A Panoptic Approach to Diaspora and Gender: Theorizing through Intersectional Prism

Abstract

Diaspora and Gender are the two broad concepts of contemporary literary discourse. The interconnection of the two has enriched the scope of critical analysis leading to newer formulations of theories and studies. The negotiation of borders and boundaries in transnational realm has intensified the process of migration. The ideology that diaspora is boundary specific and gender is boundary restricted has evolved to a farther extent to accommodate newer shades and dimensions of interpretations to our present day understanding of the realms. The paper approaches the topics of gender and diaspora through a historicized lens, examines its implications in past and present, and explores its ever-widening impact on the future generations through the perspective of inclusion. The contributions of various diasporic and gender theoreticians are analysed in length to give insight to the area. Theorizing gender and diaspora through the intersectional approach of the Latin American writer, Gloria Anzaldua, has dilated the topic.