An Analysis of Humanism and Realism in Manto’s Short Stories

Abstract

Saadat Hasan Manto, one of the most prominent short story and fiction writers in Urdu literature, is widely known for his unfiltered portrayal of society and deeply humanistic approach to storytelling. His fiction captures the raw realities of the human condition, often delving into themes of partition, sexuality, marginalization, and psychological trauma. This paper explores the intricate interplay of humanism and realism in Manto’s short stories. Manto’s realism is not limited to external events or historical occurrences but extends deeply into the psyche of his characters, who are often victims of societal hypocrisy, political turmoil, or internal moral conflict. Through stories such as Khol Do, Thanda Gosht, Toba Tek Singh, and Bu, Manto presents a world where the lines between right and wrong, virtue and vice, are blurred challenging the reader’s moral framework. His humanism lies in his refusal to dehumanize his characters, even when they operate in morally ambiguous or socially condemned spaces. Women, prostitutes, refugees, lunatics, and the lower classes are not mere symbols in his work but complex human beings with agency and depth. This paper analyzes these themes from psychological and sociological perspectives, particularly through Freudian analysis and social realism. By doing so, it underscores Manto’s unique contribution to literature as a truth-teller who believed in confronting society with its own reflection. His work remains deeply relevant in understanding the socio-political and moral crises of both his time and the present.

Keywords: Saadat Hasan Manto, Urdu Literature, Humanism, Realism, Partition, Psychological Analysis, Social Realism, Gender, Marginalization, Freudian Theory