Who are subalterns?
Best insight from top research papers
Subalterns refer to marginalized and oppressed groups in society, including working-class people, immigrants, homeless individuals, and those socially excluded based on various grounds such as gender, race, and caste . These individuals often lack agency, voice, and representation in mainstream discourse, facing discrimination, prejudice, and alienation. The term "subaltern" has gained prominence in post-colonial studies, highlighting the struggles of those at the margins of society and emphasizing themes of oppression, marginalization, and exploitation . Subalterns are symbolized by their invisibility and lack of power, reflecting the persistent inequalities that exist globally despite claims of increased globalization and equality . The concept of subalternity delves into the historical representations of silenced masses and the processes that lead to their subjugation and neglect .
Answers from top 5 papers
More filters
| Papers (5) | Insight |
|---|---|
26 Nov 2020 | Subalterns include immigrants, squatters, unemployed, homeless, and peddlers - marginalized groups in society. They gained political importance in Turkey, influencing the rise of the AK Party. |
| Subalterns refer to lower classes and marginalized social groups in post-colonial societies, lacking access to cultural imperialism, as discussed in the paper on Dalit exclusion in India. | |
1 Citations | Subalterns are socially, politically, and culturally marginalized individuals or groups who face oppression, exploitation, and discrimination based on various grounds in post-colonial societies. |
| Subalterns, as depicted in the paper, refer to marginalized refugee women from the Third World who lack agency, face discrimination, and struggle with their identities in a globalized society. | |
| Subalterns are marginalized working-class individuals whose history and voices have been neglected in mainstream discourse, explored through Subaltern Studies focusing on their representation and historical production. |
Related Questions
How do subaltern study give new perspective to existing scholarship?5 answersSubaltern Studies offer a fresh lens to existing scholarship by challenging traditional historical narratives. This initiative reevaluates Indian history, emphasizing the role of marginalized groups in shaping events. It critiques the limitations of previous frameworks, highlighting the exclusion of caste dynamics in historical analyses. Furthermore, Subaltern Studies advocate for a decentralized view of urbanization, focusing on smaller settlements and local agency. By integrating emotions and critiquing Western legal theories, this approach connects colonialism, human rights, and suffering, contributing to a more inclusive understanding of historical and legal discourses. Overall, Subaltern Studies provide a platform for reinterpreting history, amplifying the voices of the oppressed, and fostering a more comprehensive and nuanced approach to scholarship.
How is subaltern consciousness expressed in subaltern autobiographies?5 answersSubaltern consciousness is expressed in subaltern autobiographies through the sharing of personal experiences and the challenging of oppressive social structures. These autobiographies serve as a platform for marginalized individuals to speak out against patriarchal norms and systemic injustices. By unmasking historical subordination and exposing present-day discrimination, subaltern women's narratives aim to create awareness and bring about social change. The writings of Afghan women, Indian subalterns, Dalit women in India, and African American women all demonstrate the subaltern's ability to resist and overcome their subordination. Through the use of autobiography, these authors transmit their own experiences and denounce the gender, race, and caste oppression they have endured. The subaltern theory, developed by scholars such as Antonio Gramsci and Gayatri Spivak, provides a framework for analyzing these texts and understanding the common objective of making the narrators' exclusion visible in their patriarchal worlds.
What paper talk about subaltern knowledge in education?4 answersThe paper by Winkler and Scholz discusses the disclosure of subaltern thinking in German-language textbooks for religious education. Caruso's article examines the import of Western pedagogic knowledge in India during the colonial period, highlighting the de-subalternization of education knowledge in the colonial setting. Elraphoma's essay utilizes subaltern theory to analyze the marginalization of groups in the religious education system in Britain. Manojan's paper explores the hierarchical cultural patterns in Indian educational spaces and the resistance from subaltern contexts. The abstract without citation explains that subaltern study is about the history of marginalized and silenced groups, both in South Asian and Western contexts.
Can subaltern speak?5 answersThe concept of whether the subaltern can speak has been explored in various contexts. Spivak's essay "Can the Subaltern Speak?" raises this question and examines the marginalized groups' ability to resist and challenge oppressive systems. In the Indian subaltern study groups, Gramsci's idea of subaltern was applied to analyze the struggles of marginalized communities. In social work practice and research, the assumptions underlying the concepts of involvement, participation, and voice are unpacked, and the risks of minimizing and co-opting authentic service user voice are discussed. The novel "Home Fire" by Kamila Shamsi portrays the position of Muslim British as subaltern, highlighting their marginalized status and challenges to their identity. In the context of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the question of whether those confined to the lower rungs of a Western-dominated liberal international order can speak and be heard is raised.
What is subaltern in folklore?3 answersThe term "subaltern" in folklore refers to socially constructed categories of vulnerable populations with limited discursive power. It is a concept that highlights the lack of voice and representation of marginalized groups in society. Subaltern narratives are born out of lived experiences and folk wisdom, capturing the essence of the struggles and aspirations of these communities. The term "subaltern" originated from Antonio Gramsci's writings and refers to subordinate individuals based on class, gender, race, and culture. In the context of South Asian history, subaltern studies emerged as a way to explore the history of silenced and neglected masses, who were often marginalized and misrepresented in larger historical narratives. The study of subalterns in folklore aims to understand the historical representations of these marginalized groups and the processes through which they are produced and marginalized in the first place.
What is the subaltern of women in folklore?3 answersThe subaltern women in folklore are the marginalized and oppressed sections of society, who are often excluded from mainstream narratives and voices of resistance. They face double marginalization due to their colonized identity and are often seen as unable to participate in resistance movements. However, some writers, such as Mahasweta Devi and Bama, have given voice to these subaltern women and highlighted their experiences of oppression and resistance. These writers use literary narratives to bring attention to the plight of marginalized women and challenge the dominant discourse. By portraying the body as a site of both oppression and resistance, these writers empower subaltern women to communicate their struggles and participate in resistance. The subaltern women's voices are crucial in challenging the hegemony of non-Dalit women writers and Dalit men who claim to speak for them. Through their narratives, these writers aim to relocate subaltern women to the center, regain their self-esteem, and carve out an identity for themselves.