Women and colonialism : archival history and oral memory
Representations of Britain's colonial history have predominantly been 'official' ones, which tend to focus on well-documented administrative accounts and imply that one 'true' account of the past exists. More recently, white women's accounts have been incorporated, highlighting their participation in Britain's imperial adventure, particularly during and after the World Wars. East Africa provides the context in which this range of narratives will be explored: Its 'racial' hierarchies; its different designation of land as colonies, protectorates and territories; and its active white settler population in Kenya, which of necessity sought a place for its women, all contribute to its interesting past. This thesis first explores the range of historical representations surrounding Britain's colonial relationship with East Africa, and subsequently focuses on the portrayal of white women. This enables an exploration of the ways these women negotiated their positions in both private spheres, as was more commonly expected; but also in public ways that challenged discourses of femininity at the time. Their challenge became increasingly prevalent as greater numbers of women sought independence, the Empire being one place
Bramley, Anne Frances
Women and colonialism : archival history and oral memory. Representations of Britain's colonial history have predominantly been 'official' ones, which tend to focus on well-documented administrative accounts and imply that one 'true' account of the past exists. More recently, white women's accounts have been incorporated, highlighting their participation in Britain's imperial adventure, particularly during and after the World Wars. East Africa provides the context in which this range of narratives will be explored: Its 'racial' hierarchies; its different designation of land as colonies, protectorates and territories; and its active white settler population in Kenya, which of necessity sought a place for its women, all contribute to its interesting past. This thesis first explores the range of historical representations surrounding Britain's colonial relationship with East Africa, and subsequently focuses on the portrayal of white women. This enables an exploration of the ways these women negotiated their positions in both private spheres, as was more commonly expected; but also in public ways that challenged discourses of femininity at the time. Their challenge became increasingly prevalent as greater numbers of women sought independence, the Empire being one place
women colonialism archival history oral memory representations britain colonial_history predominantly official tend_focus well_documented administrative account imply true account past exists recently white_woman account incorporate highlight participation britain imperial adventure particularly world_wars east_africa provide_context range narrative explore racial hierarchy different designation land colony territory active white_settler population kenya necessity seek_place woman contribute interesting past first_explore range historical representation surround britain colonial relationship east_africa subsequently focus portrayal white_woman enables exploration way woman negotiate position private_sphere commonly expect also public way challenge discourse femininity time challenge become_increasingly prevalent great_number woman seek independence empire place