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VOL. 11, ISSUE 3 (2025)
Fragmented Selves: Identity Crisis and the Quest for Selfhood in Sharankumar Limbale’s the Outcaste (2003)
Authors
Ashok Kumar Tanan
Abstract
Sharankumar Limbale’s Outcaste (Akkarmashi) is a seminal Dalit autobiography that
foregrounds the intertwined struggles of illegitimacy, caste stigma, and the
search for dignity. This paper examines the identity crisis that shapes
Limbale’s life, where his birth as an “akkarmashi” or half-caste positions him
as an outsider both within and beyond caste boundaries. Hunger, poverty, and
exclusion serve not only as lived experiences but also as metaphors for the
systemic deprivation of Dalits. At the same time, Outcaste demonstrates how writing becomes an act of
resistance, transforming personal humiliation into collective assertion. By
situating Limbale’s work within the broader tradition of Dalit autobiographies,
the study highlights how his narrative redefines autobiography as a social
testimony rather than individual expression. Ultimately, the paper argues that
Limbale reclaims selfhood through solidarity with Dalit consciousness, showing
that the pursuit of identity is inseparable from the larger struggle for justice
and social transformation.
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Pages:41-44
How to cite this article:
Ashok Kumar Tanan "Fragmented Selves: Identity Crisis and the Quest for Selfhood in Sharankumar Limbale’s the Outcaste (2003)". International Journal of English Research, Vol 11, Issue 3, 2025, Pages 41-44
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