Representation of Marginalization: A New Historicist Reading of Mankell’s The White Lioness
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Department of English
Abstract
The study deals with the economic and cultural condition of South African society
in the late 20
th
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”.