A Comparative Analysis of the Ideological Discourse of “the Enlightened Other” in the Plays “Small a, Capital A” and “No-Good Friday”

The recent approaches in comparative literature are looking to do a more in-depth study of the encounter of the various discourses, compared to the past. One of the most essential aspects of the Postcolonial discourses is the dialectic of “self” and “other”, a contrast that can appear in various forms, in one of which the enlightened can reappear as the “other.” The plays Small a, Capital A, and No-Good Friday are emblems of the Postcolonial discourse that have been penned in order to expose the colonial discourse ruling over its society and era. The protagonists of the two plays (Willie and the man on the terrace) are some of the enlightened people who rise against the ruling colonialism, despite living in the margins of the discourse dominant on their society. This research aims to study these two Postcolonial discourses using the comparative approach and based on Edward Said’s definition of the enlightened, and considering the existing ideological discourse in order to shed light on the similarities and differences of these two discourses regarding the definition and function of the enlightened person and to introduce a more sensible definition and image of the enlightened, compared to other existing characters. The findings of this research show that although there are differences between the two protagonists of the plays, these two enlightened people accept the popularity of the anti-colonial discourse as an ethical matter. Resistance against oppression, resilience, and seeking the truth are a number of actions adopted by the two enlightened people.