Stripped, Snatched, Exploited: The Case of Centre Margin Antagonism as Highlighted in Mahasweta Devi’s Douloti the Bountiful.

Abstract

This study explores the systemic oppression of the downtrodden - the Adivasis, at the hands of a powerful upper-caste as shown in Mahasweta Devi’s Douloti the Bountiful, one of the three stories published in her 1993 book Imaginary Books. It covers various aspects and themes such as bonded slavery, prostitution, dehumanization. It primarily deals with the “outsiders” invading and encroaching the lands of the Tribals and enslaving them for their use.