The Politics of Subalternity: A Postcolonial Analysis of the Subalternised Other through Amitav Ghosh's The Hungry Tide

Abstract

This research paper delves into the post-colonial narrative presented in Amitav Ghosh's novel, The Hungry Tide, published in 2004. Through a post-colonial lens, the paper examines how Ghosh's narration captures the intricate interplay between identity, representation, and power dynamics in the Sundarbans region shared by India and Bangladesh. The novel portrays the 'Subalternised Other', individuals and communities which are marginalised and silenced by dominant forces; it sheds light on their struggles for agency, voice, and recognition. Drawing upon the works of M.H. Abrams, Antonio Gramsci, Homi Bhabha, and Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, the paper explores the significance of the terms "Subaltern" and "Other" in the context of postcolonial studies through this text. It analyses how Ghosh's characters, including Piya, Kanai, Nirmal, Fokir, Kusum, Moyna, and the Morichjhapi refugees, represent the diverse manifestations of subordination based on class, caste, age, gender, and ethnicity. Overall, this article is a vivid academic demonstration of how The Hungry Tide offers a compelling exploration of the 'Subalternised Other', inviting readers to critically reflect on representation, identity, and the urgency of embracing diversity and harmonious coexistence within societies in a post-colonial context.