Postmodernism: Perpetuating Domination

Postmodernism argues for a decentered existence as well as indeterminacy of meaning. Cursory readings can certainly reveal the decenteredness and indeterminacy found within postmodern fiction. These hasty and superficial readings of postmodern fiction can blind the reader to the deeper and underlying themes that seep through postmodern texts. Power and the ability to dominate usually rest in the hands of men according to history’s examples. 

Postmodernism’s view of current society seeks to disrupt this theory. With defining terms such as decentered and indeterminate, postmodernism would seemingly defy the nature of power lying within the minds and bodies of males. Decenteredness and indeterminacy would appear to level the playing field for all who live. The fragmentation of identity and meaning would express a willingness to give equality to all. 

Reading and examining certain postmodern novels can reveal a fallacy in postmodernism’s attempt at egalitarianism. Investigating the postmodern novels A Severed Head, Anthills of the Savannah, The God of Small Things, and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest will expose trends of power and domination within the fiction. Analyzing Ntozake Shange’s “Indigo” and David Foster Wallace’s “Lyndon” will also allow the reader to further grasp the scheme of authority and domination present in postmodern fiction.