Binary Opposition and Colonial Hegemony: Structural and
Post-structural Study of Tariq Rahman’s “The Zoo”
Dr Mubarak Ali Lashari
Abstract
Post-coloniality
is exceptionally major phenomena in the contemporary world literature and
culture. It is more relevant to the cultural and literary paradigms of the
people who experienced colonisation and decolonisation. The centuries-old
practice of dominance left inerasable marks on the colonised people, their
minds, thoughts, culture, language and literature. In this direction, same effects can be found
on the identity of colonisers as well. Thus, postcolonial structure is hovering
over in the decolonised regions and their cultures as in mimicry, ambivalence,
hyberdity, and stereotype identity.
This
paper attempts to unfold the internal structures of tension between Centre and
peripheral privileges and binaries depicted by Tariq Rehman in his fictional
piece ‗The Zoo‘. Paper incorporates structural and post structural approaches
to identify concepts and language where priorities and privileges are
fictionalised. The analysis comes up with the findings that colonial hegemony
is prioritised and privileged on the cost of marginalised ones. As after
decolonisation phenomena, things are not given due rights and significance on
merit rather on the basis of Masters and Metropolitan origins and affiliations.
Key
words: colonialism, post colonialism, structuralism, deconstruction,
hegemony, metropolitan, marginalised, binary opposition
Introduction
The deconstruction of the terminology of
the fictional discourse and the colonial hegemony are well unfolding strategies
of the masterly discourse and texts to unveil the hidden realities. It helps to
explore the things not only in the sense of unequal duality but also in the
sense of marginality and hegemonic transition of concepts and ideas. Therefore,
fiction is not just a textual discourse or entertaining genre but to find time
and space in relatedness factuality. Unfolding this theoretical concept is necessary
in terms of some critical thinking i.e. structural analysis and inquiries can
be at par. This way can help to find two ways of looking at the creative
writing in order to identify the gaps and grey areas in literature and language
structures. It is in direction that things do not move in one direction and
ideas or not created in space, out of temporal and spatial capacities.
Therefore, nobody can think in a free and neutral environment. Thus, how to
judge and
129 discover the
hidden lines in the discourse, often remained useful strategy. Postcoloniality,
as one of the strategies in literature, is usually considered important point
of departure. It lends a hand to find a major historical period of hegemonic
scheme and design of domination in cultural studies. By this, many theories
expanded and various critical approaches remained helpful so far. In the
contemporary world, it remained vintage point not only in itself but also
interconnected discourse throughout the cultural description. Therefore, things
were seen from different angles and diverse perspectives. This analysis of the
story can be in that context and perspective to find out the ideas and
resources by the way.
Theoretical Background and Literature Review
Structural study of language and literature
has its origin round about one century ago when Swiss Linguist and philosopher
Ferdinand De Saussure (1857-1913) has propounded the theory of structural
linguistics. He very firmly analysed the systems of things around him and
society when he experienced the Geneva train from Paris. According to Barry
(2002) he brought all the concepts from such experiences to is theoretical
incorporation to his field of studies and he gave it the name of structuralism
or structural linguistics after the train experience, which moved from Paris to
Geneva, day in and day out. According to Suassure‘s analysis, this train is
given the name because of its system, and its peculiar identity is within its
system structure. Otherwise, nothing is same and nothing can be identified in
isolation. From there, structural studies arose and hovered over almost all the
humanistic studies and fields up to the hour.
On the other hand, there emerged another theory in the
reaction of structuralism, which also has reached at its pinnacle in the
postmodern era that is post-structuralism. Structuralism and post-structuralism
are very wide and encapsulate many philosophies under their wings. From that
point, the deconstruction is a very significant feature of post -structuralism.
Deconstruction is a reading strategy to unfold the things hidden and
marginalised.
Besides all generalisations, structuralism and
post-structuralism carry its identity uniquely and deeply. Newton (1997)
explains the origin of structuralism that ―Structuralism rose to prominence in
France through the application by the French anthropologist, Claude
Levi-Strauss, of Saussurian structural linguistics to the study of such
phenomena as myths, rituals, kinship relations, eating conventions‖. From this
foundational description, it can be inferred that Levi-Strauss studied the
structural systems by applying Saussurian concept to understand the systems.
The systems are mostly related to the human social and societal structures. All
these structures verily can be found in the weaving form of discourse and
literature. In this regard, he further confirms that ―literature seemed
especially appropriate to a structuralist approach since it was wholly made up
of language. Thus structuralist literary criticism tends to emphasise the
system of conventions which makes literature possible....‖ ( Newton, 1997:83).
