A New Interpretation of Double Consciousness: The Case of Wole Soyinka

Asli Kutluk

Article Details

A New Interpretation of Double Consciousness: The Case of Wole Soyinka

Authors:

Asli Kutluk

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Edebi Çalışmalar (Diğer)

Journal:

Tiyatro Eleştirmenliği ve Dramaturji Bölümü Dergisi Issue 38, pp.12-26

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001323490

pISSN:

1303-8605

Keywords:

Abstract:

 This study argues that double consciousness as a sociopsychological situation manifests in various ways under colonial and postcolonial circumstances. Although W.E.B. Du Bois introduced the concept of double consciousness at the beginning of the twentieth century to describe an inward feeling of doubleness experienced by African American individuals, this concept has inspired postcolonial theorists such as Homi K. Bhabha, Stuart Hall, and Paul Gilroy. Hence, this study will briefly explain the contemporary theoretical reflections of Du Boiss concept of double consciousness, demonstrating how this concept can be handled with a more contemporary and comprehensive perspective and exemplifying this through the plays of Nigerian playwright Wole Soyinka. Examples have been selected from Soyinkas Death and the Kings Horseman, The Lion and the Jewel, and The Invention. These plays show various manifestations of double consciousness as a condition involving a double-sided interaction between the colonizer and the colonized. Each play reveals a different aspect of double consciousness with its expanded and updated meaning in this study.

 This study argues that double consciousness as a sociopsychological situation manifests in various ways under colonial and postcolonial circumstances. Although W.E.B. Du Bois introduced the concept of double consciousness at the beginning of the twentieth century to describe an inward feeling of doubleness experienced by African American individuals, this concept has inspired postcolonial theorists such as Homi K. Bhabha, Stuart Hall, and Paul Gilroy. Hence, this study will briefly explain the contemporary theoretical reflections of Du Boiss concept of double consciousness, demonstrating how this concept can be handled with a more contemporary and comprehensive perspective and exemplifying this through the plays of Nigerian playwright Wole Soyinka. Examples have been selected from Soyinkas Death and the Kings Horseman, The Lion and the Jewel, and The Invention. These plays show various manifestations of double consciousness as a condition involving a double-sided interaction between the colonizer and the colonized. Each play reveals a different aspect of double consciousness with its expanded and updated meaning in this study.

 This study argues that double consciousness as a sociopsychological situation manifests in various ways under colonial and postcolonial circumstances. Although W.E.B. Du Bois introduced the concept of double consciousness at the beginning of the twentieth century to describe an inward feeling of doubleness experienced by African American individuals, this concept has inspired postcolonial theorists such as Homi K. Bhabha, Stuart Hall, and Paul Gilroy. Hence, this study will briefly explain the contemporary theoretical reflections of Du Boiss concept of double consciousness, demonstrating how this concept can be handled with a more contemporary and comprehensive perspective and exemplifying this through the plays of Nigerian playwright Wole Soyinka. Examples have been selected from Soyinkas Death and the Kings Horseman, The Lion and the Jewel, and The Invention. These plays show various manifestations of double consciousness as a condition involving a double-sided interaction between the colonizer and the colonized. Each play reveals a different aspect of double consciousness with its expanded and updated meaning in this study.

 Bu çalışma, sosyopsikolojik bir durum olarak çifte bilinçliliğin kolonyal ve postkolonyal şartlarda çeşitli şekillerde dışa vurduğunu savunur. W.E.B. Du Bois çifte bilinçlilik kavramını 20. yüzyılın başında Afrikalı Amerikalı bireylerin içsel ikilik hissini tanımlamak üzere ortaya atmış olsa da bu kavram, Homi K. Bhabha, Stuart Hall ve Paul Gilroy gibi postkolonyal kuramcılara ilham kaynağı olmuştur. Dolayısıyla bu çalışmada Du Boisin çifte bilinçlilik kavramının günümüzdeki kuramsal yansımaları ana hatlarıyla anlatılarak bu kavramın daha güncel ve kapsamlı bir bakış açısı ile ele alınabileceği gösterilmiş ve bu bakış açısı Nijeryalı yazar Wole Soyinkanın oyunları üzerinden örneklendirilmiştir. Çalışmada Soyinkanın Death and the Kings Horseman Ölüm ve Kralın Süvarisi, The Lion and the Jewel Aslan ile Mücevher ve The Invention İcat isimli oyunlarından örnekler verilmiştir. Bu oyunlar sömürgeci ile sömürülen arasındaki çift taraflı etkileşimleri içeren bir durum olarak çifte bilinçliliğin çeşitli şekillerde dışavurumlarını göstermektedir. Her bir oyun, teorik açıdan bu çalışmada genişletilmiş ve güncelleştirilmiş anlamıyla çifte bilinçliliğin farklı bir yönünü ortaya koymaktadır.

Article Details

A New Interpretation of Double Consciousness: The Case of Wole Soyinka

Authors:

Asli Kutluk

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Edebi Çalışmalar (Diğer)

Journal:

Tiyatro Eleştirmenliği ve Dramaturji Bölümü Dergisi Issue 38, pp.12-26

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001323490

pISSN:

1303-8605

double consciousness

postcolonial

cultural positioning

Soyinka

Du Boisçifte bilinçlilik

postkolonyal

kültürel konumlanma

Soyinka

Du Bois

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Asli Kutluk

Publisher: Istanbul University

Main Topics: Edebi Çalışmalar (Diğer)

Journal: Tiyatro Eleştirmenliği ve Dramaturji Bölümü Dergisi Issue 38, pp.12-26

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 6/2024

Document Language: Turkish

Document ID (Org No.): 2001323490

pISSN: 1303-8605

Issues

Authors:

Asli Kutluk

Publisher:

Istanbul University

Main Topics:

Edebi Çalışmalar (Diğer)

Journal:

Tiyatro Eleştirmenliği ve Dramaturji Bölümü Dergisi Issue 38, pp.12-26

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

6/2024

Document Language:

Turkish

Document ID (Org No.):

2001323490

pISSN:

1303-8605