Abstract:
This research focused to critically investigates Fatima Bhutto’s novel The Shadow of the
Crescent Moon in terms of Althusser’s theory of Ideology and Ideological State
Apparatuses. It is argued by Althusser, that in modern capitalist society ideological state
apparatuses and repressive state apparatuses are used by state as major apparatuses in
order to maintain and reproduce their domination on the oppressed and un-ruling class of
society. Individuals are transformed into subjects through ISAs and individuals
uncritically accept this subjection to the subject on which power is exerted through the
process of subjection. This research tends to explore the subjugation of the oppressed
people in tribal areas of Pakistan and role of the state in legitimizing the oppression with
reference to the novel. It delineates the prejudiced and imperialistic attitude of state and
non-state forces towards the backward people of tribal areas. This study portrays the
impact of imposed ideologies on the people of tribal areas by applying Althusser’s
Ideological and Repressive State Apparatuses on the novel to highlight the condition of
the poor people who are being oppressed by the powerful people in the capitalist society.
The present research also demonstrates Althusser’s major concepts including ideology,
relationship of ideology to culture, ideological subjection, and interpellation the dominant
concepts are examined and discussed through this novel. Simultaneously, Hegemony as a
result of ISAs and RSAs is also analyzed
