The Politics of Marginal Discourses: A Study of Racial/Cultural Marginalization in the Select Novels of Leslie Marmon Silko

PARVATHY.U

Volume : V, Issue : I, January - 2015

The Politics of Marginal Discourses: A Study of Racial/Cultural Marginalization in the Select Novels of Leslie Marmon Silko

Parvathy. U

Abstract :

Europeans have always regarded their culture as superior to other cultures. They have employed this selfproclaimed cultural superiority to dominate other cultural groups in society. The colonial powers have exploited and marginalized Native Americans on the basis of their culture and race. The Europeans, who invaded their lands, employed various discursive agencies to propagate wrong information and stereotypes of the natives and their culture. Their covert political aim was to make the natives feel inferior about their own culture and life styles and to adapt European ways and accept the colonial rule as a benign civilizing act. Having aware of the power of literature the native writers now try to reclaim their culture, rehabilitate its place and deconstruct the misconceptions created by the Europeans. The present paper entitled “ The Politics of Marginal Discourses: A Study of Cultural/ Racial Marginalization in the Select Novels of Leslie Marmon Silko” tries to analyze how far Leslie Marmon Silko successfully portray and protest against the cultural, racial and political oppression and marginalization of Native Americans.