Theoretical analysis of "Seepersad & Sons: Naipaulian Creative Synergies"

A MARXIST ANALYSIS OF V.S. NAIPAUL IN THE READING OF DR. JIM HANNAN

In his close reading from Dr. Jim Hannan's excerpt, “‘My Sense of Distance and Time was Shaken’: Globalization before It’s Time in the Work of V.S. Naipaul”, Dr. Hannan comments that the theoretical framework of Postcolonialism is not best suited to Naipaul's work. He posits that Naipaul does not see himself as being part of the local and as such does not comment or analyze or respond to the cultural legacies of colonialism. For Naipaul, who considers himself a more globalized writer, the theoretical framework of Marxism is more appropriate in analyzing his works. 

Marxism "Analyzes class relations and societal conflict using a materialist interpretation of historical development and a dialectical view of social transformation". As such, Naipaul's globalized perspective and his idea of distant proximities foregrounds the notion of "commoditizing". Naipaul commoditizes the local and everything else as a means whereby any person, regardless of space, can belong and benefit on a global scale, so that regardless of if you are from Trinidad, Argentina, or any other part of the world, you will be able to benefit and belong. In this context, he does not view himself as a Trinidadian, or ascribing to the local alone but as a global writer. 

Marxism is the primary theoretical framework which under-girds Dr. Hannan's reading of Naipaul.