Representation

From the Oxford dictionary I have come to know of certain meanings of the word “Representation”: presence, appearance, an image, figure, exhibition, revealing fact, statement, presentation of thoughts etc.

Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak finds distinction between “Vertretung” & “Darstemmung.” The former she refers as “stepping in someone’s place…..to tread in someone’s shoes.”- In which a representer speaks for the needs & desires of somebody or something. On the other hand, “Darstemmung” is representation as re-presentation, “placing there.”

Then Ella Shohat says that, we should constantly question the representations. We have to scrutinize the representations to find out who represents, who is being represented for what purpose, at which historical moment, for which location, using which strategies & in what tone of address.

Another point to be noted that, representations for minor groups are though few in numbers; they can be exaggerated & flawed. In this type of representation, few characters are chosen to be typical to represent the whole group & other minor groups as well. As we know that the representations have an effect on human lives, the impact of the minor representations can not be ignored. They are so vulnerable & can play a harmful role in society because they are not well elaborately organized.

Therefore finally we have to keep in mind that, what ideological significance a representation holds, what is it’s goal & consequences before presenting.