31, January 2025

Postcolonial Feminism in J. M. Coetzee’s Foe

Author(s): Dr. M. Nithya

Authors Affiliations:

Assistant professor of English, Karuppannan Mariappan College , Chettiyarpalayam, Muthur

DOIs:10.2017/IJRCS/202501005     |     Paper ID: IJRCS202501005


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This article examines the interplay of postcolonial feminism within J.M. Coetzee's novel Foe. It highlights how the text subverts traditional narratives to reveal complexities of identity, power, and representation. Postcolonial feminism critiques mainstream frameworks for their inadequacy in addressing the experiences of marginalized women, particularly those from the Global South. Coetzee's protagonist, Susan Barton, navigates the challenges of authorship and narrative control, reflecting the struggle for self-representation against colonial legacies.

The character of Friday, rendered mute, symbolizes the silenced voices of colonized subjects, raising questions about the ethics of representation and the limitations of language. Through an exploration of intersectionality, the article illustrates how gender, race, and power dynamics inform the characters' experiences and interactions. Coetzee's engagement with colonial narratives serves as a critique of historical power structures while advocating for recognition of marginalized voices.

The novel's metafictional elements invite readers to question dominant cultural narratives and their implications on identity. Ultimately, Foe stands as a powerful narrative urging a re-examination of colonial legacies and the ethical responsibilities of storytellers. It emphasizes the need to listen to and amplify the stories of those historically silenced.

Postcolonial Feminism, Representation, Intersectionality, Silence, Narrative Control.  

Dr. M. Nithya (2025);  Postcolonial Feminism in J. M. Coetzee’s Foe, International Journal of Research Culture Society,    ISSN(O): 2456-6683,  Volume – 9,   Issue –  1.,  Pp.35-38.        Available on – https://ijrcs.org/

  1. Coetzee, J. M. Foe. Penguin Books, 1987.
  2. Spivak, Gayatri Chakravorty. “Can the Subaltern Speak?” Marxism and the Interpretation of Culture, edited by Cary Nelson and Lawrence Grossberg, University of Illinois Press, 1988, pp. 271-313.

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