The Right to Write: An Analysis of the Interdependence of Representation and Reality

Abstract

This paper investigates the intricate relationship between representation and reality in literature, working with Rebecca F. Kuang's 'Yellowface' alongside other real-world instances from the modern publishing industry. With Stuart Hall's idea that representation is a component of reality as the main theoretical framework, the author aims to investigate how literary depictions both reflect and create societal beliefs, particularly those concerning diversity and authenticity. The essay discusses the ethical quandaries of authorship and the repercussions of misrepresentation, focusing on situations in which individuals have used marginalised identities for personal, often monetary, benefit. It criticises the pervasive Eurocentrism in literary diversity initiatives and analyses how the dominance of diaspora voices and translated works can unintentionally perpetuate stereotypes and distort cultural realities. The paper argues, using examples from literature and lived experience, that representation and reality cannot exist in a vacuum and are extremely co-dependent, with faulty representation leading to problematic realities and vice versa. The paper concludes by arguing for increased publishing accountability, sensitivity readers, and a sophisticated knowledge of the connection of representation and reality in order to reduce harm and create true, diverse narratives. 

Keywords: Stuart Hall