Postcolonialism: Love it Postcolonialism: Love it or Hate it- it’s there.or Hate it- it’s there.

Megan MillerMegan Miller

BackgroundBackground Seamus Heaney born in Seamus Heaney born in

Northern Ireland, won Northern Ireland, won multiple awards for his poetry. multiple awards for his poetry. “Seen as the greatest Irish poet “Seen as the greatest Irish poet since Yeats” and he was since Yeats” and he was influenced by British writers influenced by British writers too. He translated too. He translated Beowulf Beowulf and and tries to bring an Irish sound to tries to bring an Irish sound to his poetry written in English.his poetry written in English.

http://www.blogs.uni-osnabrueck.de/zuber_studyskills/tasks/task-for-session-4/seamus-heaney/

William Butler Yeats was “an Irish William Butler Yeats was “an Irish cultural nationalist, who helped forge cultural nationalist, who helped forge Irish cultural identity and inspired the Irish cultural identity and inspired the poet-revolutionaries who led the Easter poet-revolutionaries who led the Easter Rising of 1916 against the British.” (p Rising of 1916 against the British.” (p 91) The Norton Anthology of Modern 91) The Norton Anthology of Modern Contemporary PoetryContemporary Poetry

Derek Walcott was influenced by Derek Walcott was influenced by Yeats. “His loyalties to his African Yeats. “His loyalties to his African ancestry and to the ‘English tongue I ancestry and to the ‘English tongue I love.’” (p 494) The Norton Anthology love.’” (p 494) The Norton Anthology of Modern Contemporary Poetry of Modern Contemporary Poetry

He is a successful Caribbean poet who He is a successful Caribbean poet who dealt with similar issues as Yeats and dealt with similar issues as Yeats and Heaney. Heaney.

http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/exhibition/dublin/literary/W.B.Y.html

http://www.amatmoekrim.com/site/?p=115

Introduction to Idea:Introduction to Idea: Postcolonial writers may resent the colonizers, but Postcolonial writers may resent the colonizers, but

without them they wouldn’t have the angst or without them they wouldn’t have the angst or oppression to write about.oppression to write about.

Not necessarily a binary relationship between the Not necessarily a binary relationship between the colonizer/colonized, but a dual person who has colonizer/colonized, but a dual person who has influences of colonizer and attributes of his native influences of colonizer and attributes of his native people. (English/Irish)people. (English/Irish)

By at looking Seamus Heaney’s poems and By at looking Seamus Heaney’s poems and discussing the themes we will see how his work is discussing the themes we will see how his work is shaped by his upbringing.shaped by his upbringing.

Show that similar themes appear in Derek Walcott Show that similar themes appear in Derek Walcott and W.B. Yeats.and W.B. Yeats.

Literary Critics Say…Literary Critics Say…

““For postcolonial cultures include both a For postcolonial cultures include both a merger of and antagonism between the culture merger of and antagonism between the culture of the colonized and that of the colonizer, of the colonized and that of the colonizer, which, at this point in time, are difficult to which, at this point in time, are difficult to identify and separate into discrete entities, so identify and separate into discrete entities, so complete was the British intrusion into the complete was the British intrusion into the government, education, cultural values, and government, education, cultural values, and daily lives of its colonial subjects.” (p 419)daily lives of its colonial subjects.” (p 419)

-Lois Tyson, Critical Theory Today-Lois Tyson, Critical Theory Today

Tyson also says, “Postcolonial theorists often Tyson also says, “Postcolonial theorists often describe the colonial subject as having a describe the colonial subject as having a double double consciousness consciousness or or double vision, double vision, in other words, a in other words, a consciousness or a way of perceiving the world that is consciousness or a way of perceiving the world that is divided between two antagonistic cultures: that of the divided between two antagonistic cultures: that of the colonizer and the of the indigenous community.” (p colonizer and the of the indigenous community.” (p 421)421)

