ECHOES OF THE SUBALTERN: MARGINALIZED VOICES IN LYNN NOTTAGE'S "RUINED"

Abstract

This research study aims to explore the overlooked perspectives portrayed in Lynn Nottage's play Ruined. It attempts to address a significant gap and shed light on how marginalization, particularly of women in conflict zones, is a shared experience across societies and a universal dilemma. While Nottage's narratives of women in war-torn Congo have been widely discussed, this study focuses closely on how her play amplifies subaltern voices. Drawing from Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak's Subaltern Theory as a guiding framework, this study utilizes methods like Close Reading, Thematic Analysis, and Contextualization to explore Ruined deeply and uncover its underlying themes and messages. Through this analysis it seeks to show how literature serves as a platform for marginalized voices to be heard, revealing shared struggles and resilience while highlighting the influence of socio-political context on the narrative. This study plays a role in raising awareness about the challenges faced by marginalized women, aiming to change how society views them and to influence perceptions and policy.