Conflict as a Narrative Tool in Postcolonial Writing - The case of Margaret Mascarenhas’ novel ‘Skin’

Abstract

This study investigates the significance of conflict in Margaret Mascarenhas' novel ‘Skin’ as a literary tool, using Robert Stanton's notions of internal and external conflict. The primary goal is to investigate how conflict progresses the narrative and creates thematic discourse in the text. Internal conflicts are caused by characters' inner struggles with opposing emotions, impulses, and ethical dilemmas, whilst external conflicts are caused by fights with nature or supernatural factors. This study underlines the centrality of conflict in literature, impacting character development, narrative advancement, and thematic exploration. It offers light on the complexity of Goan literature, identity formation, and the interplay between colonial and postcolonial forces, by merging postcolonial concepts and conflict analysis, highlighting the critical role of conflict as a catalyst for narrative development.