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Title: Post Postcolonial Subaltern: A Foucauldian Discourse Analysis of Transgender Identity in Faiqa Mansab’s This House of Clay and Water (2017)
Authors: Muhammad Hassan Abbas, Sadia Noreen
Journal: Journal of Arts and Linguistics Studies (JALS)
Publisher: Mega Institute for Advance Research and Development (Private) Limited
Country: Pakistan
Year: 2024
Volume: 2
Issue: 1
Language: English
Keywords: Post colonialismMarginalized CommunitiesIndia- PakistanSubalternTransgender identitiesSouth AsiaIdentitySuppressionVoiceless etc.
This study aims to explore the Transgender identity in the novel of Faiqa Mansab. This research will focus on diverse aspects of Transgender characters explored with a postcolonial lens and FDA methodology in the novel, This House of Clay and Water (2017). A transgender named Bhanggi, is the primary character to be explored and analyzed in retrospect. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the animosities of colonial legacy and different manifestations of discrimination against Transgenders in Heteronormative Pakistani society. This has left an impact on the presentation of this specific social class. The primary purpose is to investigate how and why transgenders are socially shunned individuals in South Asia in general and Pakistan in particular. This research would reconstruct and reconfigure transgender subjectivities to explore the causes of how transgenders are a ‘Subaltern’ and voiceless in the post postcolonial context. The research illustrates how contemporary socio-political issues of Pakistani society are connected to their colonial past. So, in this Post post-colonial perspective, transgenders are the new Subaltern of the 21st century. In this quagmire of present and past dilemmatic scenarios, the characters from a voiceless community such as transgenders suffer. In this discussion, an in-depth textual analysis of primary texts has been conducted to interpret the elements of Postcolonialism, Subaltern, and gendered identities.     
To explore transgender identity in Faiqa Mansab's novel "This House of Clay and Water" (2017) through a postcolonial lens and Foucauldian Discourse Analysis, focusing on the character Bhanggi and the animosities of colonial legacy and discrimination against transgender individuals in Pakistani society.
In-depth textual analysis of the primary text, "This House of Clay and Water" (2017), to interpret elements of postcolonialism, subalternity, and gendered identities. The research employs Foucauldian Discourse Analysis and draws upon theoretical frameworks from scholars like Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak and Judith Butler.
graph TD;
A[Textual Analysis of 'This House of Clay and Water'] --> B[Application of Postcolonial Theory];
B --> C[Application of Foucauldian Discourse Analysis];
C --> D[Analysis of Transgender Identity and Subalternity];
D --> E[Identification of Discrimination and Marginalization];
E --> F[Interpretation of Colonial Legacy's Impact];
F --> G[Formulation of Conclusions and Implications];
The paper argues that colonial masters have become new hegemonic curators with ingrained subaltern sensibilities in the post-postcolonial era. It highlights how transgender identities are shaped by historical, socio-political, and cultural factors, particularly within the heteronormative Pakistani society. The analysis connects gender, patriarchy, colonialism, and their intersections with capitalism and globalization to the subalternization of transgender communities.
Transgender individuals in Pakistan are positioned as the "new subaltern" in a post-postcolonial context, facing significant discrimination and marginalization due to heteronormative societal structures and the lingering impact of colonial legacies. The character Bhanggi exemplifies the struggles of this community, experiencing social exclusion, lack of acceptance, and psychological distress.
Transgender identities in heteronormative Pakistani society are profoundly impacted, leading to social ostracization. The character of Bhanggi serves as a case study, illustrating the identity crisis, resilience, and suffering of the transgender community. The research suggests that decolonization of the mind through art is a pragmatic medium to normalize perceptions and lead to a more dignified life for transgender individuals.
- Faiqa Mansab's novel "This House of Clay and Water" was published in 2017. (Confirmed by text)
- Pakistan's Supreme Court recognized the third gender category in 2009. (Confirmed by text)
- India's Supreme Court recognized a third gender category in April 2014. (Confirmed by text)
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