Representation of the Subaltern Characters in Selected Songs of Bob Dylan

Abstract

his research is an analysis of representation of subaltern character in the selected songs of Bob Dylan. Subalterns are politically dominated and kept aside from the state hegemonic power. This research work reveals that Dylan’s workcriticizes the function of popular culture institutionalized by hegemony through political domination. He addresses the dominated and subaltern class to seek the salvation and freedom from hypocritical authority. Bob Dylan’s literature stands unparallel with other form of American literature because of his attempts to question the authority and quests on the emancipation of poor and helpless. His songs are the songs of revival for the subaltern and victim of war. Dylan criticizes the technique of domination established by the elites. He also examines how this method makes individual conform to the rules and regulations, exposing them submissive and helpless. By using theory on subaltern propounded by scholars such as Gramsci, Spivak and Guha, this research examines the relationbetween the elites and subaltern with regard to their hegemonic power structure. Keywords: Subaltern, Representation, hegemony, emancipation, domination, Hypocritical, Power.