Edward Said’s view: “Said reads a metaphor of the Edward Said’s view: “Said reads a metaphor of the colonial relationship, and the question it provokes: colonial relationship, and the question it provokes: did the colonized benefit from colonization, no matter did the colonized benefit from colonization, no matter how violent the structure of the relationship?”… how violent the structure of the relationship?”… “Although it may be clear that ‘Yeats’s poetry joins “Although it may be clear that ‘Yeats’s poetry joins his people to its history’, one also notes the fact that his people to its history’, one also notes the fact that in Said’s formulation, agency is with the national in Said’s formulation, agency is with the national poet, not the people, and they are yoked to ‘their poet, not the people, and they are yoked to ‘their history’ whether they wish it or not.” (p 319)history’ whether they wish it or not.” (p 319)

-Conor McCarthy, “Edward Said and Irish Criticism”-Conor McCarthy, “Edward Said and Irish Criticism”

Different themes:Different themes: Animal relationship between colonizer/colonized. Animal relationship between colonizer/colonized.

(Hunter/hunted)(Hunter/hunted) ““As with the colonist/colonized relation, the essential As with the colonist/colonized relation, the essential

human/animal relation is one of exploitation.” (p 7) Hugh human/animal relation is one of exploitation.” (p 7) Hugh Denard.. “The association of the colonized with animals Denard.. “The association of the colonized with animals commonly occurs as part of the colonist’s construction of the commonly occurs as part of the colonist’s construction of the “Other” in colonial discourse.” “Other” in colonial discourse.”

Even though colonizer (British) tries to stress they are better Even though colonizer (British) tries to stress they are better than the colonized; colonized still feels better than them. That than the colonized; colonized still feels better than them. That they even have a closeness to nature that the British can’t they even have a closeness to nature that the British can’t achieve.achieve.

PunishmentPunishmentI can feel the tugI can feel the tugof the halter at the napeof the halter at the napeof her neck, the windof her neck, the windon her naked front.on her naked front.

It blows her nipplesIt blows her nipplesto amber beads, to amber beads, it shakes the frail riggingit shakes the frail riggingof her ribs.of her ribs.

I can see her drownedI can see her drownedbody in the bog, body in the bog, the weighing stone, the weighing stone, the floating rods and boughs.the floating rods and boughs.

Under which at firstUnder which at firstshe was a barked saplingshe was a barked saplingthat is dug upthat is dug upoak-bone, brain-firkin: oak-bone, brain-firkin:

her shaved headher shaved headlike a stubble of black corn, like a stubble of black corn, her blindfold a soiled bandage, her blindfold a soiled bandage, her noose a ringher noose a ring

to storeto storethe memories of love.the memories of love.Little adultress, Little adultress, before they punished youbefore they punished you

you were flaxen-haired, you were flaxen-haired, undernourished, and yourundernourished, and yourtar-black face was beautiful.tar-black face was beautiful.My poor scapegoat, My poor scapegoat,

I almost love youI almost love youbut would have cast, I know, but would have cast, I know, the stones of silence.the stones of silence.I am the artful voyeurI am the artful voyeur

of your brain's exposedof your brain's exposedand darkened combs, and darkened combs, your muscles' webbingyour muscles' webbingand all your numbered bones: and all your numbered bones:

I who have stood dumbI who have stood dumbwhen your betraying sisters, when your betraying sisters, cauled in tar, cauled in tar, wept by the railings, wept by the railings,

who would connivewho would connivein civilized outragein civilized outrageyet understand the exactyet understand the exactand tribal, intimate revenge. and tribal, intimate revenge.

-Seamus Heaney-Seamus Heaney

Theme:Theme: Us/Them: “The relation between colonist and colonized Us/Them: “The relation between colonist and colonized

becomes essentially one of opposition; the ‘Other’ is becomes essentially one of opposition; the ‘Other’ is not only different, the ‘Other’ is an enemy”. (p 9) not only different, the ‘Other’ is an enemy”. (p 9)

-Hugh Denard, “Seamus Heaney, Colonialism, and the -Hugh Denard, “Seamus Heaney, Colonialism, and the Cure”Cure”

“ “Betraying sisters” our women were with the English Betraying sisters” our women were with the English men. That is enough grounds to be tortured on, since men. That is enough grounds to be tortured on, since those men are different. Those men are the enemy.those men are different. Those men are the enemy.

