Victimization in Mahaswetha Devi’s Douloti The Bountiful

Abstract

Victimization, a pervasive and multifaceted element of human society, manifests through systemic structures that enable the oppression of the marginalized by the powerful. This persistent dynamic the tyranny of the wealthy over the poor and the powerful over the weak has historically been presented as an unchangeable condition. Through the lens of critical theory, this paper argues that Mahasweta Devi’s “Douloti The Bountiful” exposes the brutal mechanisms of  this system, moving beyond mere portrayal to a powerful indictment. The narrative meticulously charts the protagonist’s journey from initial exploitation to complete dehumanization, highlighting how systemic oppression is perpetuated through economic coercion and social marginalization. Furthermore, the story reveals a critical paradox: the complicity and jealousy that can fester among the victimized class itself, internalizing the logic of their oppressors and hindering collective solidarity. Ultimately, Devi’s committed literature does not just scream against heinousness; it illuminates the path toward a nascent victim consciousness. This awakening, the paper contends, is the essential catalyst for challenging and dismantling the very foundations of such
oppression.