A Postcolonial Reading of Anguish of Separation: Orientalist Discourse and the Self/Other Binary in the Light of Edward Said

Abstract

This paper explores postcolonial interpretations of Edward Said’s theory of Orientalism, focusing on Gobind Malhi’s Anguish of Separation, which foregrounds Orientalist discourse and the construction of the Self/Other binary. The novel defines cultural division, ideological power structures, and identity formation in a postcolonial context shaped by colonial history. A descriptive approach was used to analyze textual meanings and themes from a close reading of the novel. The study's findings revealed that novels portray disputed identities and spaces, where the Self is well-defined in conflict with the other. Evident in Orientalist discourse was a sign of cultural difference and marginalized identities, reinforcing hierarchies. The Self/Other binary play vital role for contribution to psychological pressure, disaffection and split objectivities among characters. This study concludes with Anguish of Separation, which critically reflects on the lingering impact of postcolonial identity formation, demonstrating how Orientalist frameworks continue to shape awareness of selfhood and cultural representation in literature.