Collision of Ideology and Culture

Paper Summary:

This paper explores the concept of colliding cultures and competing ideologies as well as the related theme of identity in the three plays; "Master Harold... and the Boys" by Athol Fugard, "Dream on Monkey Mountain" by Derek Walcott, and "No Sugar" by Jack Davis. The paper also analyzes the strategies used in the plays such as symbolism, irony, and contrast in their elucidation of colliding cultures. The paper explains that contrast in use of language serves a significant purpose in relation to evolving identity for the oppressed. The paper also notes that colliding cultures can be reduced to the values of white dominant culture in opposition to the other - whether they happen to be black, aboriginal people, or some minority ethnic group. In conclusion, the paper shows that because all the other variables such as identity never are static, the concept of collision is also fluid and appears where it would be least expected.

From the Paper:

"Davis' No Sugar is similar to Fugard's play in how it demonstrates the immediacy and perennial nature of colonialism. Mitchell (18-20) expresses this reality by stating that "the rhetoric of postcolonialism assumes that anti-colonialism has either overthrown imperialism or exhausted itself in the attempt". The fact is such a goal has not nearly been achieved; we continue to live in a colonial world. Walcott demonstrates class struggle and collision in his play through the ability of his Odysseus who is able to undermine the totalitarian power of the Cyclops (Giannopoulou 13)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Beck, Ervin. "Fugard's Master Harold and the Boys". The Explicator. 58.2, 2000, 109-113.
• Cummings, Mark. "A World without Collisions: Master Harold and the Boys in the Classroom". English Journal, 78.6, 1989, 71-74.
• Davis, Jack. No Sugar. Athabasca University, 2005.
• Fugard, Athol. Master Harold... and the Boys. New York: Penguin, 1982.
• Giannopoulou, Gina. "Intertextualizing Polyphemus: Politics and Ideology in Walcott's Odyssey". Comparative Drama, 40.1, 2006, 11-28.

More papers on Collision of Ideology and Culture:

• Term Paper # 111310 : "The Phonetics of Language and Culture"
• Term Paper # 104019 : "The Impact of Language and Culture on Learning"
• Analytical Essay # 131553 : "Colliding Cultures"

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