1.

1942- Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak

1.1 Introduction
 Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, an influential postcolonial theorist and literary critic, was born
in Calcutta, India, in 1942. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of
Calcutta before pursuing her doctoral studies at Cornell University, where she received her
Ph.D. in comparative literature in 1967. Spivak's academic career has been distinguished by
her interdisciplinary approach, blending literary theory, feminism, Marxism, and
postcolonial studies. She has held teaching positions at prestigious institutions such as
Columbia University and the University of California, Berkeley, where she served as a
Professor of Comparative Literature.
 Spivak was awarded the 2012 Kyoto Prize in arts and philosophy. In 2013, she received the
Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award given by the Republic of India.

1.2 Can the Subaltern Speak

 Among her most significant contributions to academia is her ground-breaking essay "Can the
Subaltern Speak?" published in 1988.
 The subaltern is a term Spivak borrowed from the Italian Marxist Antonio Gramsci to
signify the oppressed class
 Subaltern means subordinate position in terms of class, gender, race and culture.
Subaltern people are those people who are voiceless and marginalized people, written out of
the historical record and ignored. Subaltern according to Spivak is those who belong to third
world countries.
 It is impossible for them to speak up as they are divided by gender, class, caste, region,
religion and other narratives. These divisions do not allow them to stand up in unity.
 Spivak’s well-known argument is that the subaltern cannot speak for his/herself because the
very structure of colonial power (it must be noted that Spivak is speaking in the context of
colonialism) prevents the speaking.
 She speaks about the harm done to the poor, women and non-Europeans by the privileged
West.
1.2.1 Critique of Western Theorists
 Spivak launches a scathing critique against influential Western theorists like Foucault and
Deleuze, accusing them of perpetuating capitalism, imperialism, essentialism, and
chauvinism.
1.2.2 Ethical Problems in Cultural Investigation
 Using examples like the Indian Sati practice, Spivak explores the ethical dilemmas inherent
in Western investigations of non-Western cultures. She argues that Western frameworks
often fail to capture the complexities of these cultures, serving instead to reinforce colonialist
agendas.
1.2.3 Questioning Objectivity and Transparency
 Spivak challenges the notion of Western objectivity, asserting that knowledge production is
never neutral and always serves the interests of its producers. She highlights the Eurocentric
biases in Western representations of the "other," which ultimately perpetuate colonial
discourse.
1.2.4 The Role of the Subaltern
 Spivak raises the question of whether the "subaltern" – marginalized groups in society – can
truly express themselves within Western academic frameworks. She argues that Western
discourse inherently silences the voices of the subaltern, further entrenching power
imbalances.
1.2.5 Colonialist Nature of Research
 Spivak contends that Western research methodologies are inherently colonialist, extracting
knowledge from non-Western cultures for Western consumption and profit. She critiques the
limitations of Western discursive institutions in allowing postcolonial or feminist
perspectives to be heard.
1.2.6 The Challenge of Representation
 Spivak questions whether the West can authentically represent non-Western cultures
without perpetuating colonial discourse. She argues against Western attempts to speak for the
"other," emphasizing the need for genuine dialogue and understanding.
1.2.7 Implications for Academic Discourse
 Spivak's essay has profound implications for the field of critical theory and postcolonial
studies, challenging scholars to critically examine their own positionalities and biases. It calls
for a re-evaluation of Western epistemological frameworks and a greater acknowledgment of
the voices and experiences of marginalized communities.