COLONIAL LEGACIES AND CULTURAL IDENTITY IN DEREK WALCOTT’S PANTOMIME

Abstract

Pantomime by Derek Walcott is a postcolonial text that offers a reinterpretation of the colonial narrative. The play explores the complexities of postcolonial identity, culture, and history through the reinterpretation of the characters of Robinson Crusoe and Friday from Daniel Defoe‟s Robinson Crusoe. The play portrays the character of Robinson Crusoe as a victim of colonialism, struggling with the legacy of colonialism and searching for his identity. Friday, on the other hand, is portrayed as an indigenous man who has been oppressed and exploited by colonialism and serves as a symbol of resistance against colonialism. Through these characters, Walcott grapples with the themes of cultural identity, the legacy of colonialism, and the performative nature of the self. The play critiques the values and assumptions of Western civilization and challenges the dominant colonial narrative by offering a new perspective on colonialism and reflecting on the experiences of those who were directly impacted by colonial rule. Pantomime is a powerful example of postcolonial literature that explores the complexities of postcolonial experience and how the past continues to shape the present.