Othering

Definition

Othering is the process by which a group or individual is defined as different and often inferior to the dominant group, leading to exclusion or marginalization. This concept plays a critical role in understanding identity, power dynamics, and social relations, particularly in postcolonial contexts where colonized subjects are often framed as 'the other' in relation to colonial powers.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Othering can manifest in literature as characters or cultures are portrayed in ways that emphasize their differences from the dominant culture, often leading to stereotypes.
2. In postcolonial literature from the Indian subcontinent, othering reflects the colonial experience where colonized subjects are depicted as exotic or primitive compared to their colonizers.
3. The effects of othering can lead to social alienation, where individuals or groups feel disconnected from mainstream society due to imposed identities.
4. Authors from the Indian subcontinent use othering to critique colonial ideologies and highlight the struggles for identity and self-representation after independence.
5. The concept is crucial for understanding how power is maintained through cultural narratives that construct 'us' versus 'them' frameworks in society.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of othering manifest in postcolonial literature from the Indian subcontinent?
  • In postcolonial literature from the Indian subcontinent, othering manifests through narratives that depict characters and cultures as fundamentally different from the colonizers. This often involves portraying indigenous cultures as exotic or primitive while emphasizing Western values as superior. Authors like Salman Rushdie and Arundhati Roy use othering to critique these colonial stereotypes and to explore complex identities that emerge in the aftermath of colonial rule.
• Discuss the implications of othering for identity formation within postcolonial societies.
  • Othering significantly impacts identity formation in postcolonial societies by creating divisions between those considered 'normal' or 'civilized' and those labeled as 'others.' This division often forces individuals to navigate multiple identities—one that is accepted by the dominant culture and another that reflects their authentic self. As a result, many writers address these complexities in their works, revealing how othering shapes both personal and collective identities within a newly independent context.
• Evaluate how othering contributes to social tensions and conflicts in postcolonial contexts, particularly in the Indian subcontinent.
  • Othering contributes to social tensions and conflicts in postcolonial contexts by perpetuating stereotypes that fuel discrimination and division among different groups. In the Indian subcontinent, the legacy of colonialism has led to deep-seated communal divides based on religion, ethnicity, and culture. By examining how narratives of otherness are constructed in literature and public discourse, we can see how they not only reinforce existing inequalities but also hinder reconciliation efforts among diverse communities striving for unity after colonial rule.

Related terms

Colonialism: The practice of acquiring and maintaining control over a territory and its people by a foreign power, often resulting in exploitation and cultural domination.

Identity Politics: Political positions based on the interests and perspectives of social groups with which people identify, often shaped by issues of race, gender, sexuality, and ethnicity.

Postcolonialism: A critical academic approach that analyzes the cultural, political, and economic legacies of colonialism and imperialism, focusing on the perspectives of colonized peoples.