A Postcolonial Analysis of Easterine Kire’s a Respectable Woman: Dehumanization, Societal Upheaval, and Cultural Blending

Abstract

Nagaland has endured terrible hardships due to a troubled past of rebellion and warfare. Literary narratives emerging from that region highlight tragic histories and the marginalized voices, especially of women. Easterine Kire writes with emotional vigor and authenticity to represent these indigenous voices. Through the lens of colonial oppression, dehumanization is examined revealing how characters in the novel are stripped of their humanity, agency, and cultural identity by colonial forces. Their tales highlight the severe pain that indigenous people have endured by reflecting the systematic violence and marginalization. Another recurring subject is societal instability, which highlights how conventional institutions and ideals became unstable under colonial authority. As characters like the protagonist Kevinuo, move between colonial and indigenous cultures, navigating their identities and allegiances in a volatile colonial context, cultural mixing emerges as a complicated phenomenon inside the story. The novel illustrates the difficulties of creating a sense of identity in a postcolonial environment and the conflict between conserving cultural legacy and assimilating elements of colonial culture. The research being conducted aims to further develop A Respectable Woman as a rich examination of the enduring consequences of colonialism on indigenous communities, as well as to enhance understanding of the agency and resilience of marginalized voices in the face of historical trauma and cultural suppression.