This document discusses how the supernatural has been used as a tool to oppress women across different cultures throughout history. It explores how folklores, media representations, and witch trials have portrayed women negatively if they were seen as "wild", opinionated, or did not conform to conservative dress or behavior. However, the document also notes that the supernatural is now being reclaimed in some popular media to create powerful female figures and address topics like sexuality. Still, it argues that the reclamation process often neglects the most vulnerable women and a critical understanding is needed of who truly benefits versus who is left behind.

1. Oppressed and Reclaimed: A
feminist lens on women and
the supernatural
Abhramika Choudhuri, FLAME
University, Pune

2. · TABLE OF CONTENTS ·
Reclamation
03
INTRODUCTION
01
Flaws in Reclamation
04
Oppression through
the supernatural
02

3. Introduction
Rise of popularity of
supernatural in
popular media.
Used across cultures to
portray women negatively.
How does it function as
an oppressive tool and
how is it being
reclaimed?
Feminist critiques:
supernatural as gendered
tool of oppression

4. Oppression of women through supernatural
■ One of the most popular use of terms like ‘witches’ as a tool
of oppression is associated with the Salem Witch Trials (1962).
■ Mental illness among women projected as ‘witchcraft’ and
‘hysteria.’
■ The use of the supernatural to portray women negatively and
oppress them is seen across cultures.

5. Oppression of women through supernatural
■ Folklores in Zulu community in Africa.
■ Representation of Christophine in Wide Sargasso’s Sea.
■ Indian context: Media representation like Bulbul (2020) and
Arunima Rai Choudhury “Dayaan.”
■ The use of motifs and tropes to make clear differences between
‘good’ women and ‘bad’ women.

6. The ‘good’ and ‘bad’ woman
Has her hair let down
which is ‘wild.’
Dresses and speaks
‘conservatively.’
Dresses freely and is
opiniated.
Tied up hair; well put
together and neat.

7. Reclamation
Reclamation is the process of claiming
something back or reasserting of rights
over something.
The supernatural, in recent popular media,
is being reclaimed by women across
various cultures.
The question is, how effective is it?

8. Reclamation
The creation of the
figure of a
powerful woman
Zanzibari women
Latin-American
countries
To create the
image of a
protector
Indian media
Regarding sexual
conversations

9. Limitations in reclamation
Understanding
its need within
supernatural
oppression.
Discussion of the
concept.
Intersectionality
Need for the
Concept
How can it be
dealt with?
Which
communities of
women are being
left behind?
Neglected
communities
What next?

10. There is a need to critically
understand in the process of
reclamation who is being benefitted
and who is being left behind.
Often those who are left behind are
those who are most vulnerable in the
hierarchy of oppression.
Conclusion

11. references
Chesney-Lind, M., & Eliason, M. (2006). From invisible to incorrigible: The demonization of
marginalized women and girls. Crime, Media, Culture, 2(1), 29–47.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1741659006061709
Irigaray, L., Femme, & Gascan, P. (2011). WOMEN AND MADNESS : CRITICAL PHALLACY New
York : Avon Books , 1973 Edited and annotated by Patrick Berthier . Preface by. English, 5(4),
2–10.
Masuku, N. (2005). PERCEIVED OPPRESSION OF WOMEN IN ZULU FOLKLORE : A FEMINIST
CRITIQUE by. November.
Murga, Y., & Literature, A. P. (2016). REDEFINING THE “ SUPERNATURAL ” WOMAN.
Thompson, K. D. (2011). Zanzibari women’s discursive and sexual agency: Violating gendered
speech prohibitions through talk about supernatural sex. Discourse and Society, 22(1), 3–20.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0957926510382841
History and Education, The Salem Witch Museum. The 1962 Salem Witch Trials.
https://salemwitchmuseum.com/history-education/
Guptan, A.D (Director). (2020). Bulbul [Film]. Clean Slate Filmz
Choudhury, A. R. (2010). Dayan. Published in 101 Prem Er Golpo. Neelanjana Enterprises.

12. Thank you

13. CREDITS:
This presentation template was created
by Slidesgo, including icons by Flaticon,
infographics & images by Freepik
Please keep this slide for attribution