Assignment Paper: 22410 Paper 205A: Cultural Studies

Name: Nilay Rathod

Roll No: 17

Enrollment No.: 4069206420210030

Paper: 22410 Paper 205A: Cultural Studies

Sem 3: (Batch 2021-23)

Submitted to: Smt S.B. Gardi Department of English, M.K. Bhavnagar University

 Cultural Studies and Its Goals

What is Cultural Studies:

According to M. H. Abrams Cultural studies designates a cross-disciplinary enterprise for analyzing the conditions that affect the production, reception, and cultural significance of all types of institutions, practices, and products; among these, literature is accounted as merely one of many forms of cultural “signifying practices.” A chief concern is to specify the functioning of the social, economic, and political forces and power structures that are said to produce the diverse forms of cultural phenomena and to endow them with their social “meanings,” their acceptance as “truth,” the modes of discourse in which they are discussed, and their relative value and status.

According to 'A Dictionary of Critical Theory' “An interdisciplinary approach to the study and analysis of culture understood very broadly to include not only specific texts, but also practices, and indeed ways of life.” The Most influential Works: Lawrence Grossberg, Cary Nelson, and Paula Treichler’s mammoth Cultural Studies (1991) and introductory textbooks like John Fiske’s Reading the Popular (1989) These works reflects not only the heterogeneous nature of work calling itself Cultural Studies, but the fact that in a very real sense Cultural Studies is theoretically provisional and avant-garde. (Buchanan)

Cultural studies is an interdisciplinary field that combines critical analysis of culture with political economy and the study of power relations. It emerged in the early 1980s from the work of the Birmingham School of Cultural Studies, which was founded by Richard Hoggart, Stuart Hall, and others.

Since then, it has been adopted as a framework for studies of media, communication, and popular culture in countries around the world.

Critical approaches to cultural studies examine how power is reproduced and resisted through cultural artifacts and practices. They attend to the ways that dominant groups use culture to maintain their power, and how subaltern groups can use culture to challenge or resist domination.

Quotes from well-known cultural studies scholars highlight the importance of power relations in understanding culture:

"Culture is not a lived experience, it is a relationship between social practices and relations of domination." (Stuart Hall)

"Culture is produced and consumed in the context of unequal social relations." (Paul Gilroy)

"Cultural studies is, in part, an attempt to theorize the relationship between culture and power." (Stuart Hall)

"Cultural studies is not a discipline, it's an anti-discipline." (Richard Hoggart)

These scholars suggest that culture cannot be understood outside of the context of power relations. This is a departure from traditional approaches to the study of culture, which tend to focus on the evaluation of cultural artifacts and practices.

In adopting a critical approach to cultural studies, scholars have been able to provide a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between culture and power. This has led to a greater understanding of the ways that culture is used to maintain and challenge social inequalities.

What Cultural Critics Do?

A cultural critic is "a theorist who studies and writes about culture" (Eagleton, 1991, p. 8). They may also be referred to as "intellectuals" (du Gay, 1996, p. 9). A cultural critic's job is to "deconstruct" (Eagleton, 1991, p. 8) or "critique" (du Gay, 1996, p. 9) different aspects of culture. This includes but is not limited to art, literature, music, TV, film, and fashion. 

Cultural critics often work within the field of cultural studies. This is an interdisciplinary field that "emerged in the 1960s out of a specific resistance to conventional disciplines" (Hall, 1997, p. 9). It is concerned with the ways in which "social life is made and understood" (Hall, 1997, p. 9). Cultural studies scholars are interested in popular culture, as well as "subordinate" or "subaltern" cultures ( those which are relatively powerless or marginalized within a society).

Many cultural critics are engaged in what is known as " critical theory." This approach "seeks to illuminate the structures of domination and control which operate in any given society" (Eagleton, 1991, p. 9). Critical theorists are interested in "how power is distributed within society, and how it might be redistributed" (Eagleton, 1991, p. 9).

Cultural critics often write for a general audience, as opposed to a academic one. This means that their writing is usually more accessible and less jargon-heavy than that of other scholars. It also allows them to reach a wider audience with their ideas.

Some well-known cultural critics include Terry Eagleton, Stuart Hall, and Paul du Gay.

Cultural criticism has a long history. It can be traced back to the days of Plato and Aristotle. However, it was not until the 18th century that the term "cultural critic" came into use. The first person to use this term was the German philosopher Karl Marx.

Marx believed that culture was determined by economic factors. This means that the wealthy classes were able to control the cultural output of a society. For Marx, cultural critics were those who worked to expose the ways in which the ruling classes used culture to maintain their power.

In the 20th century, the Frankfurt School of critical theory developed Marx's ideas further. The Frankfurt School was a group of scholars who were interested in questioning the assumptions of Western society. They believed that culture was used as a tool of oppression. Some of the most well-known members of the Frankfurt School include Theodor Adorno, Max Horkheimer, and Herbert Marcuse.

Cultural criticism has also been taken up by feminist scholars. Feminist cultural criticism "seeks to understand how gender relations are established and maintained through cultural practices" (Eagleton, 1991, p. 10).

Feminist cultural critics are interested in the ways in which women are represented in popular culture. They also seek to understand how women's lives are shaped by the cultural industries. Some well-known feminist cultural critics include Julia Kristeva, Teresa de Lauretis, and Judith Butler. Cultural criticism is an important tool for understanding the complexities of contemporary culture. It can be used to expose the ways in which power is used to control and oppress people. It can also be used to challenge dominant ideas and beliefs.

Goal of Cultural Studies:

Jeff Chang In What is Cultural Studies?, John Storey defines the field as "the study of the everyday lives of the people who create and consume culture" (p. 4). Chang, on the other hand, takes a more critical approach, arguing that cultural studies is "the interdisciplinary field that examines the production, consumption, and representation of culture" (p. 1). He goes on to say that it approaches the study of culture from a critical standpoint, in order to reveal how power and domination are produced and maintained through cultural practices and rituals.

