The Dialectic of Weightism and Docile Body in Roxane Gay's Hunger
Fatma Dhafir Madhi
Tikrit University
Lamiaa Ahmed Rasheed
Tikrit University
DOI: https://doi.org/10.25130/Lang.8.12.15
Keywords: body surveillance, docile body, fatphobia, Roxane Gay's Hunger, weightism
Abstract
This paper examines Roxane Gay's memoir Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body through the lens of Michel Foucault's concept of the "docile body," highlighting how societal norms regulate and control women’s bodies. Gay’s narrative explores the physical, emotional, and psychological impacts of obesity and trauma, focusing on how fat bodies, especially those of women, are policed and marginalized. The analysis delves into Gay’s personal experiences of body surveillance, internalized fat phobia, and the intersection of race and weightism. Gay’s memoir critiques societal beauty standards, body shaming, and fat stigma, revealing how bodies become objects of scrutiny and control. Ultimately, this paper argues that Gay's resistance to societal norms through her storytelling reclaims her agency, challenging the notion of the docile body and advocating for body positivity and inclusivity. Through an analysis of both personal and societal dynamics, the paper illustrates the power of narrative in resisting body oppression and promoting diverse body representations.
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