Edward Said's 'Orientalism' (1978) is considered the cornerstone of postcolonial studies. It analyzes how Western academic and artistic representations of the 'Orient' served to justify colonial hegemony. By exposing the discursive power dynamics between the West and the East, Said provided a framework for scholars to critique imperialist ideologies embedded in literature and culture.

Postcolonial theory, notably influenced by Edward Said's 'Orientalism,' argues that Western discourse often constructs a biased, monolithic view of non-Western cultures. This critique highlights how Western scholars and writers frequently interpret global history, politics, and literature through a Eurocentric lens, failing to account for the diverse, lived experiences of colonized peoples. By imposing their own historical and cultural values, Western perspectives often marginalize or misrepresent the realities of the 'Other' in the Global South.

Rudyard Kipling wrote 'The White Man's Burden' in 1899. The poem reflects the imperialist ideology of the era, framing colonialism as a difficult but necessary duty for Western nations to 'civilize' non-Western populations. It remains a controversial text that encapsulates the paternalistic attitudes of the British Empire during the late 19th century.

W.E.B. Du Bois introduced 'double consciousness' in 'The Souls of Black Folk' (1903). It describes the internal conflict experienced by marginalized groups, particularly African Americans, who must view themselves through both their own eyes and the prejudiced eyes of a white-dominated society. This duality creates a sense of 'twoness' and a fragmented identity that is central to postcolonial and sociological discourse.

Postcolonial theory is specifically designed to analyze the cultural, political, and psychological impacts of colonial rule. It investigates how imperial powers imposed their language and values on colonized nations, such as India, and how native authors respond to, resist, or negotiate these influences within their literary works to reclaim their own cultural identity.

Edward Said introduced 'imaginative geography' in his work to describe how cultures create mental maps of the world that divide it into 'us' and 'them.' This concept explains how Western powers constructed a binary view of the world, projecting their own biases and desires onto distant lands to justify political and cultural domination.

Du Bois' seminal work explores the concept of 'double consciousness,' where African Americans view themselves through the eyes of a hostile white society. This leads to a fragmented identity, feelings of alienation, and the necessity of adopting survival strategies like submissiveness or suppressed anger. These psychological burdens are systemic outcomes of living in a society that denies full humanity to its Black citizens.

In his 1975 lecture 'An Image of Africa,' Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe delivered a profound critique of Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness.' Achebe argued that Conrad, despite his literary skill, reduced Africa to a mere backdrop for European self-discovery, thereby reinforcing dehumanizing colonial stereotypes. This critique became a foundational text in post-colonial studies, prompting a re-evaluation of the Western literary canon's representation of non-Western cultures.

Post-colonial theory is the primary framework used to analyze Salman Rushdie's literature. His works, such as 'Midnight's Children', engage deeply with the legacy of the British Empire, the complexities of hybrid identities, and the cultural aftermath of colonization in the Indian subcontinent, making post-colonial theory the most relevant critical lens.

Edward Said’s 1978 book 'Orientalism' is a foundational text in postcolonial studies. He argues that the 'Orient' was a construct created by Western scholars, writers, and colonial administrators to justify imperial domination. His work examines how cultural representations serve as tools of power, influencing how the West perceives and interacts with Eastern societies.