Unveiling the subversive potential: Challenging dominant ideological discourses in selected literary texts Cover Image

Unveiling the subversive potential: Challenging dominant ideological discourses in selected literary texts
Unveiling the subversive potential: Challenging dominant ideological discourses in selected literary texts

Author(s): Sajjad Gheytasi
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Political Philosophy, Theory of Literature, American Literature, Sociology of Literature
Published by: Ústav svetovej literatúry, Slovenská akadémia vied
Keywords: Hegemonic discourse; Faultline; Residual elements; Yaa Gyasi; Colson Whitehead

Summary/Abstract: The unconscious of the text utilizes residual elements from the past as strategic faultlines, purposefully disrupting the articulation of the dominant hegemonic discourse. These residual elements function as floating signifiers within the discursivity field, calling attention to their presence on the surface. As a result, the convergence of crisis and oppression forces the reader to question the validity and authority of the dominant discourse. In this study, a comprehensive strategy is proposed aiming to question the entrenched ideological discourses prevalent in specific literary texts: The Underground Railroad (2016) by Colson Whitehead and Homegoing (2017) by Yaa Gyasi. This strategy will be outlined in detail and subsequently applied to select literary works to demonstrate its efficacy and practical application. Moreover, it also emphasizes the strategic utilization of culture. It highlights the promotion of dynamic approach rather than passive agreement, and creation of a platform for collective resistance rather than a mere survival space. The strategy recognizes the value of culture in achieving specific goals, harnessing cultural resources to encourage active engagement against oppressive forces. Additionally, the strategy aims to establish a collaborative space where individuals unite to challenge prevailing norms and systems, acknowledging the importance of collective action and solidarity in effective resistance.

  • Issue Year: 16/2024
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 3-19
  • Page Count: 17
  • Language: English
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