The goals of cultural studies vary depending on the specific aims of the researcher, but all approaches share a commitment to understanding the complexities of culture and its impact on everyday life. In recent years, cultural studies has expanded its focus to include the study of digital and new media technologies, global culture, and the relationships between culture and other social phenomena such as race, gender, and class.

Cultural studies researchers use a variety of methods, including textual analysis, ethnography, and semiotics. They often draw on the work of critical theorists, Marxist scholars, and feminist scholars in order to understand how power is produced and maintained through cultural practices.

Cultural studies is the interdisciplinary field that examines the production, consumption, and representation of culture. It approaches the study of culture from a critical standpoint, in order to reveal how power and domination are produced and maintained through cultural practices and rituals.

The goals of cultural studies vary depending on the specific aims of the researcher, but all approaches share a commitment to understanding the complexities of culture and its impact on everyday life. In recent years, cultural studies has expanded its focus to include the study of digital and new media technologies, global culture, and the relationships between culture and other social phenomena such as race, gender, and class.

Cultural studies researchers use a variety of methods, including textual analysis, ethnography, and semiotics. They often draw on the work of critical theorists, Marxist scholars, and feminist scholars in order to understand how power is produced and maintained through cultural practices.

Wilfred Gurien in his A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature  describes Four Goals of studies:

Four Goals:

Cultural studies transcends the confines of a particular discipline such as literary criticism or history. 

Cultural studies is politically engaged.

Cultural studies denies the separation of “high” and “low” or elite and popular culture. Cultural studies analyzes not only the cultural work, but also the means of production.

Cultural studies extends beyond the boundaries of a single subject, such as literary criticism or history.

Cultural studies is not limited to a single subject or topic. According to the editors of Cultural Studies, Lawrence Crossberg, Cary Nelson, and Paula Treichler, the conceptual potential of cultural studies resides in its attempts to "cut across broad social and political concerns and confront many of the issues within the contemporary scene."

To study cultural phenomena in various societies and historical periods, cultural studies combines a variety of politically engaged critical approaches drawn from semiotics, Marxism, feminist theory, ethnography, post-structuralism, postcolonialism, social theory, political theory, history, philosophy, literary theory, media theory, film/video studies, communication studies, political economy, translation studies, museum studies, and art history/criticism.

How are Cultural studies politically engaged?  

Society operates within a cultural and political structure. Society is formed into power hierarchies, which raises the issue of social inequality. (or power as system of symbol) 

As Wilfred Guerin has noted “Cultural studies question inequalities within power structures and seek to discover models for restructuring relationships among dominant and "minority" or "subaltern" discourses. Because meaning and individual subjectivity are culturally constructed, they can thus be reconstructed.

Michel Foucault, a French philosopher, is considered an influential theorist of power and knowledge and how they are used as a form of social control. Jonathan Gaventa remarks, “His work marks a radical departure from previous modes of conceiving power and cannot be easily integrated with previous ideas, as power is diffuse rather than concentrated, embodied and enacted rather than possessed, discursive rather than purely coercive, and constitutes agents rather than being deployed by them.” Further he explains that for Foucault power is neither wielded by individuals nor by classes nor institutions – in fact, power is not ‘wielded’ at all. Instead, it is seen as dispersed and subject-less, as elements of broad ‘strategies’ but without individual authors.

Quotes on the goals of cultural studies:

"Cultural studies is not a discipline, but an anti-discipline... its task is not to generate theories but to deconstruct them."

- Stuart Hall

"Cultural studies ... is a site of struggle over the meaning and value of dominant and emergent cultural forms, practices and values."

- Lawrence Grossberg

"Cultural studies is, at its best, a site of productive tension between commitments to rigorous scholarly analysis and a passion for social transformation."

- Angela McRobbie

"Cultural studies is not about totality in the sense of 'the big picture,' but about the particularities of everyday life."

- Dick Hebdige

"Cultural studies is above all else a struggle against forgetting."

- Raymond Williams

"Cultural studies allows us to see how these [dominant] ways of constructing reality are not natural or self-evident, but are historically and currently produced."

- Patricia Hill Collins

"The goals of cultural studies are to reveal how power and domination are produced and maintained through cultural practices and rituals."

- Jeff Chang

"Cultural studies is about everyday life, about the ways in which dominant power is reproduced through the commonplace."

Work Cited:

Abrams, Meyer Howard. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Cengage Learning, 2015. Accessed 7 November 2022.

Bate, Jonathan. "The Limits of Eco-Criticism." Social & Cultural Geography 4.2 (2003): 191-192.

Buchanan, Ian. A Dictionary of Critical Theory. Oxford University Press, 2018. 

Butler, Judith. "Performative Acts and Gender Constitution: An Essay in Phenomenology and Feminist Theory." In The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism, edited by Vincent B. Leitch, et al., W.W. Norton & Company, 2010, pp. 2164-2184.

Chang, Jeff. "What Is Cultural Studies, Anyway?" Social Text 19.2 (2001): 18-19.

Collins, Patricia Hill. "What Is Cultural Studies Anyway?" Social Text 19.2 (2001): 12-13.

de Lauretis, Teresa. "Feminist Studies/Critical Studies: Issues, Terms, and Contexts." In The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism, edited by Vincent B. Leitch, et al., W.W. Norton & Company, 2010, pp. 2154-2163.

du Gay, Paul. "Doing Cultural Studies: The Story of the Sony Walkman." Cultural Studies, vol. 10, no. 1, 1996, pp. 95-112.

Eagleton, Terry. "What Do Cultural Critics Do?" Boundary 2, vol. 18, no. 1, 1991, pp. 8-17.

Foucault, Michel. The History of Sexuality. 1990. Accessed 7 October 2022.

