A Legacy Of Bias Through The Lens Of Narratology

Deveshi Bose, BBA LLB (Hons.), Christ (Deemed to be University), Lavasa, Pune

ABSTRACT

History continues to struggle to persist as we face the challenge of spreading stories worldwide. The limitations of reasoning through the lens of narratives affect public comprehension of legal issues. Constructing media narratives within the liminal legal spaces tends to exploit the limitations and manipulate society’s sense of truth and justice. The exploration of the boundaries of the knowledge of humans within the spectrum of society is drawn by referring to historical events. A comprehensive analysis would determine how narratives disregard the reasoned analysis and how schema-based biases can distort interpretations of legal events that could hinder the application of universal moral principles.

Caste was a significant social reality in India at the time of Independence. Hence, the paper shall examine issues revolving around caste-based discrimination. Media framing techniques shall be analysed to contribute towards understanding the schema-based biases that widen the ruptures of casteism. Studies stemming from multiple case studies shall be looked into as we embark upon this journey of narratives. The paper asserts that while freedom of speech and expression is of a fundamental nature, the media often neglects underlying social structures and historical realities, perpetuating biases and impeding progress toward social justice.

Keywords: Media, Narratives, Bias, Schema, Culture.