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Post-Colonial theory is a literary theory that allows readers to analyze works of literature throughout history using a variety of different themes. The themes such as identity, otherness, suppression, oppression, or race are used individually or together to analyze literature. Using these themes, the reader has the ability to analyze each character individually and appreciate what type of crisis they may be suffering from as a result of colonialism. Post-colonial theory has become an important literary tool used to compare works of literature from different time periods, cultures, religions. Comparing works from all around the world and from different time periods; allows the reader to make correlations that might not otherwise exist. In order to interpret a work of literature it is important to understand the historical context, and applying the POCO theory assist the interpretation process. Understanding the time period of the characters and what life was like after colonialism occurred can change the meaning and perception of the text.

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While learning the different themes of the Post-colonial theory, I began to realize I connected with the identity, otherness, race and language themes. My dad’s family is Italian, and my mom’s side of the family is Spanish and Native American. Growing up in south Texas however it becomes tiring and hard to explain that I am not Mexican or a Latina. Hearing comments expressing concerns because I don’t speak Spanish happen on a daily basis. I personally identify as Hispanic because it requires less explaining. However, within our family keeping cultural traditions and passing them down to each new generation is of extreme importance. Even though we keep the traditions going being surrounded by vastly different cultures causes a lack of identity and I have always felt like an outsider. I don’t speak Spanish, or Italian and I will never be enough of either race to be fully excepted.

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Crazy Rich Asians is a film about a young woman who falls in love with a man, who unbeknownst to her is from an extremely wealthy and prominent family. Rachel Chu is a Chinese-American raised by a single mother and is an economics professor at NYC. Throughout the movie themes of identity, otherness, class and race play a big role. When Rachel meets and falls in love with Nick Young, she does not know who he truly is or how important he is. Although Rachel’s mother has done her best to raise her daughter with knowledge of Chinese culture and traditions, Rachel is Americanized. Nick invites Rachel to a wedding in his homeland of Singapore where she finds out his true identity. Upon arriving she immediately feels like an outsider luckily her college roommate, Peik Lin, who resides in Singapore provides guidance and advice. Nick’s friends and family instantaneously pass judgement on Rachel, some like her while others hate her, however they all agree she is not good enough for him. Since she was raised in America Nick’s mother, Eleanor, questions Rachel’s beliefs in Chinese traditions and her understanding of Singapore’s traditions. “Pursuing one’s passions. How American. Well, your mother is very open-minded, not like here, where parents are obsessed with shaping the life of their children” (Jacobson, Penotti, Simpson & Chu, 2018, Crazy Rich Asians). Throughout the movie Rachel is challenged with feeling like an outsider, being from a lower middle-class and also lacks identity because she had never met her real father. Eleanor hires a private investigator to find out the truth about Rachel’s family and finds out Rachel’s fathers real name. Eventually Rachel is able to stand up to both Nick’s grandmother and his mother Eleanor proving she is worthy enough to join their family.

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The movie The Notebook displays several Post-Colonial themes such as otherness, race and class. Noah Calhoun is a poor lumbermill worker, who falls in love with Allie Hamilton, an heiress. Noah knows he is not from the same class as Allie and in her mother, Anne’s eyes he will never be good enough for her. Anne refers to Noah as trash because he is a lumbermill worker. The movie takes place during the 1940s in Seabrook Island South Carolina at a time when racism and class are very big factors. In an attempt to keep Noah and Allie apart Anne moves the family back to Charleston and shortly after Noah enlists to fight in world war II. During the war Allie has no idea where Noah is or if he is coming back so she begins to date Lon, a young lawyer who comes from old money. When Noah returns from war he finds out about Allie’s engagement, and decides he will win her back buy building her dream home. He believes if he can present her with a grand home that he will be worthy of her family and her needs. Shortly before her wedding to Lon is to take place, she travels back to Seabrook Island and reunites with Noah. Her mother follows her and gives her the letters Noah sent every day for a year professing his love. Anne explains she doesn’t believe Noah can provide the life she deserves because he doesn’t come from money. Anne also tells her daughter she was in love once with a lower-class man, but she chose to marry for money not love because money provides a better life. Allie decides to ignore the warnings and follows her heart’s desire choosing Noah over money and titles.

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Jacobson, N., Penotti, J., Simpson, B. (Producers) & Chu, J.M. (Director). (August 15, 2018) Crazy Rich Asians [Motion Picture]. United States: Warner Bros. Pictures.

Crazy Rich Asians Photo Derived from:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3104988/mediaviewer/rm956647680

Harrison, L., Johnson, M. (Producers) & Cassavetes, N. (Director). (June 25, 2004) The Notebook [Motion Picture]. United States: New Line Cinema.

The Notebook Photo Derived from:

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0332280/mediaviewer/rm1228880128