Postcolonial Theory: A Critical Introduction

About the book

This is the first book of its kind to clearly map out the field of postcolonialism in its own terms. The book provides an overview of postcolonialism's pervasiveness in the academy, and lucidly illustrates the debates about the often conflicting consensus regarding the proper content, scope and relevance of its concerns. The book also elaborates on the themes and issues that have engaged the attention of postcolonial critics. From its influence in marxism and poststructuralism, from the work of edward said to salman rushdie, from feminist imperialism to globalization and hybridity, gandhi demonstrates the ethical concern that postcolonial theory can offer: how to take into account diversity without erasing distinct diasporas of difference.

Postcolonial theory is a ground-breaking critical introduction to the burgeoing field of postcolonial studies.leela gandhi is the first to clearly map out this field in terms of its wider philosophical and intellectual context, drawing important connections between postcolonial theory and poststructuralism, postmodernism, marxism and feminism. She assesses the contribution of major theorists such as edward said, gayatri spivak and homi bhabha, and also points to postcolonialism's relationship to earlier thinkers such as frantz fanon and mahatma gandhi.the book is distinctive in its concern for the specific historical, material, and cultural contexts for postcolonial theory, and in its attempt to sketch out the ethical possibilities for postcolonial theory as a model for living with and knowing cultural difference non-violently.postcolonial tehory is a useful starting point for readers new to the field and a provocative account which opens possibilities for debate.