Subalternity in The Pearl that Broke Its Shell: An Alternative Feminist Analysis

Abstract

The word ‘subaltern’ has become a cliché for women’s voicelessness and subjugation. The representation of subalterns remains an important element in South Asian literature. This research attempts to show how Nadia Hashimi, an Afghan-American descendent, makes it possible for the voices of these marginal characters to be heard aloud. The study shows that these women took recourse to the use of their bodies as they are the only available revenue for their resistance. It explores that the desire of freedom creates a close connection between two Afghan women belonging to different generations. The purpose of this research is to highlight the elements of gender subalternity and resistance of Afghan women, the relationship between Islam and women, women’s conditions in Islamic countries, and relationship between genders. Therefore, the study focuses on the theoretical paradigm of Spivak and Mohanty on the notion of subalternity. The research concludes that subaltern can speak, and they did speak but no one tried to understand them. Women as subaltern are conscious of their subalternity and they struggle to set themselves free from the chains of male-oriented societal and cultural norms.

Keywords

• Subaltern
• Gender Subalternity
• Phallocentric Hegemony
• Marginalization
• Othering