Representation without Voice: Re-theorizing Subalternity in Mother of 1084

This paper explores the politics of representation in Mahasweta Devi’s Mother of 1084,focusing on how the story foregrounds Sujata, a middle-class protagonist while sidelining Somu’s mother,a character who symbolizes subalternity. Drawing on key concepts from subaltern historiography, such as Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak’s notion of the subaltern’s inability to "speak" and Ranajit Guha’s critique of elite-cantered historiography, this analysis critiques Devi’s handling of identity politics in the novel. The narrative’s emphasis on Sujata’s grief and personal awakening underscores the challenges elite mediators
face in genuinely representing subaltern voices, as exemplified by the noticeable silencing of Somu’s
mother and her lack of agency. By examining both the strengths and weaknesses of Mother of 1084, this study engages with broader debates in subaltern studies and postcolonial literature about the ethics of representation, the intersection of class and feminist storytelling, and the critical need for self representation in subaltern narratives. Ultimately, it advocates for a more nuanced approach to understanding subalternity that moves beyond elite perspectives.