Disability as constitutive of a new structure of family: a critical reading of Keri Hulme’s The Bone People

Abstract

This thesis conducted on Keri Hulme’s The Bone People unmasks how the portrayal of disability that associates deformity with mysticism as to form a new unit of family displays fullness along with respect for the disabled characters and rejects traditional literary representation of disability. The three central characters are disabled either physically or emotionally or culturally or spiritually. Simon’s ability to forgive Joe and Kerewin for their ill treatment and many beatings to him energizes the reconciliation of the three under multicultural family devoid of any hierarchies in the name of race, gender and class. Simon’s bodily suffering and recovery, in particular, associates him with the suffering of Christ; both figures are Phoenix-like martyrs, with their resurrection from suffering and persecution become redeemers of humankind. This research, thus, sees how the novel challenges the traditional representation of disability and establishes disability as a creative force.