Racism as a subjective position, rather than an objective problem: The Study of Racism in Harold Pinter’s Selected Plays

Basically racism is an ideology of racial domination in which the assumed biological or cultural superiority of one or more racial groups is used to justify or explain the inferior treatment or social position(s) and aspects of other racial groups. Through the process of racialization perceived patterns of physical difference—such as skin color or eye shape—are used to differentiate groups, thereby constituting them as races ; racialization becomes racism when it includes the hierarchical and socially consequential valuation of racial groups. It is said that the paramount references to racial issues in Harold Pinter’s plays bolster the claim that the question of race is indispensible in his works. In his plays, Pinter regards racism as a tactical principle, a subjective position, rather than an objective ‘problem’, despite the fact that it being so widespread. Therefore, the present study would like to indicate the existed proofs which involved with the racism in Pinter’s selected plays, The Birthday Party, The Room and The Caretaker to show how masterfully these elements are envisaged by Pinter in almost all of his plays.

Keywords:

Racism , Racial Groups , Pinter , Pinter’s Plays