Discursive Constructions of Power and Class in Mohsin Hamid’s Moth Smoke: A Critical Discourse Analysis Approach

Muhammad Ramzan; Aziz Ullah Khan; Muhammad Osama Bin Hameed; Muhammad Hassan Shah

doi:10.5281/

Authors

Muhammad Ramzan PhD Scholar Qurtuba University Peshawar, Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, KPK, Pakistan Author
Aziz Ullah Khan Assistant Professor of English, University of Science and Technology, Bannu Author
Muhammad Osama Bin Hameed MPhil Scholar | Lecturer in English, Department of English and Applied Linguistics, University of Science and Technology, Bannu Author
Muhammad Hassan Shah MPhil Scholar | Lecturer in English, Department of English and Applied Linguistics, University of Science and Technology, Bannu Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/

Keywords:

Class distinction, Critical Discourse Analysis, Moth Smoke, Power dynamics, Social Inequality

Abstract

Mohsin Hamid’s “Moth Smoke” (2000) is a compelling exploration of social inequality and power dynamics in Pakistan, portraying the stark divide between the elite and the marginalized. This study employs Fairclough’s Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework to examine how language, narrative structure, and character interactions construct and perpetuate class distinctions in the novel. By analyzing textual excerpts, discourse practices, and social practices, the research reveals how Hamid critiques systemic inequities and ideological biases embedded in Pakistani society. The findings highlight the novel’s role in challenging dominant power structures and offer insights into the interplay of language, ideology, and social hierarchy. This study contributes to literary CDA by demonstrating how fiction can serve as a tool for social critique, urging readers to reflect on their roles in power-laden discourses.