Gender Trauma in Faustina Bama’s Karukku

Abstract

This study explores gender trauma in Faustina Bama’s Karukku, an autobiographical narrative that details the author’s experiences as a Dalit Christian woman navigating caste-based and gender-based oppression. The text reveals how casteism and patriarchy intersect to perpetuate trauma for Dalit women, who face layered forms of discrimination, marginalization, and social invisibility. By examining the dual oppression Bama endures—as both a Dalit and a woman—this analysis delves into how societal structures deny her dignity, autonomy, and equal opportunities, trapping her in a cycle of subjugation and silence. Her experiences within the Church further amplify this trauma, as religious institutions, instead of offering refuge, reinforce caste hierarchies, creating a sense of betrayal and disillusionment. This study situates Karukku within trauma theory and feminist frameworks to highlight the profound psychological impacts of caste-based gender trauma. It argues that Bama’s narrative not only documents personal suffering but also exposes the collective trauma of Dalit women, transforming her individual story into a voice for resistance and reclamation of identity within oppressive systems. Key Words: caste-based discrimination, gender trauma, patriarchal society.