If the English men are different, they are the savage If the English men are different, they are the savage beasts, than why did the Irish torture the women? beasts, than why did the Irish torture the women?

Savage/civilized/bothSavage/civilized/both

From Station IslandFrom Station IslandXIIXII““Who cares,Who cares,he jeered, ’any more? The English languagehe jeered, ’any more? The English languageBelongs to us. You are raking at dead fires, Belongs to us. You are raking at dead fires,

a waste of time for somebody your age.a waste of time for somebody your age.That subject people stuff is cod’s game,That subject people stuff is cod’s game,Infantile, like your peasant pilgrimage.Infantile, like your peasant pilgrimage.

You lose more of yourself than you redeem You lose more of yourself than you redeem doing the decent thing. Keep at a tangent.doing the decent thing. Keep at a tangent.When they make the circle wide, it’s time to swimWhen they make the circle wide, it’s time to swim

out on your own and fill the elementout on your own and fill the elementwith signatures on your own frequency”with signatures on your own frequency”

James Joyce is “speaking” to Heaney that it is okay to James Joyce is “speaking” to Heaney that it is okay to write in English. write in English.

Heaney taking the time to debate writing in English, Heaney taking the time to debate writing in English, shows that he feels guilty not writing in Irish shows that he feels guilty not writing in Irish language.language.

““The use of native languages often requires native The use of native languages often requires native writers to put forth the double effort of writing in writers to put forth the double effort of writing in their indigenous languages and then translating their their indigenous languages and then translating their work into English or having it translated.” work into English or having it translated.”

““Many ex-colonials therefore feel they must assert a Many ex-colonials therefore feel they must assert a native culture both to avoid being swamped by the native culture both to avoid being swamped by the Western culture so firmly planted on their soil and to Western culture so firmly planted on their soil and to recuperate their national image in their own eyes and recuperate their national image in their own eyes and in the eyes of others” Lois Tyson, Critical Theory in the eyes of others” Lois Tyson, Critical Theory TodayToday

DiggingDiggingBetween my finger and my thumbBetween my finger and my thumbThe squat pen rests; as snug as a gun.The squat pen rests; as snug as a gun.

Under my window a clean rasping soundUnder my window a clean rasping soundWhen the spade sinks into gravelly ground:When the spade sinks into gravelly ground:My father, digging. I look downMy father, digging. I look down

Till his straining rump among the flowerbedsTill his straining rump among the flowerbedsBends low, comes up twenty years awayBends low, comes up twenty years awayStooping in rhythm through potato drillsStooping in rhythm through potato drillsWhere he was digging.Where he was digging.

The coarse boot nestled on the lug, the shaftThe coarse boot nestled on the lug, the shaftAgainst the inside knee was levered firmly.Against the inside knee was levered firmly.He rooted out tall tops, buried the bright edge deepHe rooted out tall tops, buried the bright edge deepTo scatter new potatoes that we pickedTo scatter new potatoes that we pickedLoving their cool hardness in our hands.Loving their cool hardness in our hands.

By God, the old man could handle a spade,By God, the old man could handle a spade,Just like his old man.Just like his old man.

My grandfather could cut more turf in a dayMy grandfather could cut more turf in a dayThan any other man on Toner's bog.Than any other man on Toner's bog.Once I carried him milk in a bottleOnce I carried him milk in a bottleCorked sloppily with paper. He straightened upCorked sloppily with paper. He straightened upTo drink it, then fell to right awayTo drink it, then fell to right awayNicking and slicing neatly, heaving sodsNicking and slicing neatly, heaving sodsOver his shoulder, digging down and downOver his shoulder, digging down and downFor the good turf. Digging.For the good turf. Digging.

The cold smell of potato mold, the squelch and slapThe cold smell of potato mold, the squelch and slapOf soggy peat, the curt cuts of an edgeOf soggy peat, the curt cuts of an edgeThrough living roots awaken in my head.Through living roots awaken in my head.But I've no spade to follow men like them.But I've no spade to follow men like them.

Between my finger and my thumbBetween my finger and my thumbThe squat pen rests.The squat pen rests.I'll dig with it. I'll dig with it.

