Representation and Question of Dalit Identity: A Critical Study of Premchand's 'Godan' from a Dalit View-point

Abstract

The central orientation of this paper is organized around the conception of representation and the question of Dalit identity. The essence of the concept lies in understanding the complex function of language since it plays an instrumental role in knowing the fundamental question of how do we know what we know or in a more concrete term the essence of production and circulation of meanings that led to the constitution of one’s identity. The constitution of one’s identity is the result of representational theory of language, but sometimes this representational system becomes a subject of scrutiny when a derogatory identity is imposed on an individual or a group of individuals as in case of the Dalits in India who were formerly represented by a derogatory and abusive term- untouchable that led to the constitution of their untouchable and contemptible identity. The paper explores representation of Dalits in Premchand’s classic novel Godan from a Dalit point-of-view and it also addresses the question how this representation helps imposing a fragile and a contemptible identity to the Dalit community. The central orientation of this paper is organized around the conception of representation and the question of Dalit identity. The essence of the concept lies in understanding the complex function of language since it plays an instrumental role in knowing the fundamental question of how do we know what we know or in a more concrete term the essence of production and circulation of meanings that led to the constitution of one’s identity. The constitution of one’s identity is the result of representational theory of language, but sometimes this representational system becomes a subject of scrutiny when a derogatory identity is imposed on an individual or a group of individuals as in case of the Dalits in India who were formerly represented by a derogatory and abusive term- untouchable that led to the constitution of their untouchable and contemptible identity. The paper explores representation of Dalits in Premchand’s classic novel Godan from a Dalit point-of-view and it also addresses the question how this representation helps imposing a fragile and a contemptible identity to the Dalit community.