Humanity vs. Animality

Spatial Oppression in Tender is the Flesh

Abstract

Agustina Bazterrica’s 2017 novel Tender is the Flesh critiques a capitalist society for its ability to dehumanize some in service for others. This is done through the portrayal of cannibalism and selective oppression based upon select spatial circumstances. This paper provides a spatial analysis of the novel by bringing the plot and the system within into context of Henri Lefebvre’s book, The Production of Space, which shows how space can be used as a tool to bring oppression into a society. The novel shows how language and spaces with predetermined expectations represent and build oppression. This helps us to understand, through an extreme example, the overall system of oppression.
Content Warning: This article contains sensitive content, including discussion of cannibalism, which some readers may find disturbing.