Civilizing Mission and Colonial Mimicry in Khushwant Singh's Karma

Explore the complex dynamics of British colonial ideology through a detailed analysis of Khushwant Singh's acclaimed short story "Karma" in this 20-minute lecture. Examine how the civilizing mission—the colonial justification for uplifting colonized peoples—reveals its inherent contradictions and false promises when scrutinized through literary lens. Delve into the concept of colonial mimicry, understanding how colonized subjects navigate the tension between adopting colonial values and maintaining their cultural identity. Analyze Singh's masterful portrayal of these themes through character development and narrative structure, uncovering the psychological and social implications of colonial influence on individual identity. Investigate the gap between the official colonial narrative of benevolent civilization and the reality of cultural displacement and internal conflict experienced by colonized peoples.