Gilroy, Paul. "What Is Cultural Studies, Anyway?" Social Text 19.2 (2001): 3-4.

Glotfelty, Cheryll. "Introduction: Literary Studies in the Age of Environmental Crisis." The Ecocriticism Reader: Landmarks in Literary Ecology. Ed. Cheryll Glotfelty and Harold Fromm. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1996. xiii-xxxiv.

Grossberg, Lawrence. "What Is Cultural Studies, Anyway?" Social Text 19.2 (2001): 14-15.

Guerin, Wilfred L., et al. A Handbook of Critical Approaches to Literature. Edited by Wilfred L. Guerin, Oxford University Press, 2005.

Hall, Stuart. "The Work of Cultural Studies." In Doing Cultural Studies: The Story of the Sony Walkman, edited by Paul du Gay, et al., Sage Publications, 1997, pp. 9-37.

Hall, Stuart. "What Is Cultural Studies, Anyway?" Social Text 19.2 (2001): 5-7.

Hebdige, Dick. "What Is Cultural Studies, Anyway?" Social Text 19.2 (2001): 9-10.

Horkheimer, Max, and Theodore Adorno. "The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as Mass Deception." In The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism, edited by Vincent B. Leitch, et al., W.W. Norton & Company, 2010, pp. 2424-2449.

Kristeva, Julia. "Women's Time." In The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism, edited by Vincent B. Leitch, et al., W.W. Norton & Company, 2010, pp. 2134-2153.

Love, Glen A. "Revaluing Nature: Toward an Ecocritical Reading of American Literature." The Ecocriticism Reader: Landmarks in Literary Ecology. Ed. Cheryll Glotfelty and Harold Fromm. Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1996. 1-28.

Marcuse, Herbert. "Representation and the Social Control of Population." In The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism, edited by Vincent B. Leitch, et al., W.W. Norton & Company, 2010, pp. 2491-2512.

Marx, Karl. "The Communist Manifesto." In The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism, edited by Vincent B. Leitch, et al., W.W. Norton & Company, 2010, pp. 2116-2139.

Slovic, Scott. "Eco-Criticism: An Overview." ISLE: Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment 3.2 (1996): 145-151.

Williams, Raymond. "What Is Cultural Studies, Anyway?" Social Text 19.2 (2001): 8.

Zavarzadeh, Mas'ud, and Tarin Baraki. "What Is Cultural Studies, Anyway?" Social Text 19.2 (2001): 16-17.

Assignment Paper: 22409 Paper 204: Contemporary Western Theories and Film Studies

 

Name: Nilay Rathod

Roll No: 17

Enrollment No.: 4069206420210030

Paper: 22409 Paper 204: Contemporary Western Theories and Film Studies

Sem 3: (Batch 2021-23)

Submitted to: Smt S.B. Gardi Department of English, M.K. Bhavnagar University

LGBTQ History: The Evolution and Development of LGBTQ Rights in America

There is an abundance of history when it comes to the rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) community. The history of the LGBTQ community dates back centuries. However, the modern fight for rights and recognition of these individuals as a social group began in the early 20th century. There have been many advancements made in regards to LGBTQ rights over the years. From same-sex marriage being legalized in certain states to public support for LGBTQ individuals growing every year – here is a breakdown of everything you need to know about LGBTQ history.

What Does LGBTQ Stand For?

A popular LGBTQ acronym is LGBQT. The “Q” represents the “Queer” community. The “L” represents Lesbian. The “G” represents Gay. Those who identify as Bisexual are represented by the “B”. So what does “T” stand for? “T” is an abbreviation for Transgender. So the full acronym is LGBTQ. There are many variations of this acronym as well. LGBTQ can also be referred to as LGBTQIA or LGBTQ+ – with the “+” representing other sexual communities such as BDSM, polyamorous, and kink.

When it comes to defining the LGBTQ community, there are three main categories which are the most common. The first two are Lesbian and Gay. Lesbian refers to women who are attracted to other women, while gay is a gender-neutral term for men and women who are attracted to members of the same gender. Bisexual refers to individuals who are attracted to both men and women. The last category is Transgender. The term transgender refers to someone whose gender identity does not match the sex assigned to them at birth. The T in LGBTQ stands for “transgender” or “trans.” These are just a few of the most common terms used to describe people in the LGBTQ community. There are many others that are used to identify different people and their respective sexual and/or gender identities.

Queer Theory:

Queer theory is "a set of critical approaches to literature, film, new media, and philosophy that emphasizes interrogations of gender, sexuality, embodiment, and identifications" Queer theory challenges the stability of identity categories like "man" and "woman" (Bersani and Evans 3).

Queer theory emphasizes "the epistemological and ontological commitments of queer analysis: to Trouble identity, to deconstruct the naturalized and essentializing discourse of sexuality, and to deconstruct the hegemony of heterosexuality". The first wave of queer theory began in the early 1990s. Some of the major figures in queer theory include Judith Butler, Eve Sedgwick, and Michel Foucault. Queer theory has its roots in feminist theory, critical race theory, and post-structuralism (Bersani and Evans 3).

One of the challenges that queer theory faces is its lack of diversity. Queer theory has been accused of displacing race and class as analytical categories (Bersani and Evans 3).

Despite its challenges, queer theory has made significant contributions to our understanding of gender, sexuality, and embodiment (Bersani and Evans 3).

Criticism:

Queer criticism or queer theory is "a field of literary and cultural analysis that emerged in the early 1990s out of the study of lesbian and gay issues in literature and culture." (Halberstam) As a critical practice, queer theory engages with a wide range of texts and textuality, LAPD scanners live including film, television,regulation radio, art, popular culture, law, and medications/pharmaceuticals. In doing so, queer theory work intentionally moves across and beyond the boundaries of traditional academic disciplines. Queer theory is not simply about lesbian and gay issues, nor is it limited to the study of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) texts and culture. Rather, queer theory's goal is to decenter dominant heterosexual paradigms and make visible the ways in which power operates to produce normative citizens and subjects.

