Subalternity through the Eyes of Gayatri Spivak

The main purpose behind penning down this paper is to bring forth the subject of subalternity as dwelt upon by Gayatri Spivak. The orientation of the field of subaltern studies towards feminism in general came through discussion of gendered subalternity, and post-colonial feminism, in particular. She has rendered voice to the voiceless and thus serving the cause of the subaltern. Spivak claimed that subaltern is gendered and hence deserves to be studied with feminist theory in view. Spivak, a critique of critics, connects the concept of the subaltern to the marginalized poor women of third world countries and pointed out the shortcomings of traditional feminism as an unsuitable approach for voicing the situations of poor women all around the world. She highlights how a certain section of the society is often othered and how privileged position perpetrates domination over the Subject and thereby giving birth to the notion of marginalization.