Sociological themes in Saeed Ashar's fiction

Abstract

Rousseau, a great philosopher, writes that "Man is a social animal". In light of this quotation it is rightly said that he cannot remain detached from society. Meanwhile, literature serves as the interpreter of life, encompassing all aspects of society including social, economic, political, religious, and historical dimensions, culminating at a particular point. Saeed Ashar, hailing from Haripur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Hazara Division, is known as a social realist as well as a unique style bearer in Urdu fiction. He has presented exemplary instances of social realism and sketches in his stories. His stories not only depict the harsh truths and complexities of life but also portray the injustices, inequalities, discrimination, tyranny, capitalist and feudal systems' evils, the plight of the lower classes, and numerous such issues prevalent in society. He has made the living and breathing characters of society the subject of his stories and has unveiled the dark facets of society.