Urmila Pawar's 'Sixth Finger'", has been undertaken as part of my study of literature and social issues, where I developed an interest in understanding how caste and gender shape human identity. During the course of my academic journey, I became increasingly aware that systems of oppression such as caste and patriarchy are not separate but deeply interconnected. This realization inspired me to explore this topic in detail. While studying Dalit literature, I found that the works of Urmila Pawar offer a powerful and realistic portrayal of marginalized lives, especially those of Dalit women. The story "Sixth Finger" presents a symbolic representation of social exclusion and identity crisis. It highlights how individuals who are considered different are often treated as inferior by society. This understanding encouraged me to analyze the story from the perspective of caste, gender, and identity. This dissertation is an attempt to examine how social structures such as caste hierarchy and patriarchy influence the lives of individuals and shape their sense of self. It also explores how marginalization leads to identity struggles and how literature becomes a medium of resistance and self-expression.
Shreya Niraj Gupta (Thu,) studied this question.