MESTIZA AS SPEAKING SUBALTERN IN TAHMIMA ANAM’S A GOLDEN AGE IN NEW HISTORICIST PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

By drawing a nexus between Gloria Anzaldua’s notion of mestiza consciousness and Gayatri Spivak’s conceptualization of speaking subaltern, this article discusses that how the protagonist, Rehana Haque in Tahmima Anam’s A Golden Age raises her voice, struggles for survival and achieves mestiza consciousness in the backdrop of 1971 war and therefore can be named as speaking subaltern in new historicist perspective. Haque is resilient, brave and courageous who not only challenges the societal norms but also sets a precedent for oppressed and marginalized women. She relishes a hope despite hardships to get a country of their own; irrespective of their religion, language and multiple culture. Anam in A Golden Age has brought into limelight the struggle of resilient female figure and the hurdles she faces while achieving mestiza consciousness. The study is qualitative and hence implies concept of Mestiza Consciousness and Subaltern stance. Key Words: Mestiza Consciousness, Speaking Subaltern, 1971 War, New Historicism