On the Path of Moral Conflicts and Social Critique: Mantu and Premchand’s Theory

Authors : Aykut Kişmir, Canan Yoğurt

Pages : 59-73

Doi:10.26650/jos.1620129

View : 62 | Download : 216

Publication Date : 2025-10-22

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study explores the literary identity of Saadat Hasan Mantu, a leading Urdu writer, and Premchand, an influential Hindi-Urdu author celebrated for his socially aware narratives that capture the hardships of rural India and explore themes such as poverty, injustice, and resilience in the human spirit during the 20th century. Saadat Hasan Mantu was influenced by Russian literature through English translations. What distinguishes Dostoyevsky is his inclination to feature the outcasts and deviants of Russian society in his works, individuals regarded as taboo, peculiar, and negative. Influenced by Dostoyevsky’s subjects and motifs, Mantu also illuminated the deviance, negativity, cruelty, and stark realities of society in the Indian subcontinent. He witnessed the events of the partition of India and opted to portray bloody depictions of plunder and violence in his works. These narratives often depicted the harrowing circumstances that compelled people to migrate. Similarly, Premchand, a pioneering figure in Hindi-Urdu literature, depicted the plight and struggles of marginalized communities in rural India, addressing issues such as poverty, social injustice, and moral dilemmas. Through his socially conscious stories, he sought to raise awareness of the hardships faced by the rural poor, which resonated with Dostoyevsky’s focus on societal issues. In this context, this study explores the traces of Dostoyevsky in both Mantu’s and Premchand’s stories and examines how these influences were utilized to reflect their respective societies.
Keywords : Hint Alt-Kıtası, Bölünme, Dostoyevski, Saadat Hasan Mantu, Premçand

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