IMPLEMENTATION OF MICHEL FOUCAULT'S THEORY OF POWER IN KHUSHWANT SINGH'S NOVEL TRAIN TO PAKISTAN

Abstract

Purpose of the study: The present study aims to show Michel Foucault's concept of power in the selected novel Khushwant Singh's Train to Pakistan (1956), and the theory of power is applied in a way that how power is present in the character Juggut Singh. Methodology: The present research is qualitative in its approach, exploratory in nature, and close reading textual analysis is used to interpret the data. Main Findings: The interpretation of the components of Power by Michel Foucault in Khushwant Singh's novel Train to Pakistan (1956) has been focused that resulted in the hidden and invisible form of power is experienced without knowing the power, but it dominates the individual's behaviour and hidden attitude. So, such a form of power is constructed in the child's character through social norms and discourses at the very start of his life. Applications of the study: The paper helps to identify in future studies how Michel Foucault's concept of power in other literary genres and how power is applied in different ways and operated in the contexts of literary genres.  Novelty/Originality of the study: The study is based on the novelty of the idea based on power theory. If the child is not stealing or not doing something wrong, then it does not mean that he has a fear of punishment, but he would not want to steal because this thing is inside his psyche. That's why he is unwilling to steal because his inside power is not allowing him to do so. Therefore, the research identifies Michel Foucault's concept of power in the selected novel of Khushwant Singh Train to Pakistan (1956).