Cyber Criticism and the Representation of the LGBTQ+ Experience in South Asian Literature: A Comparative Analysis of "Funny Boy" by Shyam Selvadurai and "No One Can Pronounce My Name" by Rakesh Satyal

Academic

Anjali Malik Research Scholar, Department of Arts and Humanities SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana Published: May 14, 2025

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Abstract

This research paper aims to discover the depiction of the LGBTQ+ experience in South Asian literature through a comparative study of two novels: "Funny Boy" by Shyam Selvadurai and "No One Can Pronounce My Name" by Rakesh Satyal. The study implements a cyber criticism approach to examine how the internet and digital spaces influence the portrayal of LGBTQ+ identities and narratives. The paper provides an overview of the cultural and social context of South Asia, emphasizing the taboos and stigmas surrounding non-heteronormative sexuality in the region. It evaluates how the characters in the novels, through virtual spaces such as social media platforms and online support groups, seek acceptance, build connections, and claim their identities beyond the limitations of their physical and cultural settings. Additionally, the paper investigates how the novels engage with issues of diaspora, intersectionality, and the role of tradition in perpetuating or challenging heteronormative norms. By examining the depiction of the LGBTQ+ experience in South Asian literature from a cyber criticism outlook, this study sheds light on how literature includes digital spaces to amplify marginalized voices, disrupt stereotypes, and challenge societal norms.

Keywords

Cyber Criticism LGBTQ+ representation South Asian literature Digital Age Online Spaces Social Media Technology Identity Relationships Acceptance South Asian Context Societal Norms Inclusivity Self-expression

South Asian LGBTQ+ literature has developed as an influential means of expressing the varied experiences and struggles of entities whose sexual orientation and gender identity challenge traditional cultural norms in South Asia. Against the framework of deep-rooted societal and religious liberalism, South Asian LGBTQ+ literature has boldly directed taboo subjects, providing a platform for marginalized voices to be heard and understood. The literary works of this genre critically examine the difficulties of gender and sexuality, giving insight into the experiences, challenges, and conquests of LGBTQ+ individuals. These narratives also serve as a compound for social change and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights in South Asia. Through storytelling, poetry, and other literary forms, LGBTQ+ literature continues to shape and redefine societal perceptions, understanding, and solidarity within and beyond the region.

Literature analysis within the context of digital and online technologies holds significant importance in modern literary analysis because the rise of digitalization has fundamentally transformed how literature is consumed, disseminated, and created. Cyber literature allows us to engage with how digital culture influences the production, distribution, and reception of literary texts and the impact of these changes on the reading experience. Digital technologies have reshaped the socio-political scene, disturbing issues such as access to literature, censorship, surveillance, and digital inequality. Cyber criticism examines how literature reflects, responds to, and critiques these dynamics in the digital age. The spread of online platforms, social media, and digital archives has profoundly impacted how readers engage with literature and writers produce their work.

The purpose of conducting a comparative analysis of "Funny Boy" by Shyam Selvadurai and "No One Can Pronounce My Name" by Rakesh Satyal on Cyber Criticism and the Representation of the LGBTQ+ experience in South Asian literature is multifaceted; it aims to examine how the two novels depict the LGBTQ+ experience within the context of South Asian culture. It explores the themes of identity, sexuality, and acceptance within a cultural framework that may have traditional views. The comparative analysis also explores the impact of digitalization on the reception and discourse surrounding LGBTQ+ literature in South Asia. It examines how social media and online communities have influenced the texts' discussion, reception, and interpretation. It investigates how the representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in the novels negotiates with, challenges, or reinforces cultural attitudes toward gender and sexuality. This allows a deeper understanding of how different authors depict and engage with LGBTQ+ themes and how these depictions are received and interpreted within the digital sphere.