Another theme is the exploitation of resources. In many colonialism - related African fiction, like 'Heart of Darkness', we see how the colonizers are mainly interested in the wealth of Africa, be it ivory or other resources, and how they use the local people as a means to extract these resources.
One great book is 'Things Fall Apart' by Chinua Achebe. It shows the impact of colonialism on African society through the story of Okonkwo. It beautifully depicts the pre - colonial Igbo culture and how the arrival of the colonizers disrupted it.
Another important work is 'Things Fall Apart' by Chinua Achebe. It shows the impact of colonialism on African tribes. It's a story about a traditional Igbo community and how the arrival of the white colonizers disrupts their way of life, culture, and social order. It challenges the Western view of Africa as a primitive and uncivilized place before colonization.
Fantasy fiction often uses colonialism as a theme to explore power dynamics. Some works depict it in a more subtle way. There could be a situation where a so - called 'advanced' magical society offers to 'help' a less - developed one. But in reality, they are slowly taking over, changing the local culture and economy to suit their own needs. This reflects how colonial powers used the guise of 'civilizing missions' in the real world. The fantasy setting allows for a unique exploration of how such colonial relationships affect both the colonizers and the colonized, including their identities, magic systems, and social structures.
In science fiction, colonialism is often depicted in various ways. Sometimes it shows the exploitation of alien planets similar to how colonial powers exploited Earth's colonies in history. For example, in some stories, Earthlings go to other planets, take over the resources, and subjugate the native species.
Resistance is a theme that runs through many such novels. The colonized people did not always accept colonial rule passively. They fought back in various ways, whether through open rebellion or more subtle forms of resistance like maintaining their cultural traditions in secret. This theme gives a sense of agency to the colonized characters in the novels and shows that they were not just victims but also agents of change.
Colonialism's influence on science fiction is quite complex. In science fiction, the concept of colonialism can be used to critique or support real - world ideologies. Many early science fiction works were written during the height of colonial empires, and they sometimes unconsciously reflected colonialist mentalities. For instance, stories might show humans terraforming and colonizing planets without much consideration for the existing ecosystems or potential intelligent life. This reflects the colonial disregard for native cultures and environments. However, as time has passed, science fiction has also become a medium to deconstruct colonialism. Writers use the genre to show the negative consequences of colonial - like behavior, such as the breakdown of inter - species relations and the moral decay of the colonizing force.
Colonialism influenced the emergence of science fiction. Colonial expansion brought new knowledge about different parts of the world and peoples. This led to a sense of wonder and speculation. Science fiction often plays with the idea of the 'exotic' and 'alien', which was in part inspired by the experiences of colonial encounters. The technological advancements made for colonial purposes, like better ships and navigation tools, also inspired ideas of future technologies in science fiction.
One connection is that colonialism led to a broadening of the human perspective. People during colonial times were exposed to a vast array of new things, from strange animals to different languages. This exposure translated into science fiction as a means to explore even more extreme differences, like those between humans and aliens. Another connection is the idea of expansion. Just as colonial powers expanded across the globe, science fiction often features expansion into space or to new, uncharted territories. Colonialism also brought about a sense of superiority in some cultures, which is reflected in science fiction through the portrayal of more 'advanced' human or alien civilizations.
It also represents colonialism through the narrative of discovery. Just as historical explorers 'discovered' new lands and claimed them, sci - fi characters might 'discover' new planets and immediately start to colonize them without proper regard for the existing life forms. The power imbalances are highlighted, like the way the colonizers in science fiction often have more political and economic power than the colonized. This can lead to situations where the colonized have no say in how their own world is run.