Estimation of Manto’s Fictional Characters Manoeuvring the Cause Of Women Inclusivity in Society

Abstract

Pre Independence India is shrouded with the haze of colonial presence. However it has witnessed some of the most stupendous ideological transitions in the same phase. Saadat Hasan Manto is a well-known name in the literary world. His writings have given some legendary fictional characters like Toba Tek Singh which are still afresh in the minds of the people. He was a magnificent author who captured some of the most lamentable episodes of India’s partition in his writings. Also, he was considered an outspoken feminist who voiced the shunned voices of women. His collection of stories entitled “Bombay stories” illustrated the squalid realities of prostitutes and demanded a reputed and justified place in the society for these women. He questioned the stereotyped attitude of society about the expression of her desires by a woman. In stories like Khushiya, Siraj, Mozelle and Janaki, he terrified the male chauvinism with the intrepidity and audaciousness of his female protagonists. His writings were garlanded with extreme hatred and criticism by the champions of Patriarchal society who surnamed Manto as an outre and impudent writer.

An undaunted man like Manto never revered the society of dress makers who wished to cover all dark corners of human desires with patches of shame and concealment. He was a social archaeologist who wanted to unearth the multiple layers of the social apparatus and lift up the microbes of disparities, barbarity and religious fanaticism to reveal to people their real complexion.

This research paper would study Manto’s works in the context of Women emancipation and would be solely based on primary and secondary sources.