Colonization: Transformation of Culture and Literature

Franz Fanon states that “O colonialismo e o imperalismo não pagaram suas contas quando retiraram suas bandeiras e forças policiais de nosso território.” ( apud, p.46) With this quotation in mind we want to make some comments about the effect of colonization. Another important author in this theme is Edward Said who believes that imperialism change much more than economy- the colonization transform culture, education, art, tradition and so on. In the literature aspect is important to point out that the literature production from colonized countries used, in majority, the colonizer formal way of doing it – the novel. And also they are part of a community that speaks a diverse number of languages but they write in English. So we can ask: Why?

On the book Midnight’s Children, Salman Rushdie, describes it. Sir William Methwold sold his property but with a condition: the new residents had to maintain absolutely everything in the same place, so they cannot change the furniture or even throw a spoon away. Sir Methwold introduces a time for drinks and talk. So, in a similar way the British Empire goes away but their mode of governing was imposed. The political power still the same was just transferred to local

Starting with Chimamanda’s book we have the twin sisters – Olanna and Kainene. Both were igbo and rich characters that chosen different sides of life. They have had a British education and do not have faith in the local religion. Olanna is a university teacher married with a revolutionary professor. Both believe that changes were possible, they wrote manifests and try to help during the war period, she teaches and introduce nationalism to children. In the other side Kainene was a corrupt businesswoman that lives quasi a normal life during the war period. She was a strong woman who continuous working, living in the same house and having sufficient