Marginalization and Gender Stereotypes in P. Sivakami’s The Grip of Change

Abstract

P. Sivakami’s The Grip of Change (1989) is the English Translation of Pazhaiyana Kazhithalum, the first full-length novel by P. Sivakami, an important Tamil writer and a member of the Indian Administrative Service. Sivakami is also a member of the Dalit Movement. The author gets success in narrating the authentic information in a terrifying way. In this novel, the writer portrays how dalit women are socially, economically and sexually exploited by the so called “upper caste Hindus” and not to overlook the abuse by their own men. The writer exposes the atrocities germinating from discrimination both gender and caste wise. The present paper aims at analyzing the Double Marginalization of Dalit Women. The form and nature of marginality depends upon the degree of economic, social or cultural impoverishment Marginality, based upon caste, creed, religion or race is a kind of disability or affliction and its root cause could be injustice or exploitation. The poor and unemployed Dalits are discriminated against and disabled by a society which is caste-ridden and hence is unconcerned about the problems of impairment. The paper also focuses on the marginalization and gender sensitization of Dalit women as reflected in the novel as the communities insult and ill- treat the women of lower castes because of their caste and because they are women in a patriarchal society.