages, and you will need to use 8-10 secondary sources.
I want to talk a little bit about this paper, and how to approach it.
First, it is important that we take up the many literary terms that we learned in Eh 112, and then think about some of the new concepts we have learned this semester. One could, as we did with the short paper, find ways to talk about how an author uses or utilizes one or more of the Eh 112 terms in this paper, but one can also now choose some of the new theoretical frames we have been learning about: Psychoanalysis, Feminism, Queer Theory and Marxism. We might use topics like the Oedipal Complex, The Oceanic Experience, Gender Roles, Gender Relates, Marx’s Class System to approach these texts. I will let you use any text other than the one you wrote your last paper on.
What I essentially want us to do is 1) identify HOW a concept we learned about in 112 FUNCTIONS in terms of ONE of the theories we have been learning about. For example, how does a SYMBOL in CHAUCER or SHELLY lend to the text’s MARXIST or PSYCHOANALYTIC possibilities or MEANINGS.
Over the past few classes, we’ve gained a little bit of experience with these theories, and we will spend some time today with another very exciting concept – Post-Colonial Theory. However, what I want to do right now is give you a chance to write a journal entry on the following topic:
1) Which text are you thinking about writing your paper on, and how might you approach that text with a theoretical framework we have learned about over the past two weeks?
Group Discussion
New Concept: POST-COLONIAL Theory
What is Post-Colonial theory, and why should I care?
In a nutshell, Post-Colonial theory recognizes that when you oppress someone, you think about them and represen them in ways that distort the reality of who they actually are. (Notice that while there are 4 women in this picture, only one is DISTINCT>)
It recognizes that, when you are oppressed by someone, you think about them and write about them in ways that distort the reality of who they actually are.
(Notice that both the oppressors and oppressed in this image ALL LOOK THE SAME, even though they are all certainly distinct individuals. Once you begin to wonder why this is the case, you have started to engage post-colonial theory)
Probably the best example of this for Americans to consider is the example of how the early Native Americans and, later, African-American Slaves, were envisioned by the early European settlers – they were generally identified and described as beasts and monsters WHILE they were being oppressed. At the same time, these same groups were generally unable to understand who their oppressors were because they were being oppressed by them.
Post-Colonial theory holds that we always consider the people who oppress us or have some power over us as an “Other“. “Others” are people distinct from ourselves and our groups who impact our lives in significant ways. The word “they” is often used to connote “otherness.” Post-colonialism is an attempt to understand how a people write about and think about Others, and how these understandings shape our views of the world. So one word you need to know and understand today is ‘Other’
The next word you need to be familiar with is “Hybrid.” The hybrid represents an intermingling of cultures. Hybrids tend to stand out within society, because their place within it is not clear, they do not clearly belong to one group or another – a lot like Jane as she moves from class to class. Do you remember a long time ago when I pointed out how weird it can be to use a word that no one else you are speaking with knows? Well, that is the experience of “hybridity” of being both within the group and outside of the group at the same time.
Let’s apply our new understanding of post-colonial theory to Jane Eyre, how might it be applied to increase our understanding the text.
Class Discussion.
[...] Friday, April 3 [...]
Stefanie Foutch
Major British Writers
4/3/09
Academic Paper Ideas
For the next academic paper, I need to write, I would like to write about “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley. I have three ideas that I could use, Psychoanalysis (focusing on the Oceanic Feeling), Queer Theory, or Marxism. I am not positive yet on which one I am going to use, but those are the three that I have in mind.
If I were to use Psychoanalysis, I would mostly talk about the Oceanic Feeling. Throughout the entire book, the monster was always searching for perfect happiness. He was abandoned and shunned upon by the entire world. He was always hiding and always unhappy. The monster wanted to be happy and loved; he wanted to life a life full of joy. Even though the monster was never in a womb, he still was searching for happiness, and he wanted to kind of kill Frankenstein.
Another theory that I could use is the Queer Theory. Victor Frankenstein is best friends with Henry Clerval. They seem to be good friends, but it is somewhat suspicious. The reader could almost say that the two men are in love. They almost seem to have a thing for each other, except they never admit it, or truly show it. In addition, Frankenstein is reluctant to marry Elizabeth, and when he does finally marry her, he seems to be not so happy about it. All of these things could lead to a Queer Theory reading of the book.
