Abstract
This study analyzes Perumal Murugan’s Poonachi: The Story of a Black Goat and One Part Woman to explore the multifaceted theme of fractured identity within the context of caste, gender, and violence in India. Murugan’s novels offer a powerful lens through which to examine the complex interplay between personal and collective identities as characters navigate the oppressive forces of tradition and societal expectations. Poonachi, through the symbolic representation of a black goat, and One Part Woman, through the experiences of a marginalized woman, expose the devastating consequences of caste-based discrimination and gender inequality. Murugan’s innovative narrative style and evocative symbolism provide a poignant critique of how cultural and social hierarchies shape individual experiences and identities. The precarious existence of Poonachi, subjected to societal whims and the vulnerabilities inherent in her animal status, mirrors the struggles faced by marginalized communities. Similarly, the female protagonist in One Part Woman grapples with societal pressures and expectations, highlighting the restrictions imposed on women within patriarchal structures. By examining the protagonist’s struggle for agency and the reclamation of her narrative in One Part Woman, alongside the symbolic journey of Poonachi, this paper illuminates the enduring impact of historical and contemporary forms of oppression on marginalized communities in India. The research delves into the ways in which both novels challenge traditional power structures and offer a nuanced understanding of the psychological and social ramifications of marginalization.
Keywords: Caste, Hierarchy, Identity, Marginalized, Violence.