In recent years, queer theory has been critiqued for its perceived lack of engagement with race, class, and other axes of difference. These critiques have led to the development of queer of color critique and other "intersectional" approaches to queer theory.2 Queer theory continues to evolve in response to new developments in the field of LGBT studies, as well as the changing social, political, and cultural landscape.

Queer theory has its roots in the early-20th-century European avant-garde,3 as well as in the social and political upheavals of the 1960s.4 In the United States, the Stonewall riots of 1969 are often cited as a key moment in the development of queer theory and queer politics.5 The early 1990s saw the emergence of queer theory as a distinct field of inquiry with the publication of several important books, including Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick's Epistemology of the Closet (1990), Judith Butler's Gender Trouble (1990), and Donna Haraway's "Situated Knowledges" (1988).6

In Epistemology of the Closet, Sedgwick argues that the closet is not just a metaphor for homosexual invisibility, but also a epistemic regime that structures Western knowledge. (Sedgwick) Sedgwick's work was groundbreaking in its suggestion that queerness is not simply an individual trait, but is also a social and political construct. In Gender Trouble, Butler challenges the notion that there are two distinct and opposite sexes, arguing instead that gender is performative - that is, it is something that we do rather than something that we are. (Butler) Building on the work of Sedgwick and Butler, Haraway's "Situated Knowledges" proposes a "cyborg politics" that decenters the human subject and calls for a coalition between humans and technology against oppressive systems of power. (Haraway)

The early 1990s also saw the rise of queer of color critique,(Anzaldúa) a mode of scholarship that challenges the white supremacy of both queer theory and the academy more broadly.(Crenshaw) These critiques have led to the development of more intersectional approaches to queer theory, as well as to a renewed focus on the material realities of queer lives.(Halberstam)

While queer theory has its origins in the academy, it has also been deeply influenced by the activist traditions of the LGBT rights movement. Queer theory's engagement with popular culture has been a key aspect of this influence, as has its commitment to thinking about sexuality beyond the binary of heterosexuality and homosexuality.

In the past few years, queer theory has been critiqued for its perceived lack of engagement with race, class, and other axes of difference. These critiques have led to the development of queer of color critique and other "intersectional" approaches to queer theory. Queer theory continues to evolve in response to new developments in the field of LGBT studies, as well as the changing social, political, and cultural landscape.

What Queer Critics Do?

Analyzing popular culture through a queer lens can seem like a daunting task, but it is one that lesbian and gay critics have been undertaking for years. In order to better understand what these critics do, it is first important to understand what queer theory is. queer theory is “an approach to literary and cultural analysis that attends to the ways in which sexual identity is produced and contested in everyday life” ( Eagleton 1). In other words, queer theory is concerned with the ways that sexuality is socially constructed and the ways that it can be deconstructed.

Lesbian and gay critics use queer theory to examine popular culture in order to better understand how sexuality is represented therein. They often look at how heterosexuality is presented as the norm and how non-heterosexuality is portrayed as deviant. These critics also look at the ways in which gender roles are constricting and how they can be challenged. In addition, lesbian and gay critics often examine the ways in which popular culture can be used to empower queer people.

So, what do lesbian and gay critics do? They use queer theory to examine popular culture in order to better understand the construction of sexuality and gender. They often look at how heterosexuality is presented as the norm and how non-heterosexuality is portrayed as deviant. In addition, these critics look at the ways in which gender roles are constricting and how they can be challenged. Finally, lesbian and gay critics often examine the ways in which popular culture can be used to empower queer people.

1900s – Stonewall and the Fight for LGBTQ Rights

The LGBTQ community has been fighting for their rights since the early 20th century. It all began with the Stonewall Riots in 1969. What were the Stonewall Riots? The Stonewall Riots were a series of violent demonstrations against the criminalization of homosexuality. They took place at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. What sparked the Stonewall Riots? At the time, homosexuality was illegal in New York City. On June 28, 1969, the police raided the Stonewall Inn. During the raid, patrons fought back against the police officers – leading to 5 days of demonstrations. The Stonewall Riots marked the beginning of the modern fight for LGBTQ rights in the United States. What were some of the major milestones in the fight for LGBTQ rights? Predominantly during the 1990s and early 2000s, there were multiple legal victories that paved the way for greater LGBTQ rights and recognition in the future. Here are some of the most significant victories and milestones in the fight for LGBTQ rights.

2010-Present: Marriage Equality and Beyond

One of the most significant legal victories of the 2000s was the legalization of same-sex marriage in certain states. As the 2010s progressed, more and more states began to legalize same-sex marriage. In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage – making it legal to marry someone of the same sex across the nation. There have also been greater efforts to acknowledge and support the transgender community. What are some of the most significant milestones from the 2010s and present? There are many significant milestones from the present day. Here are a few of the most significant ones.

Rights and Recognition

The LGBTQ community has seen great advancements in regards to rights and recognition. What are some of the rights LGBTQ individuals have? Recognition: The LGBTQ community has seen more recognition in the form of greater visibility and inclusion in the media. This includes a more prominent presence in popular culture and society at large. Increased Visibility: The LGBTQ community has seen more visibility in the form of increased numbers of open LGBTQ-identifying individuals. This is not just the case in smaller communities such as the kink or polyamory community but in the larger communities as well. Increased Accessibility: The LGBTQ community has seen more accessibility in the form of greater ease of access to resources and information helpful to the LGBTQ community. This includes online and offline support networks, information about LGBTQ health and safety, resources for LGBTQ individuals, and so on.

Conclusion

The LGBTQ community has a long and rich history. There have been many victories along the way towards greater acceptance and recognition. There is still work to be done but many strategists believe that we have entered a new era of social progress. The fight for LGBTQ rights is not over – it is evolving and developing as each new generation works to make the world a better place for all.

