Postcolonial poetics tries to assess and analyse the mechanism of marginalization caused due to colonialism. It also tries to focus on the features of the hegemonic superstructure that operates through oppression, suppression, dislocation, disaffiliation and disjunction. Postcolonialism also studies the effects of the colonial hangover in the psyche of the colonised people. The idea of the subaltern is an off-shoot of postcolonial poetics referring to the marginalized groups and go those who are outside the hegemonic structure. The original concept of subalternity got expanded gradually and now it covers a wide range of issues concerning marginalisation. Siddhartha Chowdhury's story "The Leader of Men" is an interesting account of the conflict between the elite and the proletariat. In this story Roop Singh, the proletariat is humiliated by Mr. Kedia, the elite, and ultimately Roop Singh tries to register his violent protest by thrashing the lobby of the apartment that becomes the symbol of the hegemonic structure.
Associate Professor, Department of English, S.K.R.College, Barbigha, Sheikhpura (Bihar)