The next literary tool I could use is Marxism. Throughout the entire book, Frankenstein does a lot of traveling. However, he never questions where the money could come form to pay for his trips. He never worries about the money. Never once, throughout the book, do any thoughts cross Frankenstein’s mind about how he can get the money together. Victor Frankenstein seems to be part of the bourgeoisie. Frankenstein is part of the upper-class society.
I still have some thinking to do, but those would be the three ideas I have so far. Maybe once I learn more literary tools I will consider another one. For now, I am still debating between Phsycoanalysis, Queer Theory, and Marxism.
Tim Mcguire
eh241
I am thinking about Jane Eyre for my final research paper. I would approach it from a Marxist perspective. I see a lot of class biases and struggles in this text. Right from the beginning the Aunt treats Jane like crap before sending her of to Low Wood. Low Wood itself seems designed as a factory to create good little proletariats. It doesn’t really teach the girls to be good at anything other than being obedient.
Jane herself even seems to buy into the class basis. At one point before she meets Miss Ingram she paints a portrait of herself and Miss Ingram. The portraits basically portray how wonderful Miss Ingram is because she is a wealthy “much accomplished” lady of high standing. Though it never actually says what if anything she has ever accomplished. It’s as if being born rich was some great endeavor and virtue in and of itself.
She later seems to rebel against this idea when she declares herself an equal to Mr. Rochester right before accepting his marriage proposal. This supports the Marxist idea that the proletariat will fight back. However her resistance to this proposal and her inability to take it seriously at first show how hard ingrained her social values are. Mrs. Fairfax’s reaction to the marriage was a little bit of a shock to me at first. I expected her to be happy about the wedding and instead she wasn’t. I think because it violated the social norms of her culture she was unable to express the happiness that should have accompanied the announcement. I would have thought she would have been happy despite this though because she seemed to like Jane a lot Adele a lot and Miss Ingram want not exactly nice to any of the servants.
Later Rochester tries to adorn her with jewelry and fine clothes. I believe that Jane is unable to accept these because she believes herself as part of the proletariat unworthy of wearing clothes of the bourgeois class. I think that she sees them as symbols of the elite which she does not see herself as part of and so feels wrong wearing those symbols falsely.
I also might come at this next academic paper with somewhat of a feminist reading. I find myself thinking of The Yellow Wall Paper a lot. It is probably because of the crazy lady in the attic. I wonder who she is, and why she is there. Does it have anything to do with the rest cure? Mr. Rochester’s house is certainly situated comfortable in the country like the one in The Yellow Wall Paper. I might also explore some of the roles portrayed by the many female characters in this book as well. I found the idea of separate tracks for bourgeois and proletariat men in women mentioned in class very interesting.
Benjamin McGray
EH 241
Adam Crowley
April 6, 2009
The past few days have been a pretty frustrating game of “pin the theory to the text”. Throughout this battle of ideas there seems to be one theory and one text that has continually surfaced through the mental fog. It appears as though the most interesting match would be to attack the book Jane Eyre through the scope of Marxism. Jane Eyre seems to be dripping with Marxist material, and there are multiple elements of the novel that can be used to establish an argument.
One element is that of the symbolic nature of Lowood and how it seems to reflect a Marxist society. The school is run by a seemingly bourgeois overlord named Mr. Brocklhurst whose agenda appears to be, and admittedly so, to confine the young female students to a lower, proletariat, class life-style. Brocklehurst says at one point that he aimed to give them an education that would prepare them for a life that was within their means to expect as lower class beings (paraphrase). This seems to be a great example of what Marx would call the conflict between the two classes. Eventually disease plagues the school and many of the girls die, which gets the attention of citizens around the town and upon seeing how horrible the conditions for the students are they step in and take control away from Brocklhurst. Now, if that isn’t a representation of a revolution like the one Marx says is inevitable as a result of the conflict of classes than I don’t know what would be.
There are other elements that I have not worked out in as much detail however are still just as interesting to consider. Helen Burns, for instance, could be viewed as a more specific symbol of the Marxist struggle at Lowood, or perhaps would be better suited to be incorporated into the larger Lowood argument, but still should be looked at none the less. Also there seems to be a theme of feminism in Jane Eyre. Female characters seem to be repeatedly having to prove their competency. And the author, Charlotte Bronte, suggests that maybe women should aspire to personal fulfillment, and identity rather than relying on the hollow shell that is beauty. This is shown by the failures of both miss Ingram and Georgiana in their personal lives (Georgiana’s failure being more in personal character than in accomplishment).
