Representation of Feminism in African American and Dalit Literature

Abstract

Mainstream feminism has remained an elitist concept in India with much less attention and significance in comparison to the feminism conception in western countries. The Indian feminist movement failed to represent the perspectives of the Dalit women that have been subjected in the Indian society since ages. Subsequently, the Dalit women were forced to initiate a separate movement to gain sustenance and representation in the mainstream social conduct. The theoretical representations of the Dalit women could also be drawn from American and African literature that shares experiences of Dalit feminism and subjection on a broader scale. Further, the research reflects Dalit feminism in terms of inclusive feminism that confronts domination of female community in India and elsewhere. Considering the Dalit woman’s writing, the glimpses can be found in the Indian vernaculars in the form of short stories. It is present in the form of Telugu Dalit writing that have been translated into English to reflect the perceptions of the Dalit women and their experiences in Indian discourse.