Nicole Alvarez
04/23/13
In the novel Untouchable,
we see a world where people are divided by a caste system that controls
everyday life. Over the course of the novel we come across several instances in
which the inequality and discrimination is clear . One major event is the
hockey game during which members of different castes mingle and engage in a
contact sport. The main character, Bahka participates in this game after receiving
a hockey stick as a secret gift from a member of an upper caste. After Bahka,
an untouchable scores a goal a fight erupts among men of different castes and
from different neighborhoods. During this quarrel there was an incident with a
young boy who gets injured. Bahka is the only person that tried helping the boy
yet instead of receiving gratitude he is met with disdain by the boy’s mother. She
automatically assumes he is responsible for the injury and insults him.
Although he is an untouchable he behaved in a noble manner and was still
condemned by society. Throughout the novel Bahka is faced with this constant disapproval
which makes he feels resentment towards upper castes but also a strong desire
to be accepted into their realm.
The conflict in
the novel between Bahka’s resentment and his longing for acceptance demonstrates
to readers how effective racial formation is and that accepting this idea
places an internalized notion of prejudice.
The balance of
power always places groups on opposite ends of the spectrum which results in
conflict
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