IGNOU MEG 8 Solved Question Paper | December 2024

 

In today’s global literary world, the term ‘New Literatures in English’ is considered more appropriate than ‘Commonwealth Literature’. Although both terms refer to works written in English by authors from countries that were once colonies of the British Empire, they carry different meanings and associations. The term “Commonwealth Literature” has historical value, but “New Literatures in English” better reflects the present-day reality of postcolonial nations, diversity, and literary independence.

 

The term ‘Commonwealth Literature’ became popular in the 1950s and 1960s, after many colonies became independent. It referred to literature from countries such as India, Nigeria, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and the Caribbean. These countries were part of the British Commonwealth, a group of nations linked by colonial history and political ties to Britain. The term helped bring attention to writers from non-British backgrounds, like Chinua Achebe, R. K. Narayan, Nadine Gordimer, and Margaret Laurence. However, the word “Commonwealth” still kept the colonial connection alive. It made it seem as if these literatures were secondary or dependent on British literature, which many writers and critics found unfair.

 

In contrast, the term ‘New Literatures in English’ came into use in the 1970s and 1980s. It includes the same group of writers but removes the political and colonial background. It focuses on the creative power, originality, and cultural richness of these literatures rather than their relationship with Britain. This term allows for a broader understanding of English-language writing across the world—not just from former British colonies, but also from diasporic writers, immigrants, and multi-ethnic communities. It highlights how English has become a global language used to express local stories, cultures, and voices.

 

For example, Salman Rushdie, an Indian-born British writer, uses English to talk about Indian politics, religion, and identity. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o from Kenya, who once wrote in English, later rejected the colonial language and started writing in Gikuyu. His case shows the tension between language and identity that “New Literatures” explores. Similarly, writers like Derek Walcott from the Caribbean and Wole Soyinka from Nigeria use English to reflect their local culture, myths, and postcolonial experiences. Their work goes beyond British influence and enters new spaces of creativity and resistance.

 

Moreover, in today’s world, writers from these regions are no longer seen as belonging to a “former colony.” Instead, they are global writers with international readerships and literary awards. The label “Commonwealth” feels outdated because it still connects the writer to a colonial past. “New Literatures in English” gives more freedom and dignity to the writers and allows their work to be studied on its own terms.

 

Therefore, while “Commonwealth Literature” has historical importance, “New Literatures in English” is a more suitable and modern term. It reflects the independent identity of postcolonial writers and the diverse ways in which English is now used as a literary language across the world.