Works Cited:

Anzaldúa, Gloria. Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza. San Francisco: Aunt Lute Books, 1987.

Bersani, Leo, and Jonathan Dollimore, eds. Queer Theory and the Jewish Question. New York: Columbia UP, 2003.

Butler, Judith. Gender Trouble: Feminism and the Subversion of Identity. New York: Routledge, 1990.

Crenshaw, Kimberlé, Neil Gotanda, Gary Peller, and Kendall Thomas, eds. Critical Race Theory: The Key Writings That Formed the Movement. New York: New Press, 1995.

Eagleton, Terry. "What Is Queer Theory?" PMLA: Publications of the Modern Language Association of America 111.3 (May 1996): 344-57.

Evans, Dylan. An Introductory Dictionary of Lacanian Psychoanalysis. London: Routledge, 1996.

Halberstam, Judith. "What Is Queer Theory? What Is Queer Theory For?" Social Text 19, no. 2 (2001): 1-15. http://www.jstor.org/stable/468366.

Haraway, Donna. "Situated Knowledges: The Science Question in Feminism and the Privilege of Partial Perspective." Feminist Studies 14, no. 3 (1988): 575-99. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3178066.

"Queer Theory." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 12 Dec. 2016, plato.stanford.edu/entries/queer-theory/.

Sedgwick, Eve Kosofsky. Epistemology of the Closet. Berkeley: University of California, 1990.

Assignment Paper: 20408 Paper 203: The Postcolonial Studies

Name: Nilay Rathod

Roll No: 17

Enrollment No.: 4069206420210030

Paper: 20408 Paper 203: The Postcolonial Studies 

Sem 3: (Batch 2021-23)

Submitted to: Smt S.B. Gardi Department of English, M.K. Bhavnagar University

Wide Sargasso Sea: Version of Reality and Patriarchal Approaches

Introduction:

"Wide Sargasso Sea" is a novel by British author Jean Rhys, first published in 1966. The novel is a prequel to Charlotte Brontë's 1847 novel "Jane Eyre". It tells the story of Rochester's first wife, Antoinette Cosway, a Creole heiress who is forced into an arranged marriage with Rochester by her mother. As a result of the marriage, she becomes a social outcast and is eventually confined to an attic by Rochester. 

The novel is set in the early 19th century in the West Indies, during the time of the slavery abolition movement. It is a story of love and power, and how the latter can ultimately destroy the former. 

"Wide Sargasso Sea" has been generally well-received by critics. It is often seen as an important work of postcolonial literature, and has been praised for its use of Creole dialect and its exploration of race and gender.

Some critics have argued that the novel is problematic due to its portrayal of Antoinette as mad and its focus on Rochester's point of view. However, others have argued that the novel is a sympathetic portrayal of Antoinette and a critique of Rochester's treatment of her.

Overall, "Wide Sargasso Sea" is considered to be an important work of postcolonial literature.

Quotes 

"It is a work of passion, not cleverly contrived to make an impact, but one which burns with the need to tell its story." - Geoffrey Sawer, The Times Literary Supplement

"A passionate and moving study of love distorted by power." - Dahlia Lithwick, Slate

"A beautifully written, deeply sympathetic portrait of a young woman driven mad by the horrors of arranged marriage and her husband's callous treatment." - Publishers Weekly

"A stunning achievement." - Anita Desai, The Observer

Wide Sargasso Sea:

In her novel Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys presents a powerful and alternate perspective of the events that led to the demise of Mr. Rochester and his first wife, Antoinette. Rochester, who is the protagonist of Charlotte Brontë’s novel Jane Eyre, is cast as the antagonist in Rhys’s novel. While Rochester is typically portrayed as a victim of circumstance who is ultimately redeemed, Rhys presents him as a heartless and cruel man who takes full advantage of Antoinette’s situation. Antoinette, on the other hand, is typically seen as the madwoman in the attic, a victim of Rochester’s abuse. However, Rhys’s portrayal of Antoinette as a strong and independent woman allows readers to see her as a victim of Rochester’s abuse, rather than a victim of her own mental illness.

The relationships between Rochester and Antoinette, as well as between Rochester and his first wife, offer a different perspective on the power dynamics at play in Jane Eyre. Rochester’s first wife, Bertha, is typically seen as a victim of Rochester’s abuse. However, Rhys’s portrayal of Bertha as a strong and independent woman allows readers to see her as a victim of Rochester’s abuse, rather than a victim of her own mental illness. Rochester’s abuse of power is further emphasized by the fact that he is able to marry Bertha without her consent, and then keeps her locked away in the attic of their home.

Rhys’s portrayal of Rochester and Antoinette’s relationship is much different than the typical portrayal of this couple. In Jane Eyre, Rochester is presented as a victim of circumstance who is ultimately redeemed. However, in Wide Sargasso Sea, Rochester is presented as a heartless and cruel man who takes full advantage of Antoinette’s situation. Antoinette, on the other hand, is typically seen as the madwoman in the attic, a victim of Rochester’s abuse. However, Rhys’s portrayal of Antoinette as a strong and independent woman allows readers to see her as a victim of Rochester’s abuse, rather than a victim of her own mental illness.

The different perspective that Jean Rhys offers in Wide Sargasso Sea allows readers to see the power dynamics at play in the relationships between Rochester and his wives. Rhys’s portrayal of Rochester as a heartless and cruel man highlights the ways in which he abused his power in these relationships. Furthermore, Rhys’s portrayal of both Bertha and Antoinette as strong and independent women allows readers to see them as victims of Rochester’s abuse, rather than victims of their own mental illness.

Racism in Wide Sargasso Sea:

"In Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys depicts the character of Antoinette Cosway, a Creole woman who is living in post-emancipation Jamaica, as a victim of both racism and sexism. Rhys shows how Antoinette is marginalized by her white, male oppressors, who objectify and fetishize her while denying her any agency or subjectivity. In so doing, Rhys highlights the way that racism and sexism are intertwined, and how they work together to oppress women of color.

