An Aspect of Colonialism and Anti-Colonialism: A Comparative Study between the Traces of British Imperialism in English Literature and the Counterpoint of Anti-Colonialism in Bengali Literature of 19th Century

Oct 15, 2026

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The study compares representations of colonialism and anti-colonialism across nineteenth-century English and Bengali literature, focusing on how British imperial traces shape narratives of English identity. It analyzes Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park as a case where Englishness is tied to property, money, status, and the slave trade, while also highlighting the dynamics of dominance over subordinate peoples in Caribbean contexts. It further contrasts this with Kazi Nazrul Islam’s anti-colonial stance against British rule, showing rebellion through literary writing.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time9 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Keywords

Introduction

Advances in Language and Literary Studies ISSN: 2203-4714 Vol. 7 No. 5; October 2016 Australian International Academic Centre, Australia | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | Flourishing Creativity & Literacy | | | An Aspect of Colonialism and Anti-Colonialism: A Comparative Study between the Traces of British Imperialism in English Literature and the Counterpoint of Anti-Colonialism in Bengali Literature of 19th Century Farhana Haque (Corresponding author) Department of English and Humanities, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Brac University, Mohakhali, Dhaka, Bangladesh E-mail: [dhak_121@yahoo.com](dhak_121@yahoo.com) Doi:10 .7575/aiac.alls.v.7n.5p.85 URL: [http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.7n.5p.85](http://dx.doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.7n.5p.85) Received: 20/05/2016 Accepted: 30/07/2016 Abstract In Mansfield Park, Jane Austen has exhibited the English identity lies on property earned by the slave trade in Caribbean Islands. If we go deep inside of the history of Britain we could able to see their awareness and concern over a national identity, and consider American colonies a poor reflection on Britain. The traits of British colonization always stretched their dominating wings soar above in the sky of ruling. The tyrannical rule on the Caribbean Islands and other places, where they have set the subjugation upon the destitute subjects. Such as West Indies, Jamaica, Haiti, Indian subcontinent and many more countries which they consider inferior in front of them. This was the ideology of English people and their smug of English identity. In the first part of my research paper, I am suppose to depict that, how the English superiority discern its voice through the narrative of the 19th century English novels. The great example of English superiority proved by the reading of Mansfield Park, and this novel will also explore the deepest meaning of coveted Englishness. Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, which has written based on English identity earned by slave trade and also the English people who are very much obsessed with property, money, status, elite class attitudes and heedless towards their subordinate people. On the other hands, Kazi Nazrul Islam upholds the position of anti colonial writer. He was very much against the British rule and their despotic rulers. Therefore, Kazi Nazrul Islam has established the notion of anti British ideology and activities through his writings and showed the world about his rebellious nature. Keywords: Mansfield Park, British colonialism, Caribbean Islands, Anti-colonialism, Rebellion 1. Introduction This thesis will explore the concept of British’s colonial enterprise throughout the English literature of 19th century. While on the other hands, it will focus on the counterpoint of colonial attitudes through the Bengali literature of 19th century. First of all I would like to vignette the British ruler’s anarchy inside of the English literature. The British Raj has generated the tainted demarcation by their establishment of empire state. This was the blackest and cruellest part of their former history of ruling. British government didn’t comprehend their injustice upon the people of the Caribbean Islands who has lost their right to live properly. The inhabitants of the Caribbean Islands and the other subsequent British premises has deprived to lead their life and forfeited to ask for their basic rights. Hence, the English people’s heedless and reckless attitudes towards their subjects made the novels of 19th century more authentic about British imperialism. The readers of 19th century or even now, the attributes of Englishness has always showed its superlative nature. Thus Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park got the best example to me to analyse the British Raj’s pride and as well asthe English people ’s conduct upon their subordinate people. In Mansfield Park, it is utterly vivid that, slavery and the greed to grab the empire state becomes the prevailing thing.

FAQs

What is the main comparative focus of the paper?

The paper explores colonial enterprise in nineteenth-century English literature and contrasts it with colonial attitudes expressed in nineteenth-century Bengali literature.

How does the paper interpret English identity in Mansfield Park?

It argues that English identity in Mansfield Park is linked to property and status earned through the slave trade, portraying dominance over subordinate peoples.

What role does Kazi Nazrul Islam play in the study?

Kazi Nazrul Islam is presented as an anti-colonial writer who opposes British rule and expresses anti-British ideology through his writings and rebellious outlook.

Oct 15, 2026

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