Cultural diversity: Post-colonial literature celebrates and explores cultural diversity, representing varying cultural identities and experiences that challenge or subvert the dominant cultural narratives of the colonizing powers.
History and memory: Post-colonial literature reflects on historical events, addressing issues of colonialism, imperialism, indigenous dispossession, and the legacy of colonial power structures in shaping present realities.
Identity formation: Exploration of personal, cultural, and national identities becomes central as individuals and societies negotiate their evolving identities affected by colonial histories.
Resistance and agency: Post-colonial writing explores strategies used to resist oppression, assert cultural independence, and reclaim agency in the face of colonial power dynamics.
Decolonization and liberation: Authors examine processes of decolonization and the pursuit of liberation, both culturally and politically, often portraying decolonization efforts and the consequences they bring.
Hybridity: Post-colonial literature often embraces cultural blending, fusion of languages, hybrid identities, and syncretism as a means of subverting Western hierarchies and presenting dynamic ways of cultural expression.
Trauma and resilience: Authors often probe the psychological and societal impacts of colonialism, shedding light on the trauma experienced and highlighting the resilience of marginalized individuals and communities.
Linguistic experimentation and code-switching: Writers frequently employ various languages, engage in code-switching, and experiment with language forms to create unique literary expressions that question linguistic imperialism and dominant cultural norms.