The Political and Dictatorial Elements in Rasheed Amjad’s Short Stories (with Reference to the Collections “Sah Pehar Ki Khizaan” and “Aik Aam Aadmi Ka Khawab”)

رشید امجد کے افسانوں میں سیاسی اور آمریتی عناصر ( افسانوی مجموعہ" سہ پہر کی خزاں" اور " ایک عام آدمی کا خواب" کے حوالے سے)

Abstract

Literature draws inspiration from life, and politics constitutes a significant aspect of life. Literature is often considered a mirror of society, so writers cannot refrain from addressing national political scenarios like other aspects of life. Several literary figures within Urdu literature have explored political issues and their associated complexities through their creative works. Among these figures, the eminent and esteemed Rasheed Amjad holds a prominent place in the landscape of Pakistani literary figures. Rashid Amjad was a recognized Urdu short story writer. This research study investigates into a critical analysis of selected short story collections by Rasheed Amjad, namely "Sah pehar Ki Khizan" and "Aik Aam Aadmi Ka Khawab," with a focus on their political and authoritarian dimensions. The study seeks to ascertain how Rasheed Amjad has symbolically depicted the political events of his era, including the Martial Law period, and their consequences in his short story collections. Furthermore, the study aims to explore how he skillfully articulates elements of political directional, authoritarian oppression, ignorance, fear, suppression, terror, and hardship of that era in an engaging narrative manner. It also seeks to uncover his portrayal of the hypocritical behavior of rulers and the public.

Keywords: Politics, Authoritarianism, Martial Law, Public, Rasheed Amjad, Symbolic Short Story Writing