Autobiography of Bama Faustina: A Study of Fourth World Literature

Abstract

Fourth World literature deals with the writings of indigenous peoples living in lands occupied by non-indigenous peoples. Fourth world literature has emerged as a diverse and universal field of study, characterized by a flourishing linguistic consciousness. The term Fourth World comes from a statement made by Tanzanian High Commission First Secretary but Milano in a conversation with George Manuel. Chief of the National Indian Brotherhood of Canada, Milando said, "If indigenous peoples entered their own world based on their own culture and traditions, this would be the Fourth World." It emphasizes the disapproval and exclusion of ethnically and religiously defined people from the political and economic world system. In the Fourth-World Literature, it is imperative to talk about certain burning issues in the lives of those who are always suppressed and kept at margin in social, political and cultural aspect, they are known by the name of Dalit in India. Dalit literature and the world of imagination are far apart, it is all about the miseries, sorrows and insult of underdogs who are not considered as human beings with flesh and blood. Realism is the stuff of Dalit Literature. This paper attempts to deal with the Subjugation and Oppression of Dalit women in Bama Faustina’s Karukku and how it creates its space in the genre of fourth world literature. It will analyze how Dalit women are exploited both inside the four-walls of their domestic life as well as in the society. They have been subjugated as women, dalit, and poor. In Bama’s opinion nothing can remove the tag of untouchability except education. Education is the only key that can lay any door open for dalit. Otherwise, caste becomes prevalent with the birth and lingered on till death. In other words, caste system in India is as old as mankind itself and it is very tough task to abolish it at all levels. Bama, after her conversion to Christianity, found no difference in discrimination inside the Church. But this paper will also throw light on the steps taken by protagonist who retaliated through the power of pen. Through her strong will power she demonstrated great deal of resistance against age-old discrimination and exploitation and created a literature of resistance.