Thomas King – Godzilla vs. Post-Colonial
Thomas King, a renowned Native American/First Nations writer, uses humour, satire and storytelling to critique post-colonial theory and the ways Western academics treat Indigenous literature. His essay “Godzilla vs Post-Colonial” mocks the rigid academic frameworks that ignore the rich traditions of Native storytelling.
Summary of the Essay
The essay begins with King humorously referring to post-colonial theory as a monster—like Godzilla—that tries to dominate everything in its path. He argues that academics often classify Indigenous writing as “post-colonial,” but this label does not fit Native literature.
According to King, the problem is that:
- Post-colonial theory is rooted in European literary history.
- It focuses on colonizer vs colonized relationships.
- It assumes that Indigenous cultures existed only after colonization.
King insists that Indigenous storytelling existed long before colonization. Therefore, Native literature should not be defined only through the lens of colonial history.
He also critiques how Western critics:
- ignore oral traditions
- value written literature more than spoken stories
- push Indigenous authors into European frameworks
To illustrate this, King uses humorous examples, jokes, and pop-culture references. He says that Native writers must resist becoming “footnotes” in European theories.
The essay ends by urging Indigenous writers and readers to reclaim their own narratives, centre their own traditions, and reject labels that don’t belong to them.
Major Themes
- Indigenous Identity – Native people have their own stories, traditions and literary forms.
- Critique of Post-Colonial Theory – Western academic frameworks cannot contain Indigenous literature.
- Oral Tradition – Indigenous storytelling is powerful and central to identity.
- Humour & Satire – King uses comedy to make serious arguments.
- Colonial Influence – Shows how academic institutions still hold colonial attitudes.
- Self-representation – Indigenous writers must speak for themselves.
Symbols & Key Ideas
- Godzilla – Represents destructive academic theories that crush Indigenous voices.
- Footnotes – Symbol of how Indigenous writing is marginalised.
- Stories – Represent culture, memory, survival.
Literary Techniques
- Satire – Makes fun of academic language and theory.
- Humour – Softens criticism but strengthens message.
- Anecdotes – Personal stories illustrate cultural points.
- Contrast – Indigenous oral storytelling vs Western written tradition.
- Irony – Highlights the absurdity of applying foreign labels to Native texts.
Critical Analysis
- King challenges the authority of Western academia.
- He re-centres Indigenous voices and traditions.
- The essay is humorous but sharply political.
- He argues that Indigenous literature should be read on its own terms, not trapped under the “post-colonial” label.
- King’s work is a foundational text in modern Indigenous literary studies.
Quick Revision Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Author | Thomas King |
| Work | Godzilla vs Post-Colonial |
| Genre | Essay / Satire / Literary Criticism |
| Main Focus | Critique of post-colonial theory, Indigenous identity |
| Tone | Humorous, critical, reflective |
| Key Idea | Indigenous literature predates colonisation and must not be defined by it. |
| Symbol | Godzilla = aggressive Western academic theory |
| Message | Indigenous writers must reclaim their stories and resist limiting labels. |
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