From this explication, it is revealed that structuralist approach is much
apposite to study the literature, that is literature and structuralist theory
are based on language as their basic system. Language on the other hand, is
part of Saussurian study of semiotics. Semiotics systems may well be based on
signs i.e. signs of colour, size, signals, mathematics, or others which may
convey message to human understanding. Thus, the symbols of language are signs
which develop signifiers and from there signified. According to philosopher
G.S. Peirce (1839- 1910) ―‗the formal doctrine of signs‘, and Saussure in his Course de Linguistique Generale (1915)
argued that linguistics was only part of a general science of signs, which he
called semiology‖. Thus, structural and literature both owe their existence
from the language signs, letters, phonemes, morphemes and semenes. In this
context, we can see the structuralism and literature from structural points of
view as part of several other systems and we can see all that within the
systems. This is supported by Lashari (2013) that, ―structural approach bases
on the mutual interrelations and we cannot see things in isolation. Everything
in its essence is part of some other bigger structure‖ (Lashari, 2013: 43). In
this direction, we can say that structural approach believes in
interrelationship in things which are based on language. Language as a source
of relating things and giving meaning is reliable and only source to be
depended.
In contrast or reaction to that, or even expansion and
agreement to structuralism in some or other ways, post-structuralism/
deconstruction philosophy is sceptical and suspicious to almost all that
structural groundings. Deconstruction breaks the unities and parallels of
structuralism and digs out the priority and inferiority of the conceptual
systems in language. For example, structuralism believes in binary system of
the concepts. We know things/concepts from its opposites i.e. white because of
black, day to night, near to away etc. (Bertens, 2003). It is here that
deconstruction breaks down the system and recognises the privileged and
marginalised concepts and shows close proximity to postcolonial hegemony, more
specifically, linguistic hegemony and dominance. According to this approach,
the signifier does not always have one signifier but there are many signifiers
which have been called difference by Derrida (Narang, 2007). It is here that
both the approaches differ most widely on the basis of concepts recognition and
language dependency. Deconstruction believes that there are no fixed binaries
and equally synonyms or antonyms or binaries but there is fluidity of
concepts. There, the language and signs
can mislead or deceive to recognize the the things signified. In post
coloniality, there is always tension between centre and periphery. If binary
oppositions are accepted then there is privileged and marginalised concepts of
two things. So, there is no structural fixed binary opposition to recognise one
thing by other.
In this perspective, this study is aimed to incorporate the
mixture or blended approach of structuralism and post-structuralism (its
atypical feature deconstruction here) on Tariq Rehman‘s short story ―The Zoo‖.
The story is exquisitely depicted with the concepts of binary opposition of
structuralism and hegemonic application of poststructuralism. Two parallels but
with dominant and being dominated, privileged and marginalised, superior and
inferior elements, priority and depravity identities are fictionalised very
well. Thus, this study is an attempt to unravel the things in entirety and
exemplary.
The concept of superiority and inferiority, cultured and
savage, educated and illiterate, developed and under-developed, sensible and
sensuous and the like are closely and ideologically associated with the concept
of colonial representation of less-developed and privileged peoples of the
third world. It was the mission of colonisers and occupiers to civilise the
people and represent them. Thus, the concepts of privileges and dominance are
taken in such context at large. This, phenomenon floated upon the cultures,
customs, traditions and literature of the regions which came under the
influence. Subsequently, unconsciously, the affected cultures underpinned the
priorities and significance in their discourse and texts.
The Short Story and its Story-line
The short story ―The Zoo‖ published in
‗Selections from Pakistani Literature, Book Three, Prose‘ is original English
fiction by Pakistani fiction writer Tariq Rehman. Rehman according to Arif
(2005) is a prolific writer and linguist. He has published several books on
varied subjects including two collections of short stories‖ (Arif, 2005:193).
As author of many books, he has good understanding of conceptual fiction and
creative writing in postcolonial sense. The story is based on the elite and
aristocratic hegemony of elite class and their hobbies on the price of poor
peasants and their livelihood. The story is about Hashmat Ali who comes from
Sargodha to work in Lahore in an orchard of Malik Sahib, an elite person.
Hashmat Ali is poor from background and here he is employed only to shed his
labour and blood. He rents a house of lowest category with lesser facilities
and localities. He is not supposed to enjoy the sunshine neither the light of
electricity. He is even void of wind glows and other natural blessings created
by Master for all the world creatures. On the other side, the luxurious lodging
of animals at the personal home of the governor is shown. Even the dwelling
conditions of the public zoo and private and personal zoo of the Malik Sahib is
shown clearly. The difference is sought between the poor living conditions of
the poor people and lavish living of the animals. The reader is forced to
ponder over the conditions in binary opposition and mind blowing friction is
presented.
