DEHUMANISATION AND OBJECTIFICATION: LESSONS FROM PRAJWAL PARAJULY’S “THE CLEFT”

Abstract

In the current world of globalism and multiculturalism and the face of radicalism and terrorism, it is deemed necessary to prepare our students better to face today’s world challenges – to guide students to accept differences among them. Therefore, it is considered necessary to unravel their sense of humanity, being aware of ideas such as objecti ication and dehumanisation – to introduce students to the idea that we, humans, despite our different beliefs, ideals, political views, and religions, share common feelings, desires, andneeds. People come in different shapes, colours, and they all have their de iciencies. How do students deal with the injustice, the inhumanity around them? Do they understand acts of objecti ication anddehumanisation takingplace in theworld? Do theyunderstand the concepts? What are their ideas of the two terms related to humanity? Understanding these two keywordswill help students unravel within them some sense of humanity. This project highlights efforts to introduce students to a work of literature entitled “The Cleft” written by a Nepalese writer Prajwal Parajuly. The students read the story and are expected to uncover their sense of humanity by understanding the concepts of objecti ication and dehumanisation. What lessons can students draw after reading the story? After being introduced to the story and the concepts, students are expected to produce their art project as a re lection and reaction to the story and the ideas embedded in it.