A Study On Spivak’s Subaltern Studies

Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak (1942-), an Indian female scholar, is one of the mostactive critics in the circle of the theory of Western literature and art, and is acclaimed,together with Edward W. Said and Homi K. Bhabha, one of "the Holy Trinity" of thepost-colonial theory. Spivak is also one of the important members of the Subaltern StudiesSchool and pays much attention to the subaltern studies. This thesis aims to exploreSpivak’s subaltern studies. To begin with, it makes a review of the history and currentstatus of the subaltern studies and elaborates on Spivak’s view that the subaltern is aconstructed product of discourse. Then, it shows the relationship between the subalternstudies and literary and historical texts by analyzing the use of the translation anddeconstruction strategies; it sums up Spivak’s views on the female subaltern problem andpoints out that there is an absence of gender in the subaltern studies and the hegemony ofWestern feminism. Furthermore, it expands on Spivak’s educational theory and highlightsher solutions to the way the subaltern speaks. In the end, it concludes that Spivakdisapproves of Western centrism and elitism, shows much concern for the vulnerable group,and advocates democracy and equality. This study enriches to a large extent thepost-colonial theory and gives important enlightenment to Chinese academic research.