29 pages • 58 minutes read
Aimé CésaireDiscourse on Colonialism
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1955A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Discourse on Colonialism by Aimé Césaire, published in 1950, critiques European colonialism and its moral hypocrisy by identifying the proletariat as colonized laborers and the bourgeois as European elites who endorse and perpetuate colonial violence. Césaire argues that these elites mask their complicity through intellectual rhetoric, tracing colonial violence and predicting the rise of the U.S. as a new oppressive power, ultimately calling for the oppressed to revolt.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Aimé Césaire’s Discourse on Colonialism evokes strong reactions with its powerful critique of colonialism. Critics praise its compelling arguments and lyrical prose but note its harsh tone and dense academic language. Its relevance persists in discussions on race and imperialism, making it both impactful and challenging.
Who Should Read Discourse on Colonialism?
Readers who appreciate Discourse on Colonialism by Aimé Césaire are often interested in postcolonial theory, social justice, and revolutionary literature. They might also enjoy Frantz Fanon's The Wretched of the Earth and Edward Said's Orientalism, as these works similarly critique colonial power dynamics and advocate for decolonization.