The subalternity in Cloud Atlas, by David Mitchell

Author(s)

Davi Silistino de Souza

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São José do Rio Preto. 2018-02-28.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Instituto de Biociências Letras e Ciências Exatas. São José do Rio Preto
• Defense date: 2018-02-09
• Advisor: Cláudia Maria Ceneviva Nigro

Abstract

Injustices and oppressions faced by subalterns have been studied for some decades by Subaltern Studies Groups, whether of Indian or Latin origin. With the aid of the group researches, contemporarily, excluded individuals acquire a voice, being heard and respected. Considering these facts, the dissertation aims to contribute to this fight by studying how subalternity is represented in characters in Cloud Atlas (2004), a novel written by David Mitchell. In our analysis, we will highlight the presence of hegemonic structure critiques in the construction of characters from subaltern groups. They belong to societies organized in a social and economic hierarchy, responsible for subjugation and muffling of subaltern’s voices. We will observe how Mitchell gives voice to characters who subvert the contempt, attack or even muzzling subalterns. As a criticaltheoretical approach, we base our research on Grosfoguel (2008), Mignolo (2007) and Castro-Goméz (2005), to discuss issues related to decoloniality; in Foucault (2015), Rabinow and Rose (2006), to deal with the concept of biopower; in Butler (2003), Foucault (1980) and Stadniky (2007), to study identity and gender issues; in Arendt (2000), Bauman (2014), Butler and Spivak (2007), to discuss subaltern freedom; in Bauman (2014) and Eagleton (2004, 1996), to study concepts related to contemporaneity; and finally, Bhabha (2013) and Santana (2008), to discuss issues related to different conceptions of time. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/25282-4 - The subalternity in 'Cloud Atlas', by David Mitchell
• Grantee: Davi Silistino de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master