Heaney maybe trying to hide Heaney maybe trying to hide guilty feelings towards this new guilty feelings towards this new Ireland.Ireland.

““But I’ve no spade to follow men But I’ve no spade to follow men like them” refers to he is not as like them” refers to he is not as good as his father or grandfather.good as his father or grandfather.

Ireland moving away from Ireland moving away from farming into industrial as a result farming into industrial as a result of colonization.of colonization.

““This feeling of being caught This feeling of being caught between cultures, of belonging to between cultures, of belonging to neither rather than to both, of neither rather than to both, of finding oneself arrested in a finding oneself arrested in a psychological limbo that results psychological limbo that results not merely from some individual not merely from some individual psychological disorder but from psychological disorder but from the trauma of the cultural the trauma of the cultural displacement within which one displacement within which one lives, is referred to by Homi lives, is referred to by Homi Bhabha and others as Bhabha and others as unhomeliness.” (p 421) Lois unhomeliness.” (p 421) Lois TysonTyson

from from The Cure at Troy The Cure at Troy   

Human beings suffer,Human beings suffer,they torture one another,they torture one another,they get hurt and get hard.they get hurt and get hard.No poem or play or songNo poem or play or songcan fully right a wrongcan fully right a wronginflicted or endured.inflicted or endured.

  The innocent in gaolsThe innocent in gaolsbeat on their bars together.beat on their bars together.A hunger-striker's fatherA hunger-striker's fatherstands in the graveyard dumb.stands in the graveyard dumb.The police widow in veilsThe police widow in veilsfaints at the funeral home.faints at the funeral home.

  History says, Don't hopeHistory says, Don't hopeon this side of the grave.on this side of the grave.But then, once in a lifetimeBut then, once in a lifetimethe longed for tidal wavethe longed for tidal waveof justice can rise up,of justice can rise up,and hope and history rhyme.and hope and history rhyme.

  So hope for a great sea-changeSo hope for a great sea-changeon the far side of revenge.on the far side of revenge.Believe that a further shoreBelieve that a further shoreis reachable from here.is reachable from here.Believe in miraclesBelieve in miraclesand cures and healing wells.and cures and healing wells.

  Call the miracle self-healing:Call the miracle self-healing:The utter self-revealingThe utter self-revealingdouble-take of feeling.double-take of feeling.If there's fire on the mountainIf there's fire on the mountainOr lightning and stormOr lightning and stormAnd a god speaks from the skyAnd a god speaks from the sky

  That means someone is hearingThat means someone is hearingthe outcry and the birth-crythe outcry and the birth-cryof new life at its term.of new life at its term.

http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/c3/c17242.jpg

““Heaney’s work boldly opened up a dialogue Heaney’s work boldly opened up a dialogue between its Sophoclean model and the culture between its Sophoclean model and the culture and politics of Northern Ireland. To the and politics of Northern Ireland. To the Sophoclean representation of a wounded, Sophoclean representation of a wounded, embittered Philoctetes. Heaney’s version, embittered Philoctetes. Heaney’s version, avoided merely aestheticizing “The Troubles” avoided merely aestheticizing “The Troubles” by the toughness and realism of its tenor, and by the toughness and realism of its tenor, and the long shadows of irony with which it the long shadows of irony with which it concludes.” –Hugh Denard, concludes.” –Hugh Denard, Seamus Heaney, Seamus Heaney, Colonialism, and The CureColonialism, and The Cure

Mary Robinson and Bill Clinton quotedMary Robinson and Bill Clinton quoted Heaney created his version in hopes his people Heaney created his version in hopes his people

would see their similar story in this.would see their similar story in this.

Heaney summaryHeaney summary Heaney’s writing is a direct result of his postcolonialist Heaney’s writing is a direct result of his postcolonialist

upbringing. upbringing. He is a “hybrid”, he is aware of the impact the English have on He is a “hybrid”, he is aware of the impact the English have on

him. Questioning himself for writing in English, but he did him. Questioning himself for writing in English, but he did translate several poems into Gaelic. He was influenced by translate several poems into Gaelic. He was influenced by English writers as well as Irish writers. English writers as well as Irish writers.

