A Discourse with Identity: An Exploration of Postcolonial Dynamics in Graphic Novels

Post-colonial theorists have analyzed the impact that colonization has on identity where the individual is not only stripped of its pre-existing self but is left to make sense of life after colonization. The repercussions of colonization lie in the individual’s inability to go back to life before being colonized, as it is difficult to remove the experiences of colonial subjugation entirely. The lasting impression of the period continues to conflict with the colonized people’s perception of their surroundings as well as their relationship with themselves. Most often, the severity of colonization is represented by historical events that have been documented over the years, which provide a general overview of colonial regimes that intended to govern a group of people and impart a desired culture. But when observed through personal life stories, the consequences of colonization seem far more devastating because of its influence on the person’s sense of self. The basis of colonization lies in imparting culture to those in need of assistance that is then used as a medium to identify colonized people and justify the oppressive treatment towards them. These graphic novels remove the preconceived ideas about the characters’ colonial backgrounds by showing the readers the true causes of their situations without the associated indicators of colonial hierarchy. They provide the readers with the characters’ personal narratives of their subjugation and the effects of colonization on their identity, where the comics offer a more personable viewpoint into the lives of the colonized.Master of Arts (MA)English Language and LiteratureUniversity of Michigan-Flinthttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/163717/1/Shah2020.pdfDescription of Shah2020.pdf : Thesi