Troubles and Triumphs of Dalit Women: A Study of Sharakumar Limbale's Autobiography The Outcaste

Dalit literature reflects the frank and honest experiences of Dalits. Dalit autobiographies discuss not just the life of the individual but also the experiences and lives of entire communities. Men’s and women’s Dalit autobiographies differ in terms of the emotions they convey, the style of storytelling, and the sense of community and family they represent. The autobiographies of Dalit men vividly show the subjugated situation of women and their total marginalization. In contrast to the majority of Dalit autobiographies written by men, Dalit women are given a voice in Sharankumar Limbale’s autobiography, The Outcaste.

The autobiography brings to light the troubles and triumphs of Dalit women in India through caste prejudice, economic hardship, and sexual exploitation. The autobiography features many female characters; widows, childless women, deserted women and none of them are without a major life issue. By presenting them, Limbale attempts to highlight the troubles and triumphs of Dalit women, who face discrimination from both their men and the wealthy upper castes. For Limbale, the tragedy of her women characters is a common feature of Dalit life. This article examines the female characters in the autobiography to highlight the troubles and triumphs of Dalit women in Sharakumar Limbale’s autobiography The Outcaste.