Presentations of White Supremacy and Racial Discrimination in The Grass is Singing by Doris Lessing

Abstract

This study critically examines the presentations of white supremacy and racial discrimination in Doris Lessing’s The Grass is Singing, focusing on the psychological, social, and economic impacts of colonialism in Southern Rhodesia. Through a detailed analysis of the characters, particularly Mary Turner and Moses, the study explores how Lessing critiques the colonial system by illustrating the destructive effects of racial hierarchies on both the colonizers and the colonized. The study employs post- colonial theory to unpack the themes of exploitation, dehumanization, and moral decay that permeate the novel. It also highlights common concerns about colonialism’s lasting legacy. The findings reveal that Lessing’s use of symbolism, narrative structure, and character development provides a powerful critique of the colonial order, with themes that remain relevant in contemporary discussions on race and systemic racism. The study contributes to the broader field of post-colonial literary criticism by offering new insights into the psychological and social dimensions of colonial oppression