Of course there are other alternative ideas than those I have come up with for Jane Eyre. I have also looked at the text of Robinson Crusoe. I feel there are some arguments to be made about the Marxist plot that seems to take place. Crusoe is said to be middle class in the start of the book and goes on to become quite wealthy. When he is stranded on the island, however, he is forced to go from middle class to the proletariat class out of necessity. We then see through his industriousness that he works himself, in a way, back into a life of luxury. This calls into question the need for a middle class when by working for one ’s self they have the ability to provide a life of substantial happiness.
I am thinking about writing on Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe for my final research paper. In my paper I thought about discussing the plot/events and the oceanic theory or the marxist theory. These are the two theories that came to mind first. If I were to talk about Crusoe and the oceanic theory, I think I would talk about him leaving home and his regrets later on in the story, and at times wanting to go back home wishing he never left. The oceanic state is a state of happiness. Crusoe was happy and knew he was safe and comfortable at home where he wasn’t taking risks. If i were to write my paper on Crusoe and the marxist theory, I would talk about something like his dad saying the “middle class” is where to be and how crusoe goes to the island and becomes wealthy and has everything he needs. Before writing my post I tried to search the theories relating to Crusoe. I found most of the information on postcolonial theory which I am not sure how I would relate to Crusoe. I plan on staying with oceanic or marxist if I can find more/different sources.
Adam Crowley
EH 241 – Major British Authors
6 April 2009
Feminism and Marxism in “Jane Eyre”
Because I am not sure as to which of the two theories I prefer, I have decided to concentrate on both within my project paper. I believe both play an equally important role in the text because both are revolutionary ideas in the time period. they also serve as probably the most important and predominant theories in this story.
In “Jane Eyre,” a motif seems to come up often and that is “Independence.” Independence seems to be repeated throughout the text and I believe it is the strongest role in Feminism seen in this book. Jane often finds herself struggling through hardships which prevent her from becoming who she really is. Her talents and strengths are held from her because “it is not proper” during her time to do certain things as a woman. A very similar way of thinking can be seen through the Marxist portion of the book. Often, Jane is told she cannot or has to do something because her class is not proper for a certain thing. In other words, Jane is a proletariat (in comparison to the other people in this story) and must live like one. She is often prevented from a higher stature because of this. For example, one of her family member was going to leave Jane with his fortune but Mrs. Reed, a bourgeoisies, prevented her from it by lying to her relative.
I will include motifs, theories, and other language which we have learned this year in order to back my thesis. I will also use many literary scholars from the internet to supplement my beliefs by offering their experience with “Jane Eyre.” I will also include the “Communist Manifesto” and other scholarly writings about Marxism. Finally, I will include scholarly insight on Feminist theory as well as any other supporting information which I can find helpful to prove my point(s).
Sarah Rackliffe
EH 241
Professor Crowley
April 6, 2009
Final Paper Ideas
For my final paper my first consideration is to do Jane Eyre for my book. If I chose Jane Eyre I plan to write my paper on the Marxist/socialist point of view in this story. In Jayne Eyre you see a lot of the proletariats and the bourgeois going at it. You definitely see a lot of the Bourgeois talking down to the proletariats. Lady Ingram talks down to Jane quite a bit in this book calling her stupid and poking fun at her around all of her and Rochester’s friends. At one point she doesn’t even refer to her as a person but to as ‘that’. You also see Jane wanting to change her social class just because she is marrying Rochester. She feels that she is not good enough for Rochester because of her social class. You also see some of Rochester trying to make her more of that person that he would be expected to marry.
Another book I’m looking at doing is Frankenstein. In Frankenstein I would plan of focusing on the oceanic feeling. Frankenstein’s monster seems to be lost in his world. He never felt that oceanic feeling that all humans get to feel. Because of not feeling the oceanic feeling he doesn’t have the purpose that most humans have to get back to that safe protected feeling. Frankenstein’s monster had to learn how a human is raised by secretly watching a group of humans; he realizes that he never had that father figure that most humans have. I want to take this oceanic feeling and try and compare it to why he acts the way he does. I also want to look at it by the way Frankenstein’s monster follows his creator and not even try and go out and make a life of his own. Maybe he is trying to get back to that feeling of when he first woke up. I also believe that the monster see his creator as a failure. Frankenstein did not give his monster what he needed to survive so the monster sees him as a failure, just the way the Oedipus complex says we do.