Theoretical Framework
Postcolonial theory and approach is one of
the analysis undertaken for the paper. In this approach, similar and dissimilar
ideas and concepts are seen in unparallel positions of the subject and the
masters i.e. marginal and centre‘s tension. For the purpose, theoretically,
structural point of view and structuralism, in which, things, ideas and concepts
are in binary opposition where one point is identified by the help of other
angles. But this structural frame is further decoded and explored by
post-structural or deconstruction strategy. This strategy unfolds two unequal
positions of centre and periphery, prioritised and marginalised by the Derrida
and others‘ theoretical points. How things are seen and perceived by the
dominant and dominated subjects where signifiers have not any one signified as
structuralism stands but have many signifieds. There are fluid and floating
signified points in the discourse. The story composed and written in
postcolonial subjects have many varied forms of signified concepts in the
context of hegemonic thinking. By the help of this framework, the discussion
and findings were carried out qualitatively and the conclusion was drawn
signifying the historical background of postcolonial phenomena.
Discussion and Findings
The story starts with discussion of Ikram
Arif and the secretary where Ikram sahib refuses to give more funds for the
zoo, whereas, the secretary argues that he has built lovely place for the
imported birds on the expenditure of bears for the zoo. Thus, the story begins
with binary opposition of the plight of zoo and lovely built place for birds.
Here binary opposition is broken with privileged and marginalisation of
indigenous zoo and its animals versus privileged condition of foreign ‗imported
birds‘.
The very next paragraph is unambiguous colonial hegemony
and justification that ‗but there has to be limit‘ for the local animals
whereas, imported birds and animals are free of this limit as they belong to
Centre. Here again the concept of metropolitan city and periphery is signified.
Dual financial standard and expenditure is depicted, and duality of policies is
exhibited that readers can consciously and unconsciously grasp. The process is
on the one hand lengthened and privileges are exhaustively justified on the
other hand. The imploring of the employees and the haughtiness of superior
authorities are much extended to clarify the bent of colonial hegemonic mind.
By this way, in the initial few paragraphs we can come
across the following structural binary oppositions with deconstruction and
postcolonial hegemony:
Indigenous/local
|
Foreign/imported
|
1. No more funds for zoo
2. Funds limit
3. Not lodged properly
|
1.
Lovely place
2.
Too much funds inevitable
3.
Lodge in style
|
Thus, in the context of above table and deconstructed
fabrication of the discourse, it is observable that colonial hegemony and
postcolonial mind-set is demonstrated. So, when we come across postcoloniality,
deconstruction is taking place and when we deconstruct the discourse,
postcoloniality is displayed at large. In this context both the theories and
approaches give the impression of interplaying.
In the forthwith flow of story, there comes the Austrian
firm with outlandish expenses to have animal zoo and all the focus is drawn to
the foreign prioritised project by the local rulers and government machinery.
It is exquisitely contrasted with the human condition of the people of
Pakistan, i.e. Punjab. It is portrayed in the wake of concepts of industrialised
Lahore and agriculturised identity people of the smaller cities like Sargodha.
The discourse of Lahore and Sargodha is well parallel with modifiers and
qualifiers attached to Lahore city and barrenised and deserted dry name of
Sargodha like;
Fabulous Lahore, Wide
world, it is not village louts like peasants... (‗Lahore was fabulous indeed, Chacha Barkat Ali told him, but not for
village louts like him‘. All the fabulous identity of Lahore is restricted
to capitalistic dominance, the people who are rulers and elite, ‗double
colonisation‘). Here fabulous Lahore is prioritised on the contrast of dull and
dry indigenous places and cities. Its metropolitan origin like wide world, cultured (like opposite to village louts as referred in above
paragraph) are owning the cannotational origin to stereotype identity of
colonised subjects by coloniser masters to justify their occupation and
exploitation. In the sequence, the industrialised origin and relatednesses are
adored and advanced to justify the power relation in the subjugated subjects
and territories. Sargodha, agriculture,
labourer
We can see the contrast, the binary opposition of
metropolitan city and agriculture city and their status well portrayed in the
lines of the short story. Lahore is fabulous because its industrial city with
technological development like with huge caterpillars
of dark titanic trains, milling crowd, apartments, and people in great hurry
etc….
The weighty qualifying terminology loaded with
technological register are further undervaluing the local identities and
proving the supremacy of the western heavy technological encroachment.
Beside these initial contrast and hegemonic binary
oppositions blended with structuralist and poststructurals built up schema,
readers come across the main thematic contrasts between indigenous human
condition and imported animals living standard. At this stage, story reaches at
its climax of hegemony and postcolonial privileges. The family of Hashmat Ali
hails from Sargodha and employed by Malik Sahib to turn his agricultural land
into orchard. It is another example of industrialised hegemony over
agricultural means of product. Here capital decides the destiny of land and its
utility. Hashmat Ali brings along his family; wife Fatima, Children Azmat Ali
and Zainab Bibi. Due to their meagre earning and livelihood at Sargodha working
as agricultural labourer, he moved to work under capitalist and industrial
patronage. At this juncture, story unfolds the significance of poor human
fellows and animals of rich, elitist and ruling class. The conditions are
pitiable for Hashmat and his family yet they are supposed to have Sabr and Shukr (Patience and satiation).
