International Research Journal of Education and Technology

Trans literary texts are often considered to be gender narratives that revolve around the question of gender identity of the trans subject.Trans literature not only subverts the essentialist notions of gender but also serve as a means of carving a niche for the gender-atypical identities. However, the trans subjects before constructing a distinct identity of their own undergo trials and tribulations thrown upon them by the heteronormative society.  The present paper examines the representation of trans identity in the trans fiction written by Japanese writer, Yu Sakurazawa. The selected text is an autobiography styled fiction which tells a story of an intersexed transwoman Roopini who is born to a prostitute. As a consequence of being born with intersexed genitals, she lives under constant humiliation and hardship, but finally finds happiness as a successful classical dancer, wife of a foreigner and mother of an adopted baby. The paper discusses the lived experiences of the protagonist who faces numerous challenges in order to assimilate with her real sense of identity.

Keywords: Trans Fiction, Transgender, Intersex, Gender identity