Module: General Practice
Q15: Consider the following statements regarding the psychological concept of Internalized Colonization as displayed by Mr. Shamnath:
1. Shamnath's harsh treatment of his mother is a direct projection of his own deep-seated feelings of cultural inferiority.
2. He equates his mother's rural, authentic Indian background directly with poverty, ignorance, and social unacceptability.
3. He displays a healthy, confident integration of his native Indian heritage alongside his modern corporate identity.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
2. He equates his mother's rural, authentic Indian background directly with poverty, ignorance, and social unacceptability.
3. He displays a healthy, confident integration of his native Indian heritage alongside his modern corporate identity.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
✅ Correct Answer: A
The correct combination is statements 1 and 2. The overarching psychological theme of the story is internalized colonization (or the colonial hangover). Structurally, Shamnath is ashamed of his roots.
He projects his own insecurities about not being Western enough onto his mother, viewing her authentic Indianness as a disease that must be quarantined (Statements 1 and 2). Historically, colonial systems conditioned the colonized to view their own indigenous culture as inferior to that of the colonizer.
Shamnath has thoroughly internalized this hierarchy.
Statement 3 is logically incorrect; Shamnath possesses zero confidence in his heritage.
He does not integrate his cultures; he actively seeks to obliterate his native identity in favor of a sycophantic imitation of his American superiors.
He projects his own insecurities about not being Western enough onto his mother, viewing her authentic Indianness as a disease that must be quarantined (Statements 1 and 2). Historically, colonial systems conditioned the colonized to view their own indigenous culture as inferior to that of the colonizer.
Shamnath has thoroughly internalized this hierarchy.
Statement 3 is logically incorrect; Shamnath possesses zero confidence in his heritage.
He does not integrate his cultures; he actively seeks to obliterate his native identity in favor of a sycophantic imitation of his American superiors.