Playing with Darkness: A Study of Toni Morrison’s Early Novels from Postcolonial Perspective (Book)

 The basic premise of this research is an attempt to identify key issues of post colonial theory like hegemony, displacement, stereotyping, resistance, subversion and hybridity which are reflected in the vivid experiences of Morrison's characters. As an African American woman writer, Morrison consciously thinks and theorizes about enslavement. In her creative reflections about slavery and racism in America, she anticipates many of the post colonial concerns. Indeed, her canon itself reflects the pattern of colonization and decolonization. Her early work (first four novels) struggles with the effects of colonization on African American individuals and the community while her later work (her trilogy) moves into an exploration of decolonized African American culture and history. Highlighting the 'geometrical oppression' of race, sex and class, Morrison vividly portrays the double heritage of African Americans. Racially they are essentially African but white blood has undoubtedly mixed into it. Similarly, culturally every attempt was made by the white masters to wipe out African language, culture and heritage yet a very powerful black undercurrent has been instrumental in the very conception of America as a nation.