Abstract

This paper analyzes the objectification of the South Asian female subject as subaltern by the patriarchal power structure, and disrupts the relevant discourse practices. It investigates this notion in Qaisra Shahraz’s novel The Holy Woman. Methodologically, it applies Gayatri Spivak’s perspective of the subaltern to establish its ontological premise. Additionally, it uses Lazar’s concept of Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis to deconstruct the power discourse behind the objectification of the female identity as reflected in the selected text. The analysis of the selected text reflects as the South Asian patriarchal society ‘legitimizes’ the ‘othering’ of its female subject for the fulfilment of its power agenda that involve political and economic interests. The analysis also reveals as dominant discourse interprets religion the way it suits the power structure. It also shows how the female subject realizes its manipulation by acquiring the knowledge which she earlier lacked and on the acquired awareness, resists the power structure. Through its methodological approach, the paper incites further research into the reorientation of subalternity in the South Asian context.

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