Exploring Gender Violence, Patriarchy, and Women’s Struggles in Fatima Bhutto's novel “The Shadow of the Crescent Moon"

Abstract

This article explores the literature of Fatima Bhutto, focusing on her 2015 novel "The Shadow of the Crescent Moon." It delves into the various factors that contribute to the widespread occurrence of violence against women in Pakistan, as depicted in her contemporary works. The analysis aims to examine the correlation between direct, structural, and societal mistreatment in Bhutto's work. The novel is particularly appropriate for this research because it delves into Pakistani individuals' experiences during wartime, political upheaval, and societal hegemony.

Bhutto's work is particularly relevant because it delves into Pakistani individuals' experiences during wartime, political upheaval, and societal hegemony. The novel achieves this by portraying the occurrence of violence at several levels, such as individual, community, and societal, and examining how overlapping identities impact women's experiences with violence. The story delves into the complex and diverse aspects of violence through the examination of female characters like Mina and Samarra. It encompasses more than just physical abuse, extending to psychological suffering, societal prejudice, and political manipulation. Moreover, the underlying and detrimental attributes of cultural and physical violence set a norm and justify explicit violence, such as physical abuse and sexual assault, which profoundly impact the experiences of female protagonists.

Keywords: Fatima Bhutto, gender violence, cultural norms, women's fights, patriarchy, women's rights