THE INSTITUTIONALISATION OF POWER: A FOUCAULDIAN DISCOURSE ANALYSIS OF HANIF KUREISHI’S RED BIRDS

Abstract

This study explores the idea of institutionalisation of power in Hanif’s Red Birds from the perspective of power and knowledge. It discusses the negative uses of power through different modes of institutions and the absurd notion of the endless war with the impossible dreams of world peace. Michel Foucault’s perceptions into the spirit of power and opposition provide an appropriate structure for assessing the power forms through different moods of institutions in the society with the social theory of power. The process of institutionalisation is the action of establishing something as a custom or rule in an organisation or any institution. It focuses on the behaviour and meaning of discourse and stress on relationship of power and knowledge in society. A Foucauldian discourse analysis theory focuses on the power structures and institutional implication of discourse through individual’s social practices. Significant factions of society hold absolute power and determine the course of living under the shadows of war and powerful domination. Through this kind of thinking, this study aims to explore the discourse under the Foucauldian Discourse Analysis (FDA) framework in Hanif’s Red Birds. It demonstrates the negative use of power through different institutional sentiments and the absurd concept of never-ending in the Middle East.