Embodying Identity: The Centrality of the Body in Trans Stories

Transgender individuals express their resistance against traditional gender and sexual norms through their writing, placing a significant emphasis on the body in their narratives. In today's society, transgender individuals are undergoing various forms of transition, ultimately resulting in a transformation of their physical body. A. Revathi's narrative, The Truth About Me: A Hijra Life Story, illustrates how bodily transition impacts an individual's societal place. This will be examined through Judith Butler's theory of performativity and Julia Kristeva’s concept of abjection, highlighting how a changed body becomes a target of mistreatment due to its non-conformity with societal norms.