Marginalization in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Marginalization

The term “marginalization” finds its roots in the Latin word “marginalis,” meaning situated at the edge or border. In an academic context, the concept has evolved to denote the social and economic processes through which certain individuals or groups are relegated to the periphery of societal structures, thereby experiencing exclusion and limited access to resources and opportunities.

The etymology underscores the spatial metaphor, emphasizing the marginalized individuals’ figurative position on the margins of societal norms.

Meanings of Marginalization

Aspect	Meanings
1. Social Exclusion	In literature and literary theory, marginalization refers to the representation of characters or groups who are socially excluded, often reflecting real-world dynamics of power and privilege.
2. Narrative Periphery	Marginalization can manifest as a narrative strategy, where certain characters or storylines are relegated to the periphery, contributing to a nuanced exploration of social hierarchies.
3. Power Imbalances	Literary works may employ the theme of marginalization to illuminate power imbalances, showcasing how certain individuals or communities are marginalized due to factors such as race, gender, or socioeconomic status.
4. Subaltern Voices	Marginalization in literature often involves giving voice to subaltern perspectives, allowing the narrative to challenge dominant ideologies and provide a platform for marginalized voices.
5. Symbolic Spaces	The concept may be explored through symbolic spaces within a literary work, where physical or metaphorical margins symbolize the social, political, or economic margins experienced by certain characters.
6. Intersectionality	Marginalization in literature may intersect with various forms of discrimination, reflecting the complexities of identity and emphasizing how individuals may face multiple layers of marginalization simultaneously.
7. Reader’s Perspective	Literary theory also considers how readers engage with texts that portray marginalization, exploring the impact of these representations on readers’ understanding of societal structures and inequalities.
8. Resistance and Empowerment	Marginalized characters in literature may also serve as agents of resistance and empowerment, challenging the status quo and inspiring change within the narrative and, by extension, the broader social context.

Definition of Marginalization as a Theoretical Term

Marginalization, as a theoretical term, refers to the systematic social process through which certain individuals or groups are relegated to the periphery of societal structures, limiting their access to resources and opportunities. It is a concept often employed in academic discourse, particularly within social sciences and literary theory, to analyze and understand the dynamics of exclusion, emphasizing the intersectionality of factors such as race, gender, and socioeconomic status.

The term encapsulates the multifaceted nature of societal inequalities, elucidating the marginalization of specific populations and the resultant impact on their participation and agency within broader social frameworks.

Marginalization: Origin, Theorists, Works, and Arguments

Origin:

The concept of marginalization has roots in social and economic theories dating back to the mid-20th century. While its etymological origin lies in the Latin word “marginalis,” meaning situated at the edge, its theoretical development gained traction as scholars sought to understand the systemic processes leading to the exclusion of certain individuals or groups.

Theorists:

1. Michel Foucault: Foucault’s work on power structures and discourses laid the groundwork for understanding how marginalization operates within broader societal frameworks. His examination of how knowledge is produced and how it influences social norms contributes to the understanding of marginalized voices.
2. Pierre Bourdieu: Bourdieu’s concept of cultural capital and habitus sheds light on how social structures perpetuate marginalization. His theories emphasize how individuals from marginalized groups may face barriers due to their lack of access to cultural and educational resources.
3. Frantz Fanon: A critical figure in postcolonial theory, Fanon explored the psychological and social impacts of colonization. His writings, such as The Wretched of the Earth, provide insights into the marginalization experienced by colonized peoples and the internalization of inferiority.

Works:

1. Discipline and Punish by Michel Foucault: This seminal work explores the mechanisms of societal control and how institutions contribute to the marginalization of certain groups by establishing and enforcing norms.
2. Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgment of Taste by Pierre Bourdieu: In this work, Bourdieu examines how cultural preferences contribute to social inequalities, shedding light on the mechanisms that lead to the marginalization of certain cultural practices.
3. The Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon: Fanon’s influential work delves into the psychological and social consequences of colonialism, emphasizing the processes of marginalization and resistance in colonized societies.

Arguments:

1. Structural Inequality: Theorists argue that marginalization is deeply rooted in structural inequalities embedded in social, economic, and political systems, perpetuating disadvantages for specific groups.
2. Intersectionality: The concept of intersectionality, popularized by Kimberlé Crenshaw, is often integrated into discussions of marginalization, highlighting how various social categories (race, gender, class) intersect to create unique experiences of exclusion.
3. Agency and Resistance: Scholars argue that marginalized individuals and communities are not passive victims but agents of resistance. The focus is on understanding how they navigate, resist, and challenge oppressive structures.

In summary, the concept of marginalization, originating from mid-20th-century theories, has been developed by influential theorists such as Foucault, Bourdieu, and Fanon. Their works analyze the structural inequalities and power dynamics contributing to the exclusion of certain groups, providing a foundation for understanding and addressing issues of marginalization in various societal contexts.

