An Anthology Of Colonial And Postcolonial Short Fiction

This anthology offers a balanced approach to colonial and postcolonial literature through a rich tapestry of short stories by both British colonizers and affected indigenous people. Organized by region, the compelling stories reflect the evolution of colonialism from the seventeenth to the twentieth century. Students explore the insights and emotions on both sides of the imperial fence, while learning about the hardships and triumphs of the colonial experience. A thorough pedagogical apparatus includes historical introductions, author headnotes, and reading questions that provide students with tools to approach each selection in an informed manner. Students come to appreciate how fiction both supported and questioned the basis and results of colonialism. Three general introductions--"Defining Imperialism and Colonialism," "The Colonial and Postcolonial Short Story," and "Postcolonial Theory: A Primer"--help students understand British colonialism, apply postcolonial theory to short fiction, and put the anthologized stories into historical and literary context. Short stories from eight regions cover works from England and its colonies across the globe: Ireland, Canada, the Caribbean, India, Pakistan, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Regional introductions thoroughly interweave history and literary history to help students delve into each region's short fiction with the background they need. A wide representation of authors introduces students to internationally recognized authors such as Chinua Achebe, Margaret Atwood, Jamaica Kincaid, Salman Rushdie, and Keri Hulme, as well as lesser known but equally important writers--all of whom wrote their stories originally in English. Author headnotes place the writers in postcolonial context and provide informative biographical information. Questions following each reading selection encourage students to think critically about the stories and discuss them with peers. Explanatory footnotes help students to grasp unfamiliar regional references and colloquialisms within the short stories.