After many of the readings this semester I feel ii have a good grasp on most ideas and themes behind each. It has been interesting to discover the specific themes and motifs of Crusoe and Frankenstein and these themes have helped to shape each novel to what they are. After learning about literary techniques like psychoanalytical and Marxist point of view, it is even more interesting to look back at the stories we have read and further understand what the average reader may not have picked up on.
I have decided to look back at my favorite novel we have read thus far, Frankenstein. I am looking to apply the psychoanalytical approach to Victor and his monster, while tying in how this all relates to the theme of solitude. I feel that this theme is what differentiates Victor and his monster from other characters in the novel, but is also what relates the two because it is the solitude they were subject to that created whom they were.
The character Victor always spoke of his home and how beautiful it was and belabored the point that he always wished to be home. I believe that this is Victor’s attempt to get back to the “Oceanic Feeling” that home elicits for him. There is also a quote when he is in a city where Victor states that he would rather be home than in a city. I will also argue that Victor’s reasoning behind creating the monster was because of his loss of his mother. Because he lost his mother (the bringer of the Oceanic Feeling), Victor now needs the person that epitomizes that feeling that he seeks. I will also argue that because of this reasoning behind why Victor created the monster, he also secretly loves and wishes to be with and understand his creation.
The monster spends most of his early life (childhood for most others) in solitude observing others. I am going to argue that because Victor is the monster’s neglectful creator, that Victor is seen by the monster as both mother and father, thus the monster wishes to be with his creator (based on his last lines in the novel and his actions evading the Victor) but he also wants to kill and destroy his master (based on his actions murdering people and framing the girl).
I will also seek to use the Post-Colonial approach to help better understand the actions of both Victor and his monster.
Meghann Peterson
April 5, 2009
Professor Crowley
Theory in Jane Eyre
I think that applying theory to Jane Eyre opens up the meaning of the book to level not attainable through biographical criticism. It seems like all of the theory we have learned about so far can be applied to the story of Jane Eyre. The two that are the most applicable are Marxist criticism and Feminist criticism. Since the book is one of the first to deal mainly with female characters and their lives it seems natural to read it in a feminist light. I have read that some people do not consider Jane Eyre to be a feminist author because Bronte herself was not concerned with the feminist movement. I do not think the authors intentions are the sole reason for considering a piece in a certain way. I don’t know that Bronte intentionally explored the idea of class inequalities either but it is a present theme in the book.
I think that any book with women characters can been read with feminist theory in mind, if it is in the discourse surrounding the female characters roles or the lack of discourse, it is still significant. Jane Eyre is considered a piece of feminist literature because it shows how Jane’s role as a female makes her either part of the group or an “other”. Jane is an “other” throughout most of the book for both feminist reasons and Marxist reasons. She is not like the other women in the book in that her role is not clearly defined. Can she be equal to Rochester who is both socially above her and above her because of his status as a man? And how does Rochester have to change so that they can be together? The fact that Jane does not choose to marry Saint John when her status dictates that she should shows that she does not conform to the role her gender is supposed to allow her. There is another woman in the book that does not want to conform to societies expectations of her and she ends up locked in the attic. These are the consequences we are shown for defying the standards put forth for women. The real conventions allowed for women at this time are played out by the characters of Eliza and Georgina. Both girls have the choice to either get married to a man that asks them or join a convent. These are their options, period. Eliza does not find a husband and joins a convent. Georgina chooses the other path and is married. These are not the only options for Jane and this is because of her class status.
Jane is not an upper class women, she has an ambiguous class standing. Because of her ambiguity she is not limited to only marriage or nunnery. She can get a job, although her job opportunities are limited. She can be a governess, which is the perfect ambiguous job for a woman with ambiguous standing. She is neither servent nor family. She is expected to teach the knowledge of the upper class without being a part of it. She is expected to take part in the social pleasantries of the upper class without really being accepted. She has to know what their lives are like so that she can teach Adele the proper way to act but she is not accepted by that group. The women who are servants in the house are nice to her but she is not really part of their world either. She is caught in limbo between the two worlds because she is not definable. She is what we call a “hybrid”, an other to both worlds.
For my final paper for this semester, I’m thinking about researching and writing about Frankenstein using the Psychoanalysis theory.
