The Character-Centric Short Stories of Rashid ul Khairi

علامہ راشد الخیری کے کرداری افسانے

Abstract

Allama Rashid-ul-Khairi is recognized as the first short story writer in Urdu. His stories offer a remarkable reflection of the lives of women in his contemporary times. The female characters, he presented, are considered exemplary representatives of the feminine temperament of that time. The following article critically examines the character-based stories of Allama Rashid-ul-Khairi. The character portrayal, the psychology of his characters, and the contemporary social circumstances have been analyzed in the light of different critical theories. Such a study on character-driven short stories has not previously been available in Urdu literature. It is hoped that, this study will enhance the understanding of Allama Rashid-ul-Khairi's short stories, provide insights into the psychological and social conditions of women in his time, and in turn, offer guidance to modern women on how to improve their domestic and social life.