EXPLORING SPIVAK’S POWER DYNAMICS IN UZMA ASLAM KHAN’S THINNER THAN SKIN

Abstract

This study explores the Spivak’s concept of the subaltern, its interpretation with reference to power dynamics and its representation in Uzma Aslam Khan’s Thinner than Skin. Moreover, it delves into the question of whether marginalized voices can truly be heard and understood within the dominant discourse or not. Through a detailed analysis of Khan’s work, this study aims to shed light on the struggles, experiences, and agency of the subaltern characters in the novel. This research is framed within the theoretical framework of Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak’s Can The Subaltern Speak. The methodology employed in this study is textual analysis, focusing on the examination of Khan’s novel Thinner than Skin. In addition to the theoretical framework of postcolonial theory and the methodology of textual analysis, this research also explores the theme of voice and agency in Khan’s novel through a subaltern perspective. This research contributes to the broader understanding of subaltern literature. It elucidates the potential of these narratives to challenge the prevailing power structures and amplify the voices that have long been silenced. Moreover, the research seeks to amplify the narratives of the subaltern, allowing them to be heard and understood within the larger societal framework.