Ethics and Representation in Modern Literature: A Postcolonial Perspective

Dr. Mitra Mukherjee-Parikh
Associate Professor & Head, Department of English, SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai.

Dr. Sachin R. Labade
Associate Professor & Head, Department of English, University of Mumbai.

Dr. Bhagyashree S. Varma
Assistant Professor, Department of English, University of Mumbai.

Dr. Deepa Misra
Associate Professor, Department of English, Smt. Chandibhai Himathmal Mansukhani College, Mumbai.

Abstract

This article explores the intricate relationship between ethics and representation in modern literature through a postcolonial lens. It examines how contemporary authors navigate the complexities of portraying marginalized voices, addressing historical injustices, and challenging dominant narratives. By analyzing key texts and theoretical frameworks, the study highlights ethical dilemmas in representation, such as authenticity, appropriation, and the risk of perpetuating stereotypes. The discussion draws on postcolonial theories from scholars like Edward Said, Homi K. Bhabha, and Gayatri Spivak, emphasizing the power dynamics embedded in literary production. The article argues that ethical representation requires a balance between giving voice to the subaltern and avoiding reductive or exploitative portrayals. Through a mixed-methods approach, including textual analysis and theoretical critique, this study underscores the importance of self-reflexivity in modern literature. Tables and figures are used to illustrate trends in postcolonial literary themes and authorship demographics.

These perspectives offer a critical lens through which authors explore the lingering effects of colonialism on societies, cultures, and individual identities. By examining the complex interplay between colonial legacies and contemporary realities, postcolonial literature challenges dominant historical narratives and gives voice to previously marginalized experiences.

These works often grapple with themes of hybridity, displacement, and the search for authentic self-expression in a world shaped by colonial power structures. Authors employ diverse literary techniques, including magical realism, non-linear narratives, and multilingual storytelling, to convey the multifaceted nature of postcolonial experiences. By doing so, they not only document the struggles and triumphs of formerly colonized peoples but also contribute to the ongoing process of cultural reclamation and the reimagining of national and individual identities in a globalized world.

Keywords

Ethics, representation, postcolonialism, modern literature, subaltern, authenticity, appropriation, power dynamics

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