The artistic perception of human body has been a long-time problematic issue for it necessitates interdisciplinary approach of analysis and recognition. The interdisciplinarity of typical body perception involves quite variable disciplines such as sociology, psychology, semiotics, neurobiology, philosophy, literary and cultural theory, which underscore the complicated dynamics of how everyone perceives one’s own or others’ bodies, impacted by both inward cognitive processes and outward social dynamics. By integrating postcolonial, psychoanalytic, feminist, and cultural theories, how could the concept of “fragmented body” be decolonized via Literary Representation? Post colonial literature depicts the psychological, physical, social, economic, political, and cultural fragmentation of the marginalized, oppressed, and colonized body. This postmodern, post structuralist, and post-colonial literary perception of the body is neither a static nor an isolated phenomenon; quite the reverse, it is intricately associated with the ways in which its characters experience life, how and why they navigate their worlds this way. There are various techniques of literary composition intended to decolonize fragmented body …….. [mention the different techniques that possibly used for this goal]
As an IT specialist, I see a parallel here: just like fragmented data loses meaning until it is reorganized and contextualized, the fragmented body in literature can be restructured through narrative techniques to restore coherence and agency. Literary representation, much like data integration, provides a way to reconnect the scattered pieces into a more holistic and humanized form.
Ali Abdalftah Fadul ,
First, Thanks for your valuable participation in this discussion. However, I would rather be perceiving it figuratively in its socio-historical contexts. That is to highlight the methods the author used to depict the shapes of human body fragmentation, including colonisation as multilayered steering factor of segregation and fragmentation, and how the writer could possibly use those techniques to reconcile such fragmentation through anti-colonial practices.
OK, I shall consider the approach of interdisciplinary that seemingly adopted by your co-authored publications. Ali Abdalftah Fadul
The "fragmented body" in postcolonial literature is decolonized through several key literary techniques:
Primary Techniques:
- Magical realism that enables impossible bodily transformations, challenging colonial limitations on what bodies can do
- Non-linear narratives that break Western temporality and allow for cyclical, ancestral healing processes
- Multilingualism and code-switching reflecting multiple, fluid bodily identities rather than fixed colonial subjects
- Traditional rituals and ceremonies offering healing pathways outside colonial medical/psychological frameworks
- Subversive sexuality reclaiming bodily agency, particularly in feminist postcolonial narratives
- Intergenerational memory connecting bodily trauma with ancestral wisdom and resilience
- Collective healing privileging community care over Western individualism
These techniques transform fragmentation from mere victimization into a starting point for resistance and identity reconstruction. Authors like Silko, El Saadawi, and Dangarembga demonstrate that the goal isn't restoring some "whole" pre-colonial state, but creating new forms of bodily integrity that incorporate both historical trauma and contemporary possibilities for agency and dignity.
The fragmented body thus becomes not a site of permanent damage, but a space of creative reconstruction and decolonial possibility.
Fátima Lahssini
First, many thanks prof. Fatima for your interesting participation in this discussion and your kind attempt to provide an informative response which combines both the authorial writing techniques and actual practices embodied by the characters within a given literary work. However, what I deeply think of is how the inclination towards, or in other words, the retrieval of one’s own indigeneity by the evaluation and genuine embracing of one’s own language, cultural expressions, interconnections with the universe, the interrelationship with one’s local environment; all would be the truthful gateway to “Deep Ecology”. Deep Ecology is the sustainable, peaceful coexistence with nature, which would be the initial step for integrating and healing one’s fragmented Self and Nation. Such a fact is clearly reflected in the symbolism of the long-living African proverb; "The river that forgets its source will soon dry up." Again, I owe you a favour for your kind response.
I took a long time to write my resonse. It doesn't show among the other respondents,. I'm not of a mind to recompose my response. It was detailed.
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