Reading Ideology of Classism: Althusserian Analysis of ISAs and RSAs in Arundhati Roy’s The God of Small Things

Abstract

The present research study invokes Althusser's theory of ideological state apparatuses (ISAs) and repressive ideological state apparatuses (RSAs) to Arundhati Roy's novel The God of Small Things, which was published in 1997. The study examines how the oppressive ideology of classism is spread through the Family ISA (Ideological State Apparatus) and Police force RSA (oppressive State Apparatus) to oppress and manipulate individuals in favor of the upper class. The close reading technique is employed in qualitative research to uncover the research findings. The major protagonists were indoctrinated with the ideology of classism by their family and the police force, either willingly or by coercion. The idea of classism significantly influences the behaviors and beliefs of nearly all the important characters. The major protagonists consider themselves to be autonomous individuals, although they are unable to discern the underlying cause of their predicament.