If he was a writer not under postcolonialism his writing would If he was a writer not under postcolonialism his writing would be drastically different. Even his interest in writing versions be drastically different. Even his interest in writing versions like like The Cure at Troy.The Cure at Troy.

Heaney may feel superior to the English people, but without Heaney may feel superior to the English people, but without them he may not be Nobel Prize wining Seamus Heaney. them he may not be Nobel Prize wining Seamus Heaney.

The same can be said about W.B. Yeats and Derek Walcott.The same can be said about W.B. Yeats and Derek Walcott.

Man and the EchoMan and the EchoMan. In a cleft that's christened AltMan. In a cleft that's christened Alt

Under broken stone I haltUnder broken stone I haltAt the bottom of a pitAt the bottom of a pitThat broad noon has never lit,That broad noon has never lit,And shout a secret to the stone.And shout a secret to the stone.All that I have said and done,All that I have said and done,Now that I am old and ill,Now that I am old and ill,Turns into a question tillTurns into a question tillI lie awake night after nightI lie awake night after nightAnd never get the answers right.And never get the answers right.Did that play of mine send outDid that play of mine send outCertain men the English shot?Certain men the English shot?Did words of mine put too great strainDid words of mine put too great strainOn that woman's reeling brain?On that woman's reeling brain?Could my spoken words have checkedCould my spoken words have checkedThat whereby a house lay wrecked?That whereby a house lay wrecked?And all seems evil until IAnd all seems evil until ISleepless would lie down and die.Sleepless would lie down and die.

Echo. Lie down and die.Echo. Lie down and die.

Man. That were to shirkMan. That were to shirkThe spiritual intellect's great work,The spiritual intellect's great work,And shirk it in vain. There is no releaseAnd shirk it in vain. There is no releaseIn a bodkin or disease,In a bodkin or disease,Nor can there be work so greatNor can there be work so great

As that which cleans man's dirty slate.As that which cleans man's dirty slate.While man can still his body keepWhile man can still his body keepWine or love drug him to sleep,Wine or love drug him to sleep,Waking he thanks the Lord that heWaking he thanks the Lord that heHas body and its stupidity,Has body and its stupidity,But body gone he sleeps no more,But body gone he sleeps no more,And till his intellect grows sureAnd till his intellect grows sureThat all's arranged in one clear view,That all's arranged in one clear view,pursues the thoughts that I pursue,pursues the thoughts that I pursue,Then stands in judgment on his soul,Then stands in judgment on his soul,And, all work done, dismisses allAnd, all work done, dismisses allOut of intellect and sightOut of intellect and sightAnd sinks at last into the night.And sinks at last into the night.

Echo. Into the night.Echo. Into the night.

Man. O Rocky Voice,Man. O Rocky Voice,Shall we in that great night rejoice?Shall we in that great night rejoice?What do we know but that we faceWhat do we know but that we faceOne another in this place?One another in this place?But hush, for I have lost the theme,But hush, for I have lost the theme,Its joy or night-seem but a dream;Its joy or night-seem but a dream;Up there some hawk or owl has struck,Up there some hawk or owl has struck,Dropping out of sky or rock,Dropping out of sky or rock,A stricken rabbit is crying out,A stricken rabbit is crying out,And its cry distracts my thought. And its cry distracts my thought.

-William Butler Yeats-William Butler Yeats

He questions whether his words resulted in He questions whether his words resulted in people dying. people dying.

Yeats “reclaims a land colonized by the Yeats “reclaims a land colonized by the British; imposes Irish rhythms, images, genres, British; imposes Irish rhythms, images, genres, and syntax on English-language poetry; and and syntax on English-language poetry; and revives native myths, place-names, and revives native myths, place-names, and consciousness.” (p 91) The Norton Anthology consciousness.” (p 91) The Norton Anthology of Modern Contemporary Poetryof Modern Contemporary Poetry

Yeats also moves to another style with his Yeats also moves to another style with his writing, but may not have been the same if he writing, but may not have been the same if he did not start at the Irish nationalist writing.did not start at the Irish nationalist writing.