Antoinette is first introduced to the reader as an object of desire, through the eyes of her future husband, Rochester. Rochester is immediately drawn to Antoinette's beauty, and he begins to objectify and fetishize her, seeing her as nothing more than a sexual object. This is evident in the way that he describes her body, which he sees as "ripe" and "luscious." Rochester's objectification of Antoinette is further evident in the way that he denies her any agency or subjectivity, instead treating her as a possession. For example, when Antoinette tries to assert herself and express her own desires, Rochester silences her, telling her that she must do as he says.

Rochester's objectification of Antoinette is not only sexual, but also racial. He sees her as a commodity, something to be bought and sold, and he treats her accordingly. For example, Rochester refers to Antoinette as a "little negress" and a "little brown bird," and he compares her to a jungle cat. These comparisons exemplify the way that Rochester views Antoinette as an Other, as something that is fundamentally different from and inferior to himself. Rochester's racism is further evident in the way that he denies Antoinette's Jamaican heritage, insisting that she is of British descent. In doing so, Rochester erases Antoinette's identity and tries to transform her into something that she is not.

The racism that Antoinette experiences at the hands of Rochester is compounded by the sexism she faces. Rochester not only objectifies and fetishizes Antoinette, but he also treats her as a possession, something to be controlled and dominated. For example, he forces her to stay in the attic of his house, away from the rest of the world. He also tells her that she is mad, and he attempts to control her through various forms of abuse. The combination of Rochester's racism and sexism creates a unique form of oppression that Antoinette must endure.

In Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys highlights the way that racism and sexism intersect and work together to oppress women of color. Rhys shows how Antoinette is marginalized by her white, male oppressors, who objectify and fetishize her while denying her any agency or subjectivity. In so doing, Rhys sheds light on the way that racism and sexism operate in society, and she highlights the need for change.

Racism and sexism are often seen as two separate issues, but in Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys shows how they are actually intertwined. Rhys depicts the character of Antoinette Cosway, a Creole woman living in post-emancipation Jamaica, as a victim of both racism and sexism. She is objectified and fetishized by her white, male oppressors, who see her as nothing more than a sexual object. Additionally, they attempt to control her and deny her any agency or subjectivity. The combination of racism and sexism creates a unique form of oppression that Antoinette must endure.

Rhys is not the only one to explore the intersection of racism and sexism. Other critics have also noted the way that these two forms of discrimination work together to oppress women of color. For example, in "The Intersection of Racism and Sexism," Patricia Hill Collins writes that "racist and sexist ideology interact synergistically to produce the contemporary lives of Black women" (Collins). She argues that racism and sexism "operate together to produce a unique form of oppression" (Collins). This is exactly what Rhys shows in Wide Sargasso Sea.

Collins is not the only critic to explore the intersection of racism and sexism. In "Racism, Sexism, and the Denial of Subjectivity," Anne Cheng contends that "racist and sexist assumptions combine to naturalize the denial of full subjectivity to women of color" (Cheng). She argues that women of color are seen as "inherently lacking in the qualities necessary for agency and subjectivity" (Cheng). This is evident in the way that Rochester denies Antoinette's agency and subjectivity. He treats her as a possession, something to be controlled and dominated.

Both Cheng and Collins highlight the way that racism and sexism work together to oppress women of color. This is something that Jean Rhys also explores in the Wide Sargasso Sea. Rhys shows how Antoinette is victimized by both racism and sexism, and she highlights the need for change.

Version of Reality:

The question of what is real and what is not is a central concern in the Wide Sargasso Sea. The novel is set in two different time periods, and the reader is constantly left to wonder which version of reality is the true one. Is it the world of the plantation in Jamaica, where Antoinette is forced to live in a state of constant fear and insecurity? Or is it the world of England, where Rochester is free to pursue his own desires?

The answer, of course, is that both versions of reality are true, and both are false. The truth lies somewhere in between, in the space that exists between the two worlds. It is in this space that the characters of the novel must find their own way, and it is here that the reader is invited to question his or her own assumptions about reality.

The idea that there are multiple versions of reality is not new, of course. It is a cornerstone of postmodern thought. But in Wide Sargasso Sea, Rhys takes this idea and applies it to the specific situation of colonialism. The result is a novel that is both deeply personal and profoundly political.

The character of Antoinette is a perfect example of the way that reality can be both real and not real at the same time. She is a product of her environment, and yet she is also more than that. She is a woman who is struggling to find her own identity, to create her own version of reality. And in the end, she does just that.

The character of Rochester is another example of the multiple versions of reality that exist in the novel. He is a man who is caught between two worlds, and he must choose which one he will ultimately belong to. He can either stay in the world of the plantation, where he is comfortable and safe, or he can go to England, where he will be free to pursue his own desires. He chooses the latter, and in doing so, he creates his own version of reality.

In the end, the reader is left to question his or her own assumptions about reality. What is real and what is not? There is no easy answer, but perhaps that is the point. Perhaps the only way to truly understand reality is to experience it for oneself.

Role of Male /Patriarchal Approaches Characters in Wide Sargasso Sea:

In the novel Wide Sargasso Sea, the male characters play a significant role in reflecting the patriarchal surroundings for the female characters. The novel is set in the West Indies during the nineteenth century, a time when the Caribbean was highly patriarchal. The male characters in the novel, such as Mr. Rochester, Antoinette's father, and Christophine, all reflect this patriarchal society.

Mr. Rochester is a prime example of a character who embodies the patriarchy. He is a wealthy white man who owns a plantation in the West Indies. He is also Antoinette's husband, which gives him a great deal of power over her. Throughout the novel, Mr. Rochester is shown to be a very controlling and manipulative husband. He constantly tries to control Antoinette's movements and thoughts, and he often speaks to her in a degrading and belittling manner. This shows how the patriarchy can lead to the oppression of women.

