In the post-colonial texts, there seems to have been a shift from strictly focusing on the how society’s expectations damage the individual but how every action has an equal reaction which leads to lessons and commentary on societal practices of the time. the most emphasized theme being that of tradition and culture, and when we should question it. Some of the stories that are best suited to emphasizing this aspect of post-colonial literature are “The Prophet’s Hair” by Salman Rushdie, “Punishment” by Sean Heaney, and “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad
“The Prophet’s Hair” serves as a great piece that shows the dangers of blind religion and that sometimes it can be used to mask evils. The main character, Hashim uses religion and warps it suit his narrative throughout the story whenever he commits a crime. While it can be hard to sympathize with Hashim because of his actions, I believe that he is ultimately a victim of a greater system in the way that the characters of the other stories are. Hashim is ultimately meant to symbolize an empty symbol for religion and what happens when you blindly follow
Similar to how Hashim is victimized, “Punishment” tells a similar story of how tradition can lead groups to make destructive decisions that harm others. It may be the case that there is a reason for the ritual however when a human life is taken or damaged as a result of such, it’s important ask why. There is an over-arching theme of voyeurism in the piece which is not necessarily sexual in nature. But instead, this voyeurism based on the perspective of a watcher, someone that witnesses something but does not act. This piece sheds light on how practices persist and how we all can become watchers in the face of horror.
Finally, Heart of Darkness is also about the damage that imperialism has done to indigenous populations but also how it leads to corruption within the individual. Ultimately, these stories all share the similar theme of blind faith leads to the loss of self. In the end what leads to the end of these characters fortune and lives is their involvement and participation in these traditions that as the viewer in “Punishment” identifies, makes voyeurs of us.
“The Prophet’s Hair” serves as a great piece that shows the dangers of blind religion and that sometimes it can be used to mask evils. The main character, Hashim uses religion and warps it suit his narrative throughout the story whenever he commits a crime. While it can be hard to sympathize with Hashim because of his actions, I believe that he is ultimately a victim of a greater system in the way that the characters of the other stories are. Hashim is ultimately meant to symbolize an empty symbol for religion and what happens when you blindly follow
Similar to how Hashim is victimized, “Punishment” tells a similar story of how tradition can lead groups to make destructive decisions that harm others. It may be the case that there is a reason for the ritual however when a human life is taken or damaged as a result of such, it’s important ask why. There is an over-arching theme of voyeurism in the piece which is not necessarily sexual in nature. But instead, this voyeurism based on the perspective of a watcher, someone that witnesses something but does not act. This piece sheds light on how practices persist and how we all can become watchers in the face of horror.
Finally, Heart of Darkness is also about the damage that imperialism has done to indigenous populations but also how it leads to corruption within the individual. Ultimately, these stories all share the similar theme of blind faith leads to the loss of self. In the end what leads to the end of these characters fortune and lives is their involvement and participation in these traditions that as the viewer in “Punishment” identifies, makes voyeurs of us.