Outside, Yet Within: Representations of Kimberlé Crenshaw’s Intersectionality in Mahasweta Devi’s “The Hunt”

Andrea Rupp* and Rose Casey

Department of English, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506

Presentation Category: Oral-Human Engagement (Oral Presentation #5)

Student’s Major: English

Mahasweta Devi’s “The Hunt” explores sexism, inter-ethnic conflict, and the consequences of industrial capitalism and colonialization in India via the circumstances and actions of its protagonist, Mary Oraon. In “The Hunt,” Mary’s mixed Advasi and white status alienates her from her community members, who appreciate her but do not see her as a true Advasi woman. Mary’s existence at several intersections of oppression leaves her especially vulnerable to outside oppressors. However, because Mary has always existed both “inside” and “outside” her Advasi community, she is able to navigate a complex postcolonial environment, reclaiming her identity and even appropriating her oppressor’s traits without succumbing to either culture’s failings. Within my work, I use Kimberlé Crenshaw’s theory of intersectionality to explore how Mary weaponizes her simultaneous status as insider and outsider within layered oppressive systems. I argue that Mary’s employment of the titular hunt serves as a reclamation of her Advasi identity and demonstrates the potential of the intersection of femininity and Advasi culture to liberate a multiply oppressed person. Mary’s actions create a framework of action for other multiply marginalized Women of Color (WoC) to navigate layered oppressive systems. Through Mary, Devi explores the complexities of belonging and liberation when the people and practices we consider “home” do not protect us.

Funding:

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: Other, WVU course: ENGL 226 - Non-Western World Literature