"روبینہ فیصل کے افسانوں میں تصورِ مرد: ایک نفسیاتی، سماجی اور ادبی تجزیہ"

Abstract

In traditional Urdu literature, the male character has often been portrayed as a symbol of authority, power, or oppression. However, in the short stories of Rubina Faisal, this notion is critically deconstructed. Her fiction presents the male figure as fragmented, defeated, and psychologically distressed—entangled not only within his own self but also within his relationships, societal roles, and cultural identity. This study explores the male character in Rubina Faisal’s works through a psychological, sociological, and literary lens, examining themes such as migration, cultural conflict, and the shifting gender dynamic.

In stories such as “Gumshuda Saaye,” “Khawab Se Lipti Kahaniyan,” “mhobat ke akhari khani ,” “waris,” and “phonix,” men appear not as dominant or romanticized protagonists, but as emotionally distant, ideologically conflicted, and silently burdened figures. Through symbolism, internal monologue, and nuanced realism, Faisal gives voice to the silent psychological battles of her male characters—highlighting their fears, insecurities, and existential anxieties.

This research reveals that Rubina Faisal does not depict men as either outright oppressors or innocent victims. Rather, she portrays them as human beings caught within a socio-cultural framework that enforces rigid gender expectations and suppresses emotional expression. Her literary voice offers a new depth to the concept of masculinity in Urdu fiction, presenting it as fractured, evolving, and intrinsically human.