The English Patient and His Black Skin, White Masks
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2024-06-15
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en
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Abstract
Despite the formal end of the Western empires in the 20th century, the legacy of colonialism
continues to shape our view on power dynamics. Many theories were founded on the
principles of colonialism therefore, it is essential to deconstruct them in order to liberate them
from their connotations. One crucial concept that emerged in the wake of colonialism is
postcoloniality, which challenges the established structures of the imperialist past.
Postcolonial discourse emphasizes the need for marginalized communities to advocate their
narratives and reclaim agency over their histories, languages, and cultures. Michael
Ondaatje’s novel, The English Patient (1992), serves as a rich subject for postcolonial
analysis. By using Frantz Fanon’s theory of the white mask, this research aims to examine the
book’s nuanced portrayal of colonialism and its impact on identity, memory, and feeling of
inferiority.
My research question focuses on the main character in two different environments:
Europe and North Africa. I centered my text around how the identity of the English Patient
changes in the book due to physical and psychological impact.
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