Intersections of identity, religion and patriarchy in psychological development: A psychoanalytic study of Nadeem Aslam's The Wasted Vigil

Identity formation, a crucial aspect of personality development, is influenced by social, historical, cultural and psychological factors. In Afghanistan, religion and patriarchy function as two of the most powerful ideological institutions that shape identity. Understanding the complexities of identity formation in countries facing political instability, religious extremism and gender oppression remains pertinent today. The primary objective of the study is to explore how religion and patriarchy influence the psychological development of the characters in Nadeem Aslam’s The Wasted Vigil. This study argues that these ideological structures force characters into subjectivities affecting their autonomy and perception of self. Grounded in psychoanalytic theory, the research employs Louis Althusser’s theory of ideological interpellation and Erik Erikson’s theory of identity formation to understand the formation of identities. By the close reading and qualitative analysis of the text, the study analyses how the novel reflects the social and psychological realities of Afghanistan. The novel is a microcosmic reflection of Afghanistan’s complex socio-political landscape and successfully captures both the social as well as the psychological dimensions that shape Afghan identity.