Of mimicry and man - 1676 Words

A Critical Commentary of Homi Bhabha’s ‘Of Mimicry and Man: The ambivalence of Colonial discourse’ Homi Bhabha explains the weaknesses of colonial discourse by suggesting that the techniques which ‘broadcast the dominance and impenetrability’ (Kumar-Das 1992:362) of the subject causes its weaknesses to arise. Bhabha makes a psychoanalytic analysis based on the work of Jacques Lacan and Frantz Fanon, among several authors. His definition of colonial mimicry takes the form of discussing the issues within colonial discourse whilst reflecting on his own personal views of the matter. In this way, he discloses the contradictions within colonial discourse which show the colonizers ambivalence from his position through the colonized†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬ËœHe told them about this new God’ (Achebe, 2010, p. 136) in the novel, the community are subjected to the religion of Christianity through the rule of the colonizers. Bhabha compares his own work with that of other theorists such as Lacan, which acts as a good source of evaluation for his work. This gives Bhabha’s argument historical validity. Also, he suggests how his work is similar to others such as that of Fanon and supports his theory by using quotes from them. Furthermore, the work of Cesaire is mentioned for analysis and to support his argument. However, Bhabha does not fully answer the argument discussed in his work for example, what does the tool of mimicry used by this power achieve? He does not identify this question. One of the obvious issues with his work is the analysis of colonial identity, which emerges from the difficult relationship between the colonizer and the colonized. This relationship forms an aggressive and neurotic condition that takes place completely outside of the civilizing aspirations of colonial rule, Christian missionaries and philanthropic societies. Particularly, he studies the identity between the two subjects and concentrates on the ambivalence created which he mentions persistently throughout his work. His critical work comes from the theory of psychoanalysis (Sigmund Freud 1899), who used the term of ambivalence toShow MoreRelatedEssay on Planet Of The Apes Satire740 Words   |  3 PagesLanden’s memory. In the book civilization of humans on Earth is equal to and may even surpass the civilization of the apes on Sorror. The point of view in the book is through Ulysees’ mind. He is clam and patient. Taylor in the movie is an impatient angry man who is neve r satisfied and is outraged by the fact that apes are running the planet and have locked him up. In the movie Taylor is a misanthrope who is hot-tempered and not respectful to the apes. He calls them quot;Bloody Baboons!quot; Taylor leftRead MoreImmortality Is Granted To The Individual Through Social1439 Words   |  6 Pagesfoster dehumanization. Emotion contagion and behavioral mimicry are group-influenced var-iables that allow group members to navigate a less ambiguous world. Keywords: group influence, social identification, transcendence, persuasion, deindividuation I Don’t Think, Therefore I Am (Part of the Group) In the search for knowledge, meaning, and harmony, social groups are formed. Social identification is the process whereby the common man may become immortal amongst his peers, reducing theRead MoreOedipus Rex As Modern Tragedy : Catharsis Or Cognitive Emotion883 Words   |  4 Pagesexamine the tragedy from the perspective of emotional empathy and use this framework to consider Rex s ability to transition from cognitive empathy to emotional empathy strong enough to result in catharsis. Throughout history, many have believed that man s ability to produce a poetic reflection of the world around him is what sets him apart from lesser lifeforms. Italian Jurist Giambattista Vico famously wrote in his book The New Science that, This poetic wisdom†¦., was unquestionably the first wisdomRead MoreChildhood Development : Richard Linklater s Boyhood1157 Words   |  5 Pagestransition from childhood to manhood through the eyes of Mason Evans, Jr. By means of its unconventional methods, the film provides a sociologically interesting perspective with regards to, not only his personal experiences, but also being a young man growing up in the 21st century. In the context of the life course, Mason’s childhood and adolescence are highly influenced by those around him; whether that be his peers or his parents. He learns behaviour, attitudes, and social practices by observingRead More Buchi Emechetas The Joys of Motherhood and Wole Soyinkas Death and the Kings Horseman15 19 Words   |  7 PagesColonial Life in Buchi Emechetas The Joys of Motherhood and Wole Soyinkas Death and the Kings Horseman Homi Bhaba writes that colonial mimicry is the desire for a reformed, recognizable Other, as a subject of a difference that is almost the same, but not quite (86). The colonizer wants and needs the colonized to be similar to himself, but not the same. If the native continues to behave in his traditional ways, he brings no economic gain to the colonizer. But, if the colonized changes tooRead MoreA Feminist and Post-Colonial Analysis of Anowa by Ama Ataa Aidoo1251 Words   |  6 Pagesanalysis on the other hand shows that Anowa is a woman who is struggling against the 1870’s African feminist identity (the identity of weakness). The drama surrounds the story of a young woman called Anowa who disobeys her parents by marrying Kofi Ako, a man who has a reputation for indolence and migrates with him to a far place. Childless after several years of marriage Anowa realises that Kofi had sacrificed his manhood for wealth. Upon Anowa’s realisation Kofi in disgrace shoots himself whiles AnowaRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book The Of The Atlantic 964 Words   |  4 Pagesstepping stones in which the men use to continue on their path. In his essay To Know the Difference: Mimicry, Satire, and Thomas King s Green Grass, Running Water Horne Dee, although it was not the purpose of his essay, showcases exactly this with one phrase. â€Å"These women, as well as the four male/female Indian tricksters, redeem the mimic men. They teach the men to value who they are and to reject mimicry/assimilation† (p.255). While taking a completely different approach, and studying a completely differentRead MoreGlobalization and Western Dominated Policies in Africa2022 Words   |  8 Pages Abderrahmane Sissako’s film Bamako (2006) and Homi Bhabha’s essay â€Å"Of Mimicry and Man: The Ambivalence of Colonial Discourse† both explore how the globalization and Western-dominated policies affect the deepest levels of everyday life of ordinary Africans. In his essay Bhabha defines Mimicry as the subordination of the eastern countries on the hands of the ruling classes and the resultant effect of this domination. The thematic similarities between Sissako’s film and Bhabha’s essay go beyond theirRead MoreColonialism, By Lois Tyson Essay1775 Words   |  8 PagesTyson calls this mimicry, or â€Å"the imitation, by a subaltern, of the dress, speech, behavior, or lifestyle of the members of the dominant culture,† which is not intended to mock the dominant culture but rather reveals the subaltern’s desire to be a part of and gain approval from the dominant culture (Tyson 249). As a result, Tyson argues that, â€Å"if one imitates members of the dominant culture without believing that one’s own culture is inferior†¦ then one is not practicing mimicry in the postcolonialRead More2.1 Mimicry 2.1.1 Overview of mimicry Numbers of studies have shown that people mimic others3400 Words   |  14 Pages2.1 Mimicry 2.1.1 Overview of mimicry Numbers of studies have shown that people mimic others behaviour. Mimicry is a terms use when people imitate others doing (Stel Vonk, 2010). Imitate here means that follow, copy, or repeat what others do. Other terms usually use to represent mimicry are synchrony, mirroring (Parrill Kimbara, 2006), behaviour matching and interactional synchrony (Lakin, Jefferis, Cheng, Chartrand, 2003). Mimicry can be in verbal and non-verbal form. For verbal, it includes