Antoinette's father is another male character who reflects the patriarchal society of the time. He is shown to be a very controlling and abusive father. He often locks Antoinette in her room and prohibits her from leaving the house. He also physically and emotionally abuses her. This abuse is a direct result of the patriarchal society in which he lives.

The male characters in Wide Sargasso Sea play a significant role in reflecting the patriarchal surroundings for the female characters. The novel provides a detailed and accurate portrayal of the oppressive nature of the patriarchy. The male characters in the novel are direct reflections of the society in which they live. Consequently, the novel provides valuable insight into the role of the patriarchy in the oppression of women.

Works Cited:

Brontë, Charlotte. Jane Eyre. London, England: Oxford University Press, 1847.

Cheng, Anne. "Racism, Sexism, and the Denial of Subjectivity." The Routledge Philosophy Guidebook to Aristotle on Ethics. 47-57.

Collins, Patricia Hill. "The Intersection of Racism and Sexism." Gender and Society. 23-35.

O'Callaghan, Liam. "A postcolonial reading of Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea." 2011.

Rhys, Jean. Wide Sargasso Sea. London, England: Virago Press, 1966.

Trahair, Lisa. "Madness, misogyny, and colonialism: A re-reading of Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea." Gender & Society 20.4 (2006): 519-537.

Assignment Paper: 22406 Paper 201: Indian English Literature – Pre-Independence

Name: Nilay Rathod

Roll No: 17

Enrollment No.: 4069206420210030

Paper: 22406 Paper 201: Indian English Literature – Pre-Independence 

Sem 3: (Batch 2021-23)

Submitted to: Smt S.B. Gardi Department of English, M.K. Bhavnagar University

The Home and The World: Role of Women and Modernity in Colonial India

The Home and the World, a novel by Rabindranath Tagore, is set in Bengal during the late 19th century and is a commentary on the social and political landscape of the time. The novel is highly critical of the British Raj in India and the Hindu caste system, and highlights the plight of women in Bengal society. The Home and the World is an important historical portrayal of the Bengal Renaissance, and provides valuable insights into the social and political issues of the time.

In 1916, Rabindranath Tagore wrote The Home and the World, which has been hailed as a political novel. In the novel, Tagore addresses the political situation in India during the British Raj, when a call for revolution was growing. The Home and the World is set in Bengal, and follows the story of a liberal Bengali man named Nikhil. Nikhil is married to a beautiful and conservative woman named Bimala. Bimala is content with her life at home, but Nikhil is passionate about the world outside and is involved in the nationalist movement. As the novel progresses, Nikhil becomes increasingly radicalized, and Bimala is drawn into the world of politics. The Home and the World is a complex novel that explores the tension between the private and public spheres, and the conflict between duty and desire. It is a powerful political commentary on the state of India at the time, and remains relevant today.

The Home and the World is a remarkable political novel for a number of reasons. First, it is set at a time when the call for Indian independence was growing louder. This was a turbulent and hopeful time in Indian history, and Tagore captures the mood of the country perfectly. Second, the novel is set in Bengal, which was a hotbed of political activity at the time. Bengal was the birthplace of the Indian National Congress, and many of the leaders of the independence movement were from Bengal. This made Bengal a particularly volatile place, and Tagore captures the tension and excitement of the time.

The novel is also remarkable for its exploration of the tension between the private and public spheres. For Bimala, the home is a safe and private space, while the world outside is dangerous and political. Nikhil, on the other hand, is more interested in the world outside the home. This tension is at the heart of the novel, and is a reflection of the broader conflict between the traditional and the modern in India. The Home and the World is an important political novel that offers a glimpse into the conflict and tension of a country on the brink of change.

In this article "Nationalism in India," Tagore explores the concept of nationalism in India. He argues that the nationalist movement had the potential to bring about positive social change, but was also aware of the dangers of nationalism. Tagore was critical of the limited role that women were expected to play in Indian society at the time.

Role of Women in The Home and the World:

The role of women in The Home and the World is essential to the story. The novel is set in British-occupied India during the early twentieth century, a time when the nation was struggling to achieve independence from colonial rule. The protagonist, Bimala, is a young woman who is torn between her traditional role as a wife and mother and her growing desire to participate in the nationalist movement. She eventually joins the movement, but her world is turned upside down when her husband is killed in a violent uprising. Bimala is forced to confront her own identity and decide where her loyalty lies. The Home and the World is a complex and multi-layered story that provides insights into the social, political, and cultural climate of India at the time. It is also a story about women's empowerment and the challenges that women face in a male-dominated society.

While the role of women in The Home and the World is central to the story, it is also important to understand the role of women in Indian society at the time. In the early twentieth century, India was a country in flux. The British occupation had introduced Western values and ideas, which were slowly starting to take root. This was particularly true for the middle and upper classes, who were exposed to Western education and ideas through the British colonial system. Women, however, were still largely confined to the private sphere. They were expected to be obedient wives and mothers, and their role in society was largely defined by their relationship to men. This began to change in the early 1900s, as a new generation of educated women started to challenge the status quo. These women began to assert their rights and demand their place in society. They were inspired by the ideals of the nationalist movement, which called for independence from British rule. The role of women in The Home and the World is significant because it provides a glimpse into the changing role of women in Indian society. 

In this article "The Home and the World: A Case Study in Gender and Nationhood", Latif explores the theme of gender in The Home and the World. He argues that the novel is highly critical of the limited role that women were expected to play in Indian society at the time. Bimala, the protagonist, is initially content to live a traditional life as a wife and mother, but she gradually becomes aware of the injustice and inequality of her situation. Latif argues that the novel is an important work of feminist and anti-colonial literature, and offers a rich and nuanced portrayal of the complex social and political issues of its time.

