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VOL. 2, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Mapping the non-space: A psychoanalytic perspective on Dalit liminality
Authors
Anagha Jyothish
Abstract
The core of liminality lies in occupying a transitional, often
ambiguous space between two distinct states, identities or social orders.
Discourses on liminality must consider complex intersections of factors like
caste, religion and gender in a country like India. This study critically
examines the impossibility of transcending caste and cultural boundaries in
Indian scenario, through a psychoanalytical approach to liminality. M M
Vindodini’s short story “The Parable of a Lost Daughter: Luke 15: 11-32” captures
the intricate dynamics of caste-based prejudice that governs social
interactions and identity construction in Indian societies. This paper locates
the Dalit Christian protagonist of the story at the intersection of Gennep and
Turner’s theoretical framework on liminality and Freud’s tripartite
classification of the human mind. It advocates that the protagonists’ liminal
space is not essentially one of transition, but is one that reveals the
unfeasibility of transformation and that the liminal space itself is a
self-imposed condition initiated by her ego. The study also aims to interrogate
themes of caste, identity, consciousness, hypocrisy and social justice,
contributing to scholarly discussions on the socio-psychological impact of
caste and the limitations of liminality as a framework in socially stratified
contexts.
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Pages:50-53
How to cite this article:
Anagha Jyothish "Mapping the non-space: A psychoanalytic perspective on Dalit liminality". International Journal of Applied Review
, Vol 2, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 50-53
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