Projection of Marginal Existence and Cultural Scenario: A Study of The Opium Clerk by Kunal Basu

Kunal Basu has presented the marginalized people and the cultural life of the people of the globe in his creative writings. Antonio Gramsci, Gayatri Spivak and Edward Said have elaborated the term subaltern in their theoretical arena. Hiron is the protagonist of the story The Opium Clerk. He becomes a victim of racial marginalization voluntarily. Lilian is an orphan girl. Lilian has raised her marginalized status by Mr. Crabbe. Douglas has overcome his marginalized position by his activities and his will power. Saraladevi becomes a widow and marginalized figure. Ruth is an orphan girl and she is socially excluded. Ibrahim is also an orphan and marginalized figure of this text. Cultural conflict is also projected by the writer. The postmodern hybrid culture is highlighted in this text. Homi K. Bhabha, Raymond Williams and Terry Eagleton have elaborated the term cultural study in their theoretical discussion. Mahim becomes a prey of cultural marginalization. He rejects the western philosophy and western culture. He accepts the Indian spiritual culture. Douglas is a hybrid character in true sense. This research paper is on the socially excluded classes and the culture of the globe as represented by the writer Kunal Basu in his text, The Opium Clerk.