A Representation of Periphery and Centre in the Context of Hybridity and Mimicry Theories: The Grass is Singing (1950) And The Lonely Londoners (1956)

Colonialism is one of the most debated oppressive practices over humankind and lasted for centuries until its formal abolition in the 20th century. It left permanent marks on colonised nations’ cultures, economies, and identities. As a tool of exploitation and dominance, colonialism has had lasting impacts even after its abolition and has shaped the social, cultural, and political lives of both the colonised and the coloniser. The aftermath of colonialism, known as postcolonialism, does not mean “after” colonialism, rather, it is the concept that emphasises the continuity of the colonial heritages. Postcolonial studies aim to unearth the complexities of social and individual identity by exploring how the legacy of colonialism continues to affect cultures even today. In this study, the legacy of colonialism is examined through the lens of postcolonial theory. The study pays attention to the lasting effects of colonial practices on both the colonisers and the colonised. By examining the works of Doris Lessing’s The Grass is Singing (1950) and Samuel Selvon’s The Lonely Londoners (1956), this study investigates how postcolonial theory is reflected in literature. The study does not only try to reveal the struggles of marginalised and displaced individuals but also aims to have a better insight into the thoughts of people of coloniser nations about the aftermath of colonialism. Thus, these two novels which have different settings during contemporary times offer the multifaceted nature of colonialism in the scope of the coloniser and colonised. The fundamental theoretical framework of this analysis is Homi K. Bhabha’s influential postcolonial theories of mimicry and hybridity. These theories explain how colonial subjects resist and sometimes subvert the dominant power by imitating them and creating new selfhood for themselves while ignoring full assimilation. By this, the study delves into an extensive exploration of new postcolonial identities and cultures as a result of colonial oppression. This study does not only an analysis of past practices but rather a critical examination of the legacies of colonial practices on today’s societies. It aims to contribute to the ongoing discussions on the complexities of postcolonial identity by shedding light on the versatile nature of colonial history and its legacy. Through the analysis of The Grass is Singing and The Lonely Londoners, this study aims to deepen our understanding of how colonialism has shaped and continues to shape the world even today.