The reason why I would like to talk about this novel using the psychoanalytic theory is because I will be able to get in depth about the characters and there motives throughout the book. I will also be able to break down the monster and how he is trying to constantly achieve the “oceanic experience” for complete and total happiness.
I also believe that Victor, was trying to replace a constant void in his own life by creating the monster, but instead he created a creature that compressed him socially.
Looking at this novel from a psychoanalytic perspective might create a new image for what this novel actually is, and find deeper elements and meanings for the motives and characters.
I am going to be diving into the literary theory of psychoanalysis or “psychoanalytic”. Best known to be pioneered by Sigmund Freud. The text I have chosen is Frankenstien by Mary Shelly. I chose this text because there are a handful of characters in this novel that I’m sure Freud would have loved for them to lay on his famous couch. I’m going to approach my paper by first talking about Frankenstien and diving into his acts, thoughts, and emotions and talk about the Oedipal complex and even the oceanic experience. I can tie these schools of psychology in by many of his letters and actions and how he felt right after he created the monster.
Probably my best character that I am going to talk about and dissect his theory will be the monster. The monster has no home, no family, and does not know his identity but is in constant search of something. I think I will find it interesting if I discover articles that talk about this. Im hoping that I can tie Freud’s beliefs and his school of psychology into the inner “thinkings” of the monster.
I also think I will talk about Walton and his actions and thoughts when he is on the boat while traveling to the Pole. Although he is not really a “playing character” in the plot, well actually he is, (what I mean by “playing character” is that he does not know all the people in the novel, he only gets one aspect of the story which is told to him by Frankenstien). Walton though is a major character in the sense that he is also, like the monster, searching for something in a quest to better understand his beginnings or his inner working (mind).
Out of all the novels I think psychoanalytic theory school of thought would work best for Frankenstien. Shelly does an amazing job of bringing the characters thoughts and motifs to light. By doing this, she has created an almost (in my mind) a psychoanalytical thriller.
Also I like the psychoanalytical theory best because when I read a novel, I try to see the thoughts and actions of the characters that is not printed in the text. Like any Freudian, they would use these thoughts and actions to better understand the text even though it may not be printed in the novel.
Lisa Randall
For my final paper for this semester, I plan to be writing about ‘Jane Eyre’ from the Post-Colonial perspective. In my paper I plan to show how Jane was a part of the hybrid class in society. I also plan to write on how the characters throughout the story change when put in a different setting and how some of the characters stay the same throughout different settings. For example, Jane, who sometimes changes depending on the settings around her. In one setting, she is a defiant child in a separate household, and the next she is an obedient child at school, and making friends. In my paper I wish to explore the different roles certain characters play that effect how Jane acts and makes her decisions.
Kacey Beckwith
April 9, 2009
Eh 241: Major British Authors
Professor Adam Crowley
Paper Ideas
I am planning to write my final paper over Jane Eyre. While looking at this text, I am thinking of analyzing it in terms of the Queer Theory. I think this theory is very interesting and I can see different places where this theory could easily be looked at in regards to Jane Eyre.
One situation that I found extremely interesting and very fitting in terms of Queer Theory is the situation in the book where Mr. Rochester is almost killed. His room is set on fire and Jane realizes that there is danger. She goes to help Mr. Rochester but she cannot wake him. So, Jane attempts to put the fire out with water, which finally awakens him. Once the situation was taken care of, the two characters quickly realize that they are in a bedroom, in the middle of the night, alone with one another. This makes the situation take a rapid change. The two soon become very awkward around each other and act very differently than they previously had. Mr. Rochester offers Jane a garment to cover up in. He says it is to keep her warm, but it can also be looked at as a way for Jane to cover herself, since it wouldn’t have been looked at as very proper of her to be in her nightdress in Mr. Rochester’s bedroom. The situation takes an even more uncomfortable turn when Mr. Rochester thanks Jane for saving his life. He takes her hand and looks into her eyes; two things that clearly make Jane very uncomfortable. She wants to escape as soon as possible and she is able to make her exit quickly.
After this situation has taken place, the two characters seem to be acting as if nothing ever happened between them. There was obviously a moment of slight intimacy. However, the two seem to be going on as if it never took place. Mr. Rochester leaves as well, so the two do not even encounter each other much for some time.
This is a situation that lines up very nicely with Queer Theory. It is obvious that, because of who the characters were and where they happened to be, they acted differently with one another than they would have if they had been somewhere else. There is so much to analyze with just this one situation.