Representation of Subaltern in Kidd’s The Secret Life of Bees

Abstract

This research explores the issues of subaltern in The Secret Life of Bees using the ideas of Gayatri Chakrovarty Spivak, David Luden, Antiono Gramsci and Dipesh Chakrovarty about subaltern have been used. The characters Zach Taylor, Rosaleen, August, June, May, April, etc. are the negroes. The female character Lily has been made subaltern due to the relative domination which proves the notion of subaltern. Lily is victimized physically and mentally by her father T. Ray Owens and through her consistent effort female identity and individuality is regained. She fights for the gender inequality and cross the limitations created by male in the society. At first she leaves her father who always oppressed her and lives with female company. Lily represents the ideology of female and tries to redraw the boundary of patriarchy which existed in Subaltern. The females and blacks have been made subalterns due to the relative domination by ruling class.