A Foucauldian Discourse Analysis of Nadeem Aslam’s The Golden Legend

Abstract

The Golden Legend a novel by Nadeem Aslam is subject to a Foucauldian discourse analysis in this research paper. Michel Foucault's post-structuralist concepts of discourse, power, and knowledge are employed to examine how the novel challenges and dismantles dominant discourses of modern society. The novel mainly focuses on the sufferings of marginalized faction of Pakistani society, particularly the Christian community and covers the prevailing religious extremism, hatred under the social institution of religion. Setting of the novel is in the city named Zamana near Lahore and the story revolves around protagonist’s struggle for identity. The study also focuses on the novel's contemplation of how knowledge, power, and resistance intersect. New counter-discourses arise, emphasizing the work as not only a tool for resistance but also of critique. These findings underscore the text’s role in deconstructing and contesting the hegemonic discourses, highlighting how literature can function to push back against established norms.