# data[].attributes.body
To me postcolonial theory is an organized way to discuss, or analyze, literature, film, television, music, gaming and much more.  I was never formally introduced to the term “postcolonial theory” until this class.  However, I have used it throughout my life without knowing it.  I am a huge movie fan and have a lot of friends who share my interest.  We have used many of the postcolonial themes to discuss our favorite movie into great detail.  We would discuss identity, class system and oppression.

The postcolonial theory is still a tool that is used today.  It is used to discuss classical literature like we are doing in class.  It is also used to discuss current literature, movies, video games, television and much more.  There are many complex characters today that have many different layers to them like Gilgamesh.

Today we utilize postcolonial themes such as identity, race, and class to discuss all topics.  An example would be Cassius Marcellus Clay, also known as Muhammad Ali.  He was arrested and found guilty of draft evasion charges, therefore I would  identify him as a selfish man who placed his own needs above his country.  Yet, I actually have a lot of friends who consider and identify Muhammad Ali, as an American Hero.  They identify him for the good he has done and have forgiven him for his transcriptions against America.  They have shown me literature where he is referred to as a Hero and an American Icon.  I haven’t forgiven Cassius for these wrong doings and If you were to ask me, “Who is Cassius Clay?”, I’d respond “He is a dodge drafter and felon.”  I would never refer to him as a hero.

This is one of the ways we use postcolonial theory today.  We use it to identify and discuss almost everything.  The example of Muhammad Ali demonstrates how individual’s opinions and perspectives can defer.  This leads to great discussions and friendly debate.

# data[].attributes.body
The postcolonial theme that resonates the most with me is Identity.  I love the complex and different perspective people can have on a character, show, movie, song and video game.  Individuals can read or watch a television show and identify characters in a different way.  One person can identify a character as a “good man”, while another may identify him as “thug”,   “criminal”, or even a “murderer”.

For example, Jamie Lannister, a character from The Game of Thrones may be considered a murderer.  When I first started to watch this series I thought he was a horrible person and an evil man.  As the season progressed, I have realized that he has many good characteristics and is an honorable man.  The reason I bring him up in a postcolonial theory discussion is because I find myself discussing his identity, otherness and more postcolonial themes with my friends.  How can one of us think a man who pushed a kid from a window to his apparent death be considered good?  Shouldn’t that character be looked at as a bad man and uncivilized?  Yet, we have long discussions on why he is not.  That’s what makes the complexity of the characters and the use of postcolonial theory so interesting.

# data[].attributes.body
In the movie, The Dark Knight, I believe that there are several obvious signs of identity issues.  The two main characters, Batman and Joker, have identity issues that one can spot before they enter the movie theater.  The movie posters show the Joker wearing makeup and Batman wearing a suit and mask to disguise their identity. Anytime you have a hero that disguises him or herself raises the questions of their identity.  Bruce Wayne, who is Batman, hides his identity from the world to live two separate lives.

In the movie, Bruce Wayne identifies himself as a servant and protector of the people while trying to protect justice. Some people may identify him as the dark knight or bat crusader.  The one thing he does not identify himself as is a criminal and that’s what makes this movie so great.  In order for the Batman to catch the Joker he must become the one thing he despises the most, a criminal.  He has to break the law in order to catch the Joker.  Batman takes on the mantle of a killer even though it subverts the very justice he seeks to uphold

The Joker’s identity is never provided during the movie.  In fact, he never truly discloses anything about himself and hides his identity from everyone including the very people who he commits crime with.  He loves to toy with his true identity which makes him the Joker.  Several times throughout the movie he tells different stories about what happened to his face, or his identity.  The ironic thing about the Joker in aspects of identity is the fact that he is trying to destroy the identities of Batman and Harvey Dent.” (Joyner, 2018 p. 6)

# data[].attributes.body
The other show that has several identity issues is The Game of Thrones which airs on HBO.  I discussed earlier in this report about the identity issues with Jamie Lannister, but there are several others who have major identity issues.  Let me start off with the character Jon Snow who is first introduced as the “bastard” and often addressed that way through several of the seasons.  He identifies himself as a good man, a protector of the wall and as a member of the night watch.  Others start to identify him as their informal leader until he is formally promoted and titled “Commander of the Night Watch”.

Jon Snows character is so interesting to discuss regarding identity because you never know who his parents really are and if he is a simple man.  He is referred to as the “bastard of the north” because his father had him out of wedlock.  They suggest several times throughout the show who his mother may be, but never do provide the details.  Jon Snow was also brought back to life by a witch.  This has led to many conversations about whether or not he is still a mortal man.

The Game of Thrones has another strong postcolonial theme known as otherness.  They love to label characters and groups of people.  There are seven kingdoms in the Game of Thrones with the highest kingdom known as the Capital. Those not from the capital were outsiders known as wildlings, giants, children of the forest, free folks, white walkers and others.  This not only represents the people but their otherness.

# data[].attributes.headline
Roots, Game of Thrones: Explore Westeros With New Video of the Series Open, 2016

# data[].attributes.subject
Roots, Game of Thrones: Explore Westeros With New Video of the Series Open, 2016

# data[].attributes.body
IMP Awards / 2008 Movie Poster Gallery / The Dark Knight (#15 of 24) / XLG Image  http://www.impawards.com/2008/dark_knight_ver12.html

Joyner, J. (2018) How ‘The Dark Knight’ Plays With the Theme of Identity.  Retrieved December 4, 2018 from https://www.slashfilm.com/the-dark-knight-themes/

Roots, K. (2016).   Game of Thrones: Explore Westeros With New Video of the Series Open.    Retrieved December 3, 2018, from https://tvline.com/2016/04/13/game-of-thrones-video-title-sequence-fly-360/