But the binary opposition is very significant like the following descriptions.
Living
conditions of Animals
|
Living
Conditions of Hashmat and his family
|
1.
The next few months were busy at the zoo as the outlandish Austrian
firm created appropriate landscape for different types of animals.
2.
By the end of the summer there verdant green grasslands for the
antelopes, the deer, the wild bison and the zebras. There were tall trees in
the giraffe‘s enclosure which itself had been enclosed into another
island-like enclosure....
3. The dens of the lions
were in terraced plateaus with groves of trees. They too had a moat round
them with drawbridges leading to an inner face.
|
1.
‗Electricity is expensive‘, said the property agent who brought him to
see it. ‗So the bulb will have to be small one.‘
2.
Fatima climbed up the stairs to her room. ‗It is bit dangerous‘, she
commented when Azmat tripped on a steep worn out step; the landlord should
get them repaired‘.
3. They were in front of
termite eaten door and Hashmat was struggling with a rusty lock. ‗Zoo‘ echoed his wife blankly. Hashmat
cursed the locked and Fatima pressed her daughter close. ...the lock opened
and the door creaked ajar. Hashmat flung it open and fetid stench of dirty
quilts assailed their nostrils. It was dark and cavernous inside.
|
Even though, they might be given the coaching of religious
consolation of reasons of haves and have nots, yet the natural ad instinctive
hunger and thirst remained unfixed. Even the occupied, colonised and exploited
people might be assured to get its reward in life hereafter but the children
like Azmat Ali and Zainab Bibi had genuine concerns and questions.
In this context, above comparative juxtaposing concepts
bring comprehensible discrimination of rich, elite and mimicking colonial
rulers‘ priorities to their even birds and the starving of the facilities and
utterly denied basics of human life to Hashmat Ali‘s family. It can be said
that there is peculiar discrimination with Hashmat Ali by some
people/ruler/superior authority but it is the system and structure that matter
a lot. The system and structure developed under the patronage of colonial
hegemony are not allowing availing the resource of ‗electricity and bulbs‘ and
the ‗lavish grass‘ and ‗the sun light‘. The animals of the mimicking people,
supposed to be born superior, are supposed to be superior to ordinary humans.
The animals are to be assured al the facilities and resources, whereas, the
people are to be frightened to the dangerous houses and buildings. Termite
eaten doors are the wasted minds of subjects for the metropolitan ones and
rusty locks are the ill fates of the colonised people.
Conclusion
To conclude the above discussion and
analysis, the story is great representation of inequity of the classes and
categories of the people and the location. It is all the matter of relatedness
and association. It may be seen in time and space bifurcation and racial
division with reference to subjects and master. Subsequently, the belongingness
matters most and prioritised rather than the human and animal coincidence.
Although all the best things were done in the name of human rights and human
dignity throughout the human history from conquering period to colonisation
experiences, yet the systems and structures are not authorized to have equity
and equal importance whatsoever. The things can be seen in the perspective of
the approach by the points. Firstly, belongingness of the things and relations
of masterly centres are given more than due priority as compared to the things
of colonised subjects. Secondly, the notions of story-line are not necessarily
based on equality and impartiality but on the concept of what comes from
outside rather than indigenous origin. Origin of the things matter a lot.
Thirdly, comparisons of the elements in the story are not in the sense of same
commodity but based on hegemonized commodity with marginalised ones. Finally,
the resource availed and used for prioritised and marginalised elements are not
equal as animals are given more importance on the lives of Hashmat and the family
of indigenous origin. Similarly, the adjectives and the characteristics in
language choice are based on the centre and peripherical preference that makes
things unequal in deconstruction signified concept.
References
• Arif, I.edt (2005). Selections from Pakistani literature, book
three, Prose. Islamabad: The Pakistan academy of letters
• Barry, P. (2002). Beginning theory: An introduction to
literary theory. Manchester: Manchester University Press
• Bertens, H. (2003). Literary theory: the basics. London and
New York: Routledge Taylor and Francis group.
• Lashari, M. A (2013).
Jadid adbi tanqidi nazrya (Modern
Literary Critical Theories). Sukkur: My publication
• Narang, G. C. (2007).
Sakhtiat, pas e sakhtiat aur masharqi shaariat.
Lahore: Sang e meel publications.
• Newton, K. M (1997). Twentieth – century literary theory. A
reader. London: Macmillan press ltd.
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