DECODING POLITICS, CLASS AND POWER DYNAMICS: A MARXIST ANALYSIS OF OSMAN HANEEF’S THE VERDICT

Abstract

The present research study provides a Marxist analysis of Osman Haneef's The Verdict, exploring the intricate dynamics of politics, class, and power. The novel serves as a lens through which the struggles between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat are examined, highlighting the systemic exploitation and oppression of the working class. By analyzing the ways in which the bourgeoisie use legal, economic, and religious power to maintain their dominance, this study uncovers the mechanisms of control and marginalization that perpetuate class divisions. The novel also emphasizes the emergence of class consciousness among the oppressed, which is central to Marxist theory. Through a detailed examination of class struggle, alienation, and the labor theory of value, this analysis reveals the inherent inequalities of capitalist society as portrayed in the novel, shedding light on the enduring relevance of Marxist critique in understanding social and economic power dynamics. Haneef’s The Verdict powerfully explores the intricacies of class and power, depicting the persistent conflict between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. This analysis delves into various episodes within the novel where the bourgeoisie wield their power to oppress the proletariat, emphasizing the exploitation and domination carried out for their own advantage. Conversely, the proletariat endures ongoing oppression, marginalization, and discrimination, which are enforced through legal, economic, and religious structures. These oppressive experiences contribute to an increasing awareness of class, a key focus of the novel. Grounded in Marxist theory, this study highlights the theme of class struggle, which is fueled by the uneven distribution of wealth and power. Marx's labor theory of value is examined to expose the exploitation of labor under private ownership, leading to the alienation of workers from both their labor and society within the capitalist framework.