EXPLORING SELVARATNUM’S MEMOIR ASSUME NOTHING THROUGH THE LENS OF ABUSE AND VIOLENCE

Abstract

This paper explores into the insightful analysis of Tanya Selvaratnam's fascinating text, "Assume Nothing," employing Judith Butler's Language and Power Theory as a critical framework. The primary focus lies within in depth analysis of the layers of verbal, physical, intimate, and emotional violence embedded within the text. The textual analysis draws attentionto how language, in both overt and subtle forms, becomes a vehicle for the execution and continuation of violence against women.The article not only serves as a critical analysis of "Assume Nothing" but also as an affecting exploration of the extensive societal issues it captures. It identifies and acknowledges the author's efforts in giving voice to untold stories, contributing to the continuing discourse on women's experiences of violence.This research article provides valuable insights into the complexinteraction of language and power, elucidating the ways in which these dynamics express in the experiences of women as portrayed in "Assume Nothing." In this way, the study aims to contribute to an impactful understanding of the challenges women face, offering a platform for discourse and paving the path for meaningful change in societal attitudes towards gender-based violence.