Marginalization and Literary Theories

1. Postcolonialism: Postcolonial literary theory explores the effects of colonization and imperialism on marginalized cultures and societies. It examines how colonized peoples and their cultures have been marginalized, oppressed, and misrepresented in literature. Writers from marginalized regions often reclaim their voices and identities in postcolonial literature.
2. Feminist Literary Theory: Feminist theory focuses on the marginalization of women in literature and society. It examines how gender roles and patriarchy have marginalized women’s experiences and perspectives in literary works. Feminist critics analyze how female characters are portrayed and the ways in which women’s voices have been suppressed or silenced.
3. Critical Race Theory: Critical race theory (CRT) explores issues of racial marginalization and discrimination in literature. It looks at how racial identities and stereotypes are constructed in literary texts and how writers engage with and challenge racial hierarchies. CRT also examines the intersectionality of race with other forms of marginalization, such as gender and class.
4. Queer Theory: Queer theory examines the marginalization of LGBTQ+ individuals and experiences in literature. It analyzes how heteronormativity has traditionally marginalized queer voices and identities. Queer theorists explore how LGBTQ+ characters and themes are represented and how queer authors challenge normative narratives.
5. Marxist Literary Theory: Marxist theory addresses issues of class and economic marginalization in literature. It examines the representation of social classes, exploitation, and inequality. Marxist critics analyze how literature reflects and critiques the power dynamics between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat.
6. Reader-Response Theory: Reader-response theory considers how readers’ interpretations of texts may reflect or challenge their own marginalized positions. It recognizes that readers bring their own experiences, identities, and social contexts to the act of reading, which can influence their understanding of a text’s portrayal of marginalized groups.
7. Cultural Studies: Cultural studies incorporate a multidisciplinary approach to analyzing literature and its connections to culture and society. It often addresses issues of marginalization by examining how literature reflects and shapes cultural norms, identities, and hierarchies.
8. Ecocriticism: Ecocriticism explores the marginalization of the environment and non-human entities in literature. It examines how nature and ecological concerns are often marginalized in favor of human-centric narratives. Ecocritics analyze literature’s role in shaping perceptions of the natural world.
9. Intersectionality: Intersectional literary analysis considers how multiple forms of marginalization intersect and compound in literature. It recognizes that individuals may face overlapping forms of oppression based on factors such as race, gender, class, and sexuality.

Marginalization in Literary Criticism

Work	Critique of Marginalization
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy (Indian)	– Marginalization Theme: The novel explores the marginalization of social outcasts and the consequences of breaking societal norms, particularly through the characters of Ammu and Velutha, who belong to lower castes in India’s caste system. – Literary Criticism: Using a postcolonial or caste-based literary criticism approach, one can analyze how the novel portrays the marginalization of characters based on caste, class, and gender. Additionally, a feminist literary criticism lens can be applied to examine the marginalization of female characters in the story.
Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie (Indian)	– Marginalization Theme: The novel delves into the marginalization of individuals born at the stroke of midnight on India’s independence day, who possess special powers but are marginalized by society and the government. – Literary Criticism: Postcolonial literary criticism is highly relevant in analyzing how the novel addresses themes of colonialism, identity, and marginalization in post-independence India. The novel’s magical realism elements also invite literary criticism discussions regarding the blending of reality and fantasy.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (Foreign – American)	– Marginalization Theme: The novel examines racial marginalization and prejudice in the American South, focusing on the character of Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. – Literary Criticism: Applying a critical race theory perspective, one can analyze how the novel portrays racial marginalization and discrimination. Feminist literary criticism can also be used to examine the marginalization of female characters like Scout and Calpurnia.
Beloved by Toni Morrison (Foreign – American)	– Marginalization Theme: The novel explores the lasting impact of slavery and the marginalization of African Americans in post-Civil War America. The character of Sethe, who escaped slavery but still faces the haunting effects of her past, exemplifies this theme. – Literary Criticism: A postcolonial approach can be used to analyze how the novel addresses the legacy of slavery and the dehumanization of African Americans. Additionally, feminist literary criticism can examine the marginalization of female characters and the portrayal of motherhood in the novel.

In each of these novels, the theme of marginalization is central to the narrative, and various literary criticism approaches can be employed to delve deeper into the social, cultural, and historical contexts of the characters’ marginalized experiences.

Suggested Readings

1. Alexander, Michelle. The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. The New Press, 2010.
2. Anzaldúa, Gloria. Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza. Aunt Lute Books, 1987.
3. Butler, Octavia E. Kindred. Beacon Press, 1979.
4. Coates, Ta-Nehisi. Between the World and Me. Spiegel & Grau, 2015.
5. Danticat, Edwidge. Breath, Eyes, Memory. Vintage, 1998.
6. Ellison, Ralph. Invisible Man. Vintage, 1952.
7. Fanon, Frantz. The Wretched of the Earth. Grove Press, 1963.
8. Hooks, Bell. Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism. South End Press, 1981.
9. Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eye. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1970.
10. Roy, Arundhati. The Ministry of Utmost Happiness. Knopf, 2017.
11. Rushdie, Salman. Midnight’s Children. Vintage, 1980.
12. Shange, Ntozake. For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf. Scribner, 1977.
13. Walker, Alice. The Color Purple. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1982.
14. Wright, Richard. Native Son. Harper & Brothers, 1940.