Subalternity in A. Nurpeisov’s Novel “Final Respects”

Abstract

This study aims to comprehensively examine postcolonial themes in A. Nurpeisov’s novel “Final Respects”, with a particular focus on the issue of subalternity. Consequently, the central-periphery relationship serves as the primary analytical framework. In light of national independence, the novel critically explores the colonial empire’s treatment of the local population, illustrating subalternity through concrete examples from the author’s perspective. The core argument of this research is that Nurpeisov’s intellectual duty was to elevate the subaltern subject. The academic significance of this study lies in its systematic engagement with key concepts of postcolonialism, including subalternity, the central-periphery dynamic, Orientalism, and Eurocentrism. Additionally, the study’s practical relevance is highlighted by its exploration of ecological consciousness in relation to human destiny. To identify constructed values, the research employs hermeneutic analysis, network analysis, and synthesis, uncovering a range of binary oppositions. By drawing on the works of scholars such as E. Said, G. C. Spivak, S. Cameron, E. Schatz, and J. McNeill, this study demonstrates that the novel can be analyzed within a postcolonial framework, with the relationship between human and environmental ecology emerging as a crucial aspect. Furthermore, by exposing the negative paradigms historically imposed upon nomadic peoples within a Eurocentric framework, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of colonial discourse. Ultimately, the study offers insights into the fields of postcolonialism, and sociology, fostering further academic discourse.

Keywords: central-periphery, power relations, orientalism, subalternity.