اشفاق احمد کے ناولٹ 'مہمان بہار' میں معاشرتی مسائل کی پیش کش

Presentation of Social Issues in Ashfaq Ahmed's Novelette Mehman-e-Bahar

Abstract

This research explores the socio-psychological dimensions of Ashfaq Ahmed’s renowned novelette, Mehman-e-Bahar, through the lens of societal structures and individual moral crises. The study contextualises the human position as "Ashraf-ul-Makhluqat" (the noblest of creatures), emphasising that social interaction is the cornerstone of a functional society. By analysing the protagonist, Akhtar—a highly educated yet disillusioned youth—the text highlights the tragic consequences of a lack of purpose, societal pressures, and moral decadence. Akhtar’s character serves as a symbolic representation of the psychological conflict between traditional expectations and personal desires. His journey from a failed local business to seeking validation in England mirrors the collective plight of a generation grappling with unemployment and an identity crisis. The narrative critiques the comparison culture and the pursuit of ego-driven desires, which lead Akhtar into a web of infidelity involving multiple women, including Saeeda, Esther, and Irene. Ultimately, his betrayal of moral and religious values culminates in a tragic end, contrasting his family’s joyful anticipation of his return with his silent demise. The study concludes that Mehman-e-Bahar is a profound social document that warns against the erosion of self-discipline and the destructive nature of infidelity within the social fabric.