Pakistani Literature

In Translation

Submitted to: Dr.Asif

Submitted by: Shumaila Liaqat

Discipline: M.Phil (English Literature)

Roll no 2618( 2nd semester)

Riphah International University Faisalabad

Critical Analysis of Hajra Masroor’s

“The Monkey’s Sore” (Bandar Ka Ghao)

Contents Layout with List About author

Style,works and areas of interest

Character’s in “The Monkey’s Sore”

Alienation & suffering

Sense of loneliness

Loss of genuine love

Feminist perspective

Moral & religious condition of patriarchy

About AuthorWith the passing away of Hajra Masroor, a prominent fiction writer, the era of Urdu’s Bronte sisters comes to an end. Hajra Masroor (January 17, 1929 - September 15, 2012) and her elder sister Khadija Mastoor (December 17, 1927 – July 25, 1982) were prolific writers; both started writing stories for children in their early teens. In 1940s they moved up to the higher league. Their short stories received acclaim in Urdu circles, and both the sisters became the rising stars on the horizon of Urdu fiction. The brilliance of their work enabled the two to join the ranks of Ismat Chugtai and Qurratulain Hyder . Over the next four decades the sisters went on to produce a number of literary masterpieces.

Style,works & areas of interest

Khadija wrote novels Aangan , and Zameen; and short

stories Bochar, Khael, and Chand Rooz Aaur. And, Hajra’s

imagination yielded powerful short stories like Teesrie Manzil,

Undahray Ujalay, Charkhaay, Chore Chupay, Chand key Doosrie

Taraf and Hai Allah. Masroor’s fictional subjects are middle-class

women who chafe against the barriers that confine their existence

but cannot break the restraints that patriarchal society impose on

them. Her narrative style is complex and she writes more in the

‘modern’ than ‘realistic’ mode favoured by the writers of the

PWM.The story “The Monkey’s Sore” is a good example of her

fictional style.

Character’s in “The Monkey’s Sore”All the characters of the story are nameless.

1= She

2= Older

Brother

3= Younger Brother

4=Amma [Mother]

5= Father

Hajra described the sufferings of women. The Monkey’s Sore

a short story written by Hajra Masroor. This story begins with

the description of a woman. She was suffering from

alienation and she was living a very miserable life. There

were monkeys in the home who were coping her. She

became afraid of them. She decided that she did not run

away from them they could attack on her. The rest of the

people of her house were busy in talking and chatting with

each other. They were complaining her alienation. She

always remains alone.

Alienation & suffering

Sense of lonelinessShe did not marry and her mother was unhappy due to her

marriage. In her family the girls married in a very young

age. The writer also described the difficulties of these

girls. She had well manners and well bred but could not

arrange for marriage. Only her mother worried about her.

Her father was always busy in smoking. He always

recalled his past events and celebrated them. Her

brothers were always busy in making friendship with girls.

She had two brothers. They did not care anyone in the

family.

She spent most of her time on the roof of her house. She was

waiting for someone who could marry with her. She spent many

days and nights in waiting but no one come. She became very

depressed. The writer also described a cultural event of kite flying.

Her younger brother was complaint his neighbor to cut his kite .On

this night she silently went to the roof for waiting someone. All the

people of her house began to think about a thief. Her father felt

dishonor. Her brother awoke from a dream about her newest

paramour. Her condition was indescribable. With the passage of

time every one forget it no one understand her.

Loss of genuine love

We can discuss this short story with feminist perspective. All the characters of the story are nameless. The writer used their positions as a name of them. The monkeys in their house represented the male dominant society. These monkeys attacked on her. This attack symbolically represented men criticism and restrictions for women. As the writer described in the story  “How similar the monkeys and my family are.”

Feminist perspective

The writer also described the issue of marriage before time. In her family girls mostly married before time. Actually the writer wrote this story to highlight the women problems in patriarchal society. The writer also described the religious aspect of the modern age. The two brothers always busy with their girl friends. The writer also highlights the moral and religious condition of patriarchy.

Moral & religious condition of patriarchy