Resistance and Identity in Twenty-First Century Literature and Culture: Voices of the Marginalized [Hardcover]

Resistance and Identity in Twenty-First Century Literature and Culture: Voices of the Marginalized is a compendium of reflections on literary texts, politics of literature and culture. The book proffers ruminations on the pivotal role of constructive and positive resistance to reconstruct identities for meaningful human existence. The disciplinary power and dominance coerce the natural body to resist and yearn for freedom. One can establish unique identity by refusing to conform to pressures of society that deform the natural body. Dominant forces and oppressive structures evoke resistance that can range from 'polite demurral' to 'refusal'. Resistance comes from the 'will' that refuses to be controlled and governed. The 'refusal' of the ordinary illuminates ordinary lives/ bodies. Language and literary texts contain essential truths of such human existence. Words and imaginary worlds in literary works reveal truth and suggest possibilities for reconfiguring the order.

Preface

Acknowledgments

1. Jacques Ranci?re and the Politics of Literature

2. Albert Camus's Concept of Resistance

3. Michel de Certeau and Spatial Practices

Part II

4. Arundhati Roy's An Ordinary Person's Guide to Empire

5. The Branded

6. Resistance in P. Sachidanandan's Govardhan's Travels

7. Women in Amitav Ghosh's The Hungry Tide

8. Indra Sinha's Animal's People

9. Mahasweta Devi's Mother of 1084

10. The MarginalizelÓ1