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Postcolonial theory is an analysis of literary work to determine if certain topics are emphasized. These topics are controversial and include culture, power, and racism among many others. Today, it could be useful to use postcolonial theory as part of a decision tree to emphasize “What not to do in today's era." However, I also believe that in todays era (specifically in the US) we are moving backwards and giving life to imperialism/diaspora. There appears to be a lot of hatred and segregation reoccurring. This will definitely lead to many upcoming books that can be used in future literature classes. Edward Said’s brought to life the study of post-colonialism in his book Orientalism published in 1978. Said was described as “belonging to the postmodern phenomenon of the global diaspora” (Willette, 2013). He was a Palestinian who was born in Jerusalem and died in exile in America.

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When I reflect on the obstacles I faced this current term, both inside of school and within my career, it leads me to the postcolonial theme of identity. As I anticipate receiving a passing grade in World Literature and thus graduating, I find myself reflecting on my plans soon after. It is interesting because throughout my two years spent at UIW, my plan remained consistent. I was going to have this expensive piece a paper so I can then qualify to become an accountant with my current employer. Now I am contemplating a career change and have conflicting feelings about it. I am both excited and nervous. However, as UIW reminds its students/alumni, “The universe is yours” and I whichever route I decide to take, I’m going to own it!

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In 2016, The Legend of Tarzan hit theaters and it raised controversy once again due to postcolonial theory. The last time Tarzan raised these same concerns about colonization was in 2014 and this is because of Tarzan’s back story/ history. When Tarzan was originally written by Edgar Rice Burroughs in 1912, it was at a time when Africa was still being discovered and was considered an uncivilized, lost world. It also referred to as dark continent. Burroughs was able extend his imagination into his fictional books because of this unknown. Today, “While we live in post-colonial times, Tarzan is the epitome of a colonialist hero, namely a white man inserted into an indigenous population of primitive Africans, who are always, of course, less advanced than “civilized” white colonialists.” (Bradley, 2016).

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In 1995 Disney released Pocahontas, the animated love story between an Indian woman and a Caucasian man.  The postcolonial theme I recall from this movie is imperialism. The English men arrive to Pocahontas’ land and give it their own name, the “New World” and attempt to take over the land in order to take natural resources in need. This movie is notorious for the same use of names to describe the “others” as we heard in Heart of Darkness. "They then refer to the indigenous people as “savages”, “filthy heathens” and “injuns”. In fact, some of the lyrics say “we’ll kill ourselves an injun”. The fact that this cartoon presents the Native Americans as savages, gives away the message that it is okay to kill people for their land and their wealth" (tselmuun319, 2016). It makes you question, how could Pocahontas fall in love with such an invader. In addition, John Smith and his men are responsible for a member of Pocahontas’ tribe.

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J. W. (2016, September 6). Post-Colonial Theory: Edward Said. Retrieved December 06, 2017, from http://arthistoryunstuffed.com/post-colonial-theory-edward-said/

'Legend of Tarzan': Post-colonial reboot less than compelling. (2016, July 24). Retrieved December 06, 2017, from https://www.commdiginews.com/entertainment/legend-of-tarzan-post-colonial-reboot-less-than-compelling-68333/

Haar, P. V. (2016, July 01). Reviews For The Easily Distracted: The Legend Of Tarzan. Retrieved December 06, 2017, from http://www.houstonpress.com/arts/reviews-for-the-easily-distracted-the-legend-of-tarzan-8521414

Pocahontas / Disney. (n.d.). Retrieved December 06, 2017, from http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Disney/Pocahontas

(n.d.). Retrieved December 06, 2017, from https://wmich.edu/dialogues/texts/orientalism.htm