Between Cultural Memory and Post-Colonialism: A Study of African and South Asian Novels, by Sachin Namdeo Gadekar

Description

Between Cultural Memory and Post-Colonialism: A Study of African and South Asian Novels: Memory studies and post colonialism are increasing areas of research and teaching. The present study attempts to define and explain the concept of cultural memory vis-a-vis culture and literary studies. It offers an integrated survey of the field of cultural memory studies and investigates the textual interweaving of the cultural memory discourse carried out by postcolonial writers. To meet this goal, the critical analysis is narrowed down and presents a close reading of four novels: Things Fall Apart (1985) by Chinua Achebe, A Grain of Wheat (1967) by Kenyan writer Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Ice-Candy-Man (1988) by Pakistani writer Bapsi Sidhwa, and Such a Long Journal (1991) by Indian-Canadian writer Rohinton Mistry. This book analyzes narrative methods that raise several complex issues regarding the varied nature of memory and how it is used as a performative cultural practice, and places the concept of cultural memory in the postcolonial context. It studies literary works as counter-discourse in the postcolonial context by bringing together authors from three geographical areas within Anglophone literature. It focuses on the ruptures of various practices born out of colonialism, and the revival and reconstruction of those practices in literary narratives.

Sachin Named Gadekar is an Associate Professor of English in Tuljaram Chaturchand College (Autonomous), Baramati, District Pune, India, affiliated to Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune. He obtained his M.Phil from YCMO University, and Ph.D. degree from S.P. Pune University, and PGDTE from EFLU, Hyderabad. He recently published the book, Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness: A Critical Study (Prestige Books International). He has completed two minor research projects sanctioned by BCUD, Pune University and ICSSR, New Delhi under IMPRESS Scheme, Government of India. Dr. Gadekar is also a member of the Institute for Critical Social Theory.

YouTube Book Discussion with the Author: Between Cultural Memory and Post-Colonialism.

Paperback. 155 Pages.

Published: February, 2022.

ISBN: 979-8-9855926-0-3

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