SYMBOLISM IN MAZHAR-UL-ISLAM’S SHORT STORIES: A CRITICAL AND ANALYTICAL STUDY

Abstract

Mazhar-ul-Islam occupies a distinctive position in modern Urdu fiction due to his profound and multidimensional use of symbolism. His symbolic discourse transcends aesthetic ornamentation and functions as an effective artistic medium for representing psychological conflicts, existential anxiety, political oppression, and social disintegration. This study critically examines the symbolic structure of Mazhar-ul-Islam’s selected short stories and explores how his symbols transform ordinary objects, characters, and situations into complex layers of meaning. The article argues that his symbolic technique is deeply rooted in the socio-political realities of Pakistan, particularly the atmosphere of authoritarianism, alienation, loneliness, and identity crisis that shaped the literary consciousness of his age. Furthermore, the study investigates the psychological, existential, political, and social dimensions of symbolism in his fiction and demonstrates that his narratives are not merely fictional accounts but intellectual and philosophical reflections on the human condition. Employing a qualitative and analytical method, this research concludes that Mazhar-ul-Islam successfully broadens the scope of Urdu symbolic fiction by integrating artistic innovation with ideological depth, thereby establishing symbolism as a powerful vehicle for intellectual resistance and humanistic expression.