Class Conflict and Institutional Authority: A critical Study of Hassan Bin as an Alienated Character in The Stolen White Elephant (1882)

Abstract

The current study analyzes The Stolen White Elephant (1882) by analyzing the concept of alienation, suffering and institutional oppression with the aid of Marxist literary criticism. The study centers specifically on the Hassan Bin persona of alienation and suffering and the role of the detectives and the institutional authorities in the creation of class conflict, emotional helplessness and social exclusion. The study traces the impact of bureaucratic authority, institutional power, and capitalist ideology on Hassan Bin's psychological plight and alienation throughout the novel. The study is qualitative with the main method of interpretation being the textual analysis. Some parts of the story are explored deeply as the influence of Marxist concepts such as alienation, class struggle; commodification, institutional oppression, and capitalist hegemony are analyzed. Theories of Karl Marx and later Marxist critics are also introduced into the study to consider the relationship of power to human suffering in the text.  When the white elephant disappears, Hassan Bin loses control of the investigation, which according to the findings of the study makes him feel socially alienated, helpless and emotionally lonely. The authorities and the detectives control the situation through bureaucratic power, which they take advantage of, and the abuse of their authority; which is ignored by Hassan, because he has a strong emotional and cultural attachment with the elephant. Besides, the investigation is not driven by the genuine worry and human kindness of the investigators, but by incentives, notoriety and institutional reputation. This study shows the capitalist institutional power and class control through the detectives and the oppressed and marginalized individual in capitalist society are represented by Hassan Bin. By highlighting the absurdity, hypocrisy, and inefficiency of such bureaucratic organizations, Twain exposes the absurdity of their self-importunateness and their ability to put themselves before justice and care for mankind. This research has established that The Stolen White Elephant (1882) is not simply a fun police procedural but a serious examination of capitalisms' bureaucratic structure, institutional oppression, class differences, and alienation of humanity.