The Influence of Ideology and Hegemony: Althusserian Analysis of Fatima Bhutto’s “The Shadow of the Crescent Moon

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.