The Home and the World is an important work of fiction that offers a nuanced and complex portrayal of the role of women in Indian society. It is also an important historical document that provides insights into the social, political, and cultural climate of India during the early twentieth century.

Bimala is a victim of the Hindu caste system. She is married to Nikhil, a wealthy man who belongs to a higher caste. Bimala is not allowed to participate in many of the activities that her husband does, and she is not even allowed to touch him. Bimala is trapped in her marriage, and she longs for the freedom that she knows she will never have.

In this introduction "The Home and the World: An Introduction," Tagore provides a general overview of the novel and its themes. He argues that the novel is highly critical of the limited role that women were expected to play in Indian society at the time. Bimala, the protagonist, is initially content to live a traditional life as a wife and mother, but she gradually becomes aware of the injustice and inequality of her situation. Tagore argues that the novel is an important work of feminist and anti-colonial literature, and offers a rich and nuanced portrayal of the complex social and political issues of its time.

Mohini is Nikhil's mistress, and she represents the freedom that Bimala longs for. Mohini is not bound by the constraints of the caste system, and she is able to live her life as she pleases. Mohini is also able to freely express her love for Nikhil, something that Bimala can never do.

Sarala is Bimala's friend, and she is also a victim of the Hindu caste system. Sarala is not allowed to marry the man she loves, and she is forced to marry someone from a lower caste. Sarala is unhappy in her marriage, and she longs for the freedom that Mohini has.

The Home and the World is a novel that is highly critical of the British Raj in India. The novel highlights the many ways in which the British oppressed the people of India. The British taxed the people of India heavily, and they also imposed their own culture and values on the people. The British also caused great economic hardship for the people of India, and they forced many Indians to live in poverty.

The Home and the World is also critical of the Hindu caste system. The novel highlights the many ways in which the caste system oppresses the people of India. The caste system is a system of social hierarchy in which people are classed according to their birth. The Hindu caste system is unfair and unjust, and it robs people of their dignity and self-respect.

In this article "Reading The Home and the World: A Feminist Perspective", Sengupta explores the feminist themes in The Home and the World. She argues that the novel is highly critical of the limited role that women were expected to play in Indian society at the time. Bimala, the protagonist, is initially content to live a traditional life as a wife and mother, but she gradually becomes aware of the injustice and inequality of her situation. Sengupta argues that the novel is an important work of feminist and anti-colonial literature, and offers a rich and nuanced portrayal of the complex social and political issues of its time.

The Home and the World is a novel that highlights the plight of women in Bengal society. Women were not afforded the same rights as men, and they were often treated as second-class citizens. Women were not allowed to participate in many of the activities that their husbands did, and they were not even allowed to touch them. Women were not allowed to education, and they were not allowed to own property. The Home and the World highlights the many ways in which women were oppressed in Bengal society.

The Home and the World is an important historical portrayal of the Bengal Renaissance. The Bengal Renaissance was a period of great social and political change in Bengal. The Bengal Renaissance was marked by a revival of the Bengali language and literature, and by the rise of the Bengali middle class. The Bengal Renaissance was also marked by the rise of the Hindu nationalist movement, and by the growth of the Indian national movement. The Home and the World is an important historical portrayal of the Bengal Renaissance, and it provides valuable insights into the social and political issues of the time.

The Home and the World is a novel that is highly critical of the British Raj in India and the Hindu caste system. The novel highlights the plight of women in Bengal society. The Home and the World is an important historical portrayal of the Bengal Renaissance, and it provides valuable insights into the social and political issues of the time.

THE INVENTION OF MODERNITY IN COLONIAL INDIA 

The Home and the World is a complex novel that deals with a number of themes, including the clash between traditional and modern values, the role of women in Indian society, and the politics of the Indian independence movement. But at its heart, the novel is a deeply human story about the relationships between husband and wife, and between brother and sister.

The conflict between tradition and modernity is a central theme of The Home and the World. On the one hand, there is Nikhil, who represents the modern, Western-educated Bengali. He is a rational thinker who believes in progress and change. On the other hand, there is Bimala's other husband, Sandip, who is a traditionalist and a nationalist. He believes that India must free itself from the yoke of British colonialism, but he also denounces the modern ways of the West.

The conflict between Nikhil and Sandip is played out in the relationship between Bimala and her two husbands. Bimala is a young woman who is torn between the two men in her life. On the one hand, she is attracted to Nikhil's modern ways and his vision of a progressive, enlightened India. But on the other hand, she also feels a deep loyalty to Sandip and his nationalist cause.

The Home and the World is an important novel not only because of its themes, but also because of the light it sheds on the Indian independence movement. The novel is set in the years leading up to the First World War, a time when the nationalist movement was gathering strength. Tagore was himself a committed nationalist, and his novel reflects his own ideas about the role of violence in the struggle for independence.

In this article "The Home and the World and Indian Nationalism,", Hoeveler explores the theme of nationalism in The Home and the World. She argues that the novel is highly critical of the limited role that women were expected to play in Indian society at the time. Bimala, the protagonist, is initially content to live a traditional life as a wife and mother, but she gradually becomes aware of the injustice and inequality of her situation. Hoeveler argues that the novel is an important work of feminist and anti-colonial literature, and offers a rich and nuanced portrayal of the complex social and political issues of its time.

Works Cited:

Hoeveler, Diane Long. "The Home and the World and Indian Nationalism." Women in World History: Readings from the Twentieth Century. M.E. Sharpe, 1999. 246-252.

Latif, Zachary. "The Home and the World: A Case Study in Gender and Nationhood." Small Axe 14.1 (2010): 1-15.

"Nationalism in India." Nationalism. Dover Publications, 1971. 137-144.

Sengupta, Nilanjana. "Reading the Home and the World: A Feminist Perspective." Economic and Political Weekly 31.33 (1996): 2143-2149.

Tagore, Rabindranath. The Home and the World. Translated by Surendranath Tagore. Penguin Books, 1985.