What is Mimicry?
In the context of postcolonialism, mimicry refers to the way colonized people adopt the customs, techniques, and language of the colonizer. It is not a simple imitation but a complex strategy of representation that can be both subversive and reinforcing of colonial power structures. Mimicry can be seen as both a symptom of colonial influence and a tactic of resistance.
Key Thinkers dealing with Mimicry
- Homi K. Bhabha: Arguably the most influential figure in the discussion of mimicry in postcolonial theory, Bhabha introduced the idea in his seminal works. He posited that mimicry can be a double-edged sword. While it can be a sign of colonial domination, it can also be a means of undermining the authority of the colonizer. For Bhabha, mimicry is "at once resemblance and menace."
- Frantz Fanon: A psychiatrist and philosopher, Fanon explored the psychological effects of colonization. In his works, especially "Black Skin, White Masks," he discussed how colonized individuals might internalize the values of the colonizer, leading to a kind of mimicry that can be both empowering and self-deprecating.
3. Implications of Mimicry
- Cultural Hybridity: One of the outcomes of mimicry is the emergence of hybrid cultures. As colonized societies adopt elements from the colonizers, they create new cultural forms that are neither entirely indigenous nor entirely foreign. This hybridity can be a source of creativity and resilience but can also lead to identity crises.
- Power Dynamics: Mimicry can subtly reinforce colonial power dynamics. When colonized people adopt the ways of the colonizer, it can sometimes be seen as validating the superiority of the colonizer's culture and values.
- Resistance and Subversion: On the flip side, mimicry can also be a tool of resistance. By adopting the colonizer's methods and turning them against the colonizer, colonized people can subvert the power structures. This is evident in many postcolonial literatures where the language of the colonizer is used to critique colonialism.
- Identity and Self-perception: Mimicry can lead to complex questions about identity. The colonized individual, in mimicking the colonizer, might face an internal conflict between their indigenous identity and the imposed colonial identity. This can lead to feelings of alienation, inferiority, or overcompensation.
