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Postcolonial Analysis

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Postcolonial Analysis

Postcolonial theory has many themes ranging from identity to hybridity. Many, if not all of these themes can be found in any literature reading. The theme that is the most interesting is oppression. Oppression can be displayed in many ways and forms within any literature reading and can be obvious, or very subtle. All the themes seem to flow together and are often times created from the effects of another theme. For example, oppression can be an effect of identity. Identity is how a person sees themselves and those that are not at the same class or level of knowledge as them. This starts the theme of oppression. Oppression is when someone has control or power over someone or a group of people and controls their actions and way of life. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, the city of Uruk is ruled by Gilgamesh, who is part god and part human that was created by the gods. With his power as a ruler of Uruk, he created his own set of rules for the people of Uruk to follow that may not have been a part of their everyday lives before Gilgamesh arrived in their city. In The Epic of Gilgamesh, a townsperson tells Enkidu “Gilgamesh the king is about to celebrate marriage with the Queen of Love, and he still demands to be first with the bride, the king to be first, and the husband to follow”(6). This is one example of how Gilgamesh uses his power to oppress the lives of the people of Uruk to do as he says. Gilgamesh also takes the young sons of the townspeople to use as he sees fit. The fact that the men of Uruk complain about the rules that Gilgamesh has in place, proves that they are not happy with how most things are within their city. Since Gilgamesh knows he is part god, he uses this as an advantage and thinks it gives him the right to have authority and power over the people of Uruk to have them do anything he says. The

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