An Analysis Of Naipaul's The Suffrage Of Elvira-From The Perspective Of Homi K.Bhabha's Hybridity Theory

V. S. Naipaul is one of the most influential writers in postcolonial literature field.He won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2001. The Suffrage of Elvira highlights an important creation theme of his early years. While centering on the ridiculous and aimless life of the colonized in Elvira, the novel presents to its readers a hybrid space.According to Homi K. Bhabha's hybridity theory,by means of hybridization,the hegemony of the colonizers might be deconstructed. Consequently, the colonized and the third world countries as a whole can be moved from the margin to the center, which leads to mutual understanding and coexistence among people from different cultures.With Bhabha's hybridity theory as the theoretical perspective, this thesis probes into various hybrid phenomena in The Suffrage of Elvira so as to unveil the author's writing intention as well as the realistic meaning of the novel in a globalized context.This thesis is divided into the following five parts:The first chapter is the introduction part, which offers a brief retrospection on V. S.Naipaul's writing career and The Suffrage of Elvira. Then, the researches of the novel both at home and abroad are also discussed. Besides, the significance and layout of this thesis are put forward. At last, a brief introduction of the theoretical basis is made.Chapter Two, together with Chapter Three and Chapter Four, serves as the main body of this thesis. On the basis of Bhabha's hybridity theory, this part explores hybrid phenomena in language, lifestyle and religion. With the progress of mimicry and hybridization, the colonized blur the boundary between them and the colonizers. As a result,the colonizers' authority is disintegrated; and a third space is created where people of different races live in mutual tolerance.Chapter Five serves as the conclusion part. Firstly, based on the above analysis,research results are derived. The description of various hybrid phenomena in The Suffrage of Elvira reflects the writing intention of the author, which is to end the colonial rule and to construct a society where different races live in peace. Furthermore,as for the author and the local in Elvira, hybridization is an effective strategy to resist hegemony of the colonizers.