IGNOU MEG 8 Solved Question Paper | June 2023

 

The term ‘New Literatures’ refers to literary works written in English by writers from countries that were formerly colonised by European powers, such as India, Nigeria, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, and others. These literatures deal with themes like identity, colonialism, resistance, displacement, and cultural conflict. However, although the term is commonly used in academic circles, it can definitely be critiqued for several reasons, such as its vagueness, Eurocentric viewpoint, and the idea of ‘newness’ itself.

 

Firstly, the word ‘new’ in ‘New Literatures’ is problematic. Many of the countries grouped under this label have had rich literary traditions for centuries—long before colonialism and the introduction of English. For example, India has a literary heritage in Sanskrit, Persian, Hindi, and many other regional languages. Similarly, African oral traditions and Indigenous Australian storytelling are ancient and highly developed. Calling these literatures “new” just because they are written in English can seem disrespectful or misleading. It ignores the historical depth and cultural richness of non-English literary traditions.

 

Secondly, the term ‘New Literatures’ tends to center English as the most important language of expression, which can be seen as a continuation of colonial thinking. During colonial times, English was imposed as the language of education, administration, and power. Postcolonial writers often chose to write in English to reach a wider audience and reclaim the language for their own purposes. But by classifying their work as “new,” the term still measures these literatures against British or Western standards, rather than valuing them on their own terms.

 

Another issue is that ‘New Literatures’ creates a false sense of unity among very different regions and cultures. It groups together writers from Africa, the Caribbean, Australia, and South Asia, even though their histories, languages, and experiences with colonialism are very different. While these writers share some common themes—such as colonialism, identity crisis, and resistance—their cultural contexts are unique. Using one label for all of them may oversimplify their diversity and reduce their individual voices.

 

Moreover, the term is now becoming outdated, as many of the so-called “new” writers and their works have already become part of the literary mainstream. Writers like Chinua Achebe, Derek Walcott, Margaret Atwood, and Salman Rushdie have long been studied, awarded, and recognised globally. Their works are no longer “new” in the literal sense. This raises the question—how long can something be called “new” before it becomes part of established literature?

 

Despite these criticisms, the term ‘New Literatures’ has also helped draw attention to previously ignored voices and narratives in the field of English literature. It created space in universities and literary discussions for writers from former colonies, challenging the dominance of British and American literature. However, as literary studies evolve, there is a growing need to use more inclusive and precise terms, such as Postcolonial Literatures, World Literatures in English, or Global Englishes, that better reflect the complexity and richness of these works.