Representation of Marginalization: A New Historicist Reading of Mankell’s The White Lioness

Abstract

The study deals with the economic and cultural condition of South African society in the late 20th century as projected in the Mankell's The White Lioness. Marginalization and racial conflict is the main issue of the book. Whites were exploiting the blacks since centuries ago in the name of God chosen people or racial superiority. The whites of South Africa from mine owner to a house wife like Kleyn's mother treat the black people, like mine worker Mabasha's father to the house Keeper Matilda, as pet animals. However, the raising consciousness in the blacks along with the passage of time makes them aware of their exploitation with the falsified superiority. They demand liberation and equality but whites deny to abandon their privilege. It leads to the black rebellion and the country reaches the verge of civil war. Not to let fall the nation in the vicious circle of disaster, government comes with the notion of nationalism which makes the blacks and whites able to see each other with the eyes of brothers and sisters. The study has accomplished with the perspective of marginalized people having the methodological support from New Historicism. Therefore, the title is chosen “Representation of Marginalization: A New Historical Reading of Henning Mankell’s The White Laioness”.