Derek Walcott:Derek Walcott: ““The Schooner The Schooner FlightFlight” ” Line 41-43:Line 41-43:

““I had a sound colonial education, I had a sound colonial education, I have Dutch, nigger, and English in me, I have Dutch, nigger, and English in me, and either I’m nobody, or I’m a nation.”and either I’m nobody, or I’m a nation.”

Walcott is able to illustrate how he is a hybrid. Walcott is able to illustrate how he is a hybrid. ““Walcott asks time and again how the postcolonial Walcott asks time and again how the postcolonial

poet can both grieve the agonizing harm of British poet can both grieve the agonizing harm of British colonialism and appreciate the empire’s literary gift.” colonialism and appreciate the empire’s literary gift.” (p 495) The Norton Anthology of Modern (p 495) The Norton Anthology of Modern Contemporary PoetryContemporary Poetry

Where do I go from here?Where do I go from here?

I would research further Yeats and Walcott I would research further Yeats and Walcott poems, and possibly other postcolonialist poems, and possibly other postcolonialist writers. writers.

Look for evidence that the colonialism made Look for evidence that the colonialism made these writers who they were. Without their these writers who they were. Without their upbringing, country, they wouldn’t have upbringing, country, they wouldn’t have written the literature they did.written the literature they did.

Work CitedWork CitedBerson, Misha. "In his play "the Cure at Troy" poet Seamus Heaney explores the Berson, Misha. "In his play "the Cure at Troy" poet Seamus Heaney explores the

wounds within." wounds within." The Seattle TimesThe Seattle Times. 6 Apr. 2008. 18 July 2009 . 6 Apr. 2008. 18 July 2009 <http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/thearts/2004325045_cure06.html>. <http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/thearts/2004325045_cure06.html>.

Denard, Hugh. "Seamus Heaney, Colonialism, and the Cure." Denard, Hugh. "Seamus Heaney, Colonialism, and the Cure." Project MuseProject Muse (2000): 1- (2000): 1-18. 18.

Ellmann, Richard, and Robert O'Clair. "Derek Walcott." Ed. Jahan Ramazani. Ellmann, Richard, and Robert O'Clair. "Derek Walcott." Ed. Jahan Ramazani. The The Norton Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry, Third Edition, Volume 1 Norton Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry, Third Edition, Volume 1 Modern PoetryModern Poetry. 3rd ed. Vol. 2. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company, 2003. 494-534. . 3rd ed. Vol. 2. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company, 2003. 494-534.

Ellmann, Richard, and Robert O'Clair. "William Butler Yeats." Ellmann, Richard, and Robert O'Clair. "William Butler Yeats." The Norton Anthology The Norton Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry, Third Edition, Volume 1 Modern Poetryof Modern and Contemporary Poetry, Third Edition, Volume 1 Modern Poetry. By . By Jahan Ranazani. 3rd ed. Vol. 1. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company, 2003. 90-143. Jahan Ranazani. 3rd ed. Vol. 1. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company, 2003. 90-143.

McCarthy, Conor. "Edward Said and Irish Criticism." McCarthy, Conor. "Edward Said and Irish Criticism." Project MuseProject Muse: 310-35. : 310-35. Ramazani, Jahan, Richard Ellmann, and Robert O'Clair. "Seamus Heaney." Ramazani, Jahan, Richard Ellmann, and Robert O'Clair. "Seamus Heaney." The Norton The Norton

Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry, Third Edition, Volume 1 Modern Anthology of Modern and Contemporary Poetry, Third Edition, Volume 1 Modern PoetryPoetry. 3rd ed. Vol. 2. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company, 2003. 720-49. . 3rd ed. Vol. 2. Boston: W. W. Norton & Company, 2003. 720-49.

Tyson, Lois. "Postcolonial criticism." Tyson, Lois. "Postcolonial criticism." Critical Theory Today A User-Friendly Guide, Critical Theory Today A User-Friendly Guide, Second EditionSecond Edition. 2nd ed. New York: Routledge, 2006. 417-27. . 2nd ed. New York: Routledge, 2006. 417-27.