Nationhood and Nationalism in Postcolonial Literature
Postcolonial writers are really interested in nationhood and nationalism. A lot of these writers are very patriotic. They write books on behalf of their nations. Their work is often nationalist, because postcolonial writers like to highlight and valorize their nation's cultural, political and social identity.
Now, things didn't turn out so well for many countries after they gained independence. Whether it was corrupt politicians or a general lack of democracy, the problems were huge, and postcolonial writers got mad. Postcolonial literature isn't just about criticizing the colonial powers; it's also about criticizing the native corruption that betrayed the dreams of newly liberated nations.
Chew on This
The Chilean novelist Isabel Allende reflects on the class problems that plague Chile in these quotations from The House of the Spirits.
Salman Rushdie shows us how dysfunctional Pakistani (and postcolonial) nationhood is in Shame.