"Spatio-Temporal Milieu of selected Pakistani short stories"
Introduction
According to Merriam Webster, Literature is the body of writing on a particular subject. Literature is also described as something which is expressive or we can say that it is creative. In addition to this Literature is defined as books and writings published on a particular subject. Moreover, literature is meant to be the body of written works of a language which is specific to a period or culture.
According to Dictionary.com, it is ‘‘the specialty and occupation of a literary writer’’. Furthermore, literature is a term used to depict the human experience which is why it exists in all forms. In addition to this literature is basically the work of creative imagination, including poetry, drama, fiction, nonfiction, journalism and in some instances song. Literature simply represents the culture and tradition of a language or a person living everywhere in the world.
According to Merriam Webster, ‘‘a literary genre is basically a category of literary forms and genres which may be determined by literary techniques or methods, tone, content or even (as in the case of fiction) length’’. A genre is the depiction of scenes or events from everyday life usually which are true to life. Furthermore, we can say that a genre is classed for artistic, musical or literary composition authorized by a particular style, form or content.
Storytelling has always been considered a favorite pastime in all cultures. Short stories have been developed or created from anecdotes, parables, fables, ballads, sketches and tales. Edgar Allan Poe is called the “father” of short stories because he is accepted by setting up the first guidelines for the short story which obviously must put on a certain unique effect with brevity, unity and intensity. A short story is considered to be a short work of fiction with imagined events and specific characters. Short stories are specific in their organization they are meant to be presented. A good short story is created with the help of some characters, with proper conflict, plot and the theme all of which form the basic elements of a story.
Themes are giving worth not just too any piece of literature, but also to a short story. Themes give critical importance to a short story. Themes are situated in some instances within plot and setting, hence, setting is a crucial part of a short story without which the structure of the short story is not possible. According to writingcomons (Julie Nicholas, 2013).The setting is a crucial element to any story. In order to produce an imaginary world of a story and to capture or catch the audience, setting plays a vital role. A short story is a work of short, narrative prose that is usually centered around one single event which is limited in scope and has an introduction, body and conclusion and is written with much greater precision hence, each instance is very vital. Usually setting of a short story holds central importance which shown through the events and happenings. Writers frequently utilize portrayal of landscape, scenery, buildings, seasons or climate which gives a solid feeling of setting in a short story. In addition to this setting is the stage for the story which engages readers in the fictional world.
According to Reference.com/art-literature/setting-story (Alfred, 2017) in a story setting indicates to place and time (or multiple places and times) in which the short story unfolds and expands. In addition to this setting is more than simply a geographical section or time period that makes a nice atmosphere to a story. Actually setting gives the basic framework for a story which the writer creates to present his ideas. A proper setting of a story not only gives immense pleasure to the reader as it forms the basic unit of a short story, but its significance for the reader is increased in a short story as a short story is limited in time and precision. Details related to settings are carefully woven for the readers within the story and themes.
Time and place are the two basic factors of the setting of a story. The places that writers select establish mood and atmosphere in the minds of the readers. Place in a story determines framework for the characters’ lives and action. Place can emerge and change as the story progresses. It can be used to show the chance to demonstrate the entry for time, making your story feel at greater amount more genuine or real. Time is an equally important aspect of setting. Fundamental elements of setting include locale, time of year, time of day, elapsed time, mood and atmosphere, climate, geography, Manmade geography, eras of historical importance social/political/cultural environment, population and effect of inheritance matters a lot. Overall, the setting is the context in which the story takes place, which includes the time, the place, and the social environment and aspects related to it. According to Awaiting the Muse (EffyJ.Roan, 2017) Short story is categorized into ten types which are as follows: Anecdotes, Drabble, Fables, feghoot, flash fiction, Frame story, Mini-saga story, Story sequence, Sketch story and Vignette. All these types are defined below: - An anecdote is a type of storytelling about a real person and/or incident; it can also be called as a true story. They are very short having no specific limits. Drabble is a brief story which is also called as exceptionally short in length. Basically consists of 100 words .A Fable is a short story having a good moral lesson. Most famous among children often the moral is revealed at the end Feghoot is a humorous short story .A short story consists of 300 words. Flash fiction is an extremely short story in length which is also called as a short piece of literature. Frame story is a technique of placing a story within a story for the purpose of introducing or setting the stage for main narrative or a series of short story which are written by any person. Mini saga is a short story which is restricted to 50 words, that type of story is called as mini saga. It is about saying a detail description with limited words. Story sequence is that when a group of short stories work together to form a longer piece it is called as story sequence. In this type of short story each story stands on its own, which means each one of them functions as a complete short story on its own. It is also called as a short story cycle. Sketch story is consists of description of a character or a location it can be referred to as a sketch story .The story is shorter in length having no plot. Character sketches are explained properly in this type of story. Vignette is a short story which focuses on a single scene character, idea, setting or object .It can be stand-alone piece or part of a larger work .There is a little emphasis on a literary structure. Five short stories of different Pakistani writers have been taken i.e. Zoo by Mr. Tariq Rehman, Nawabdin electrician by Daniyal Mueeubdin, Maa by Zaib-un-Nisa Hamidullah, The Notebook by Tahira Naqvi, The Spell and the ever changing moon by Rukhsana Ahmad. Above mentioned names are famous writers from Pakistan. All of them are renowned Pakistani writers because of their literary writings. The researcher is going to highlight the salient features of a short story i.e. “Setting” in the given short stories by different Pakistani writers. This works aims to study setting specifically in Pakistani English short stories. For this purpose, five English short stories of different Pakistani writers have been selected which will be analyzed with respect to the research objectives. The study focuses on the short stories of five Pakistani writers.
1.1 Problem Statement
The setting is among the key elements of short stories which contribute immensely to the presentation of the narrative. They differ with respect to culture, individuals, themes and social aspects. This study aims at exploring the setting of Pakistani English short stories to identify their salient features as work in this area has not been conducted before.
1.2 Research Objectives
To analyze the setting in Pakistani short stories which have been written by Pakistani writers.
To highlight the salient features of the use of setting in short stories which have been written by Pakistani writers.
1.3 Research Questions
What is the role of setting in Pakistani short stories?
How have the Pakistani writers utilized the setting to deliver the themes?
1.4 Significance of the Study
The study will highlight salient features of the use of setting in Pakistani fiction. It also helps the learners to understand the salient features of short stories. This study will provide information regarding the physical setting of the short stories. Students can gain benefits from the study by focusing on Pakistani fiction in order to determine their setting for writing.
CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW
The researcher has found several examples of researches which are related to the genre of literature which is Short story. These researches are as follows:Vision and form in john Updike’s short fiction written by Li.Kanggin. Vision and form in John Updike’s Short fiction..This research includes the artistic approach of twentieth century American writer John Updike’s short fiction. This research studies the concept of clarity in the short fiction of Updike. Moreover, it works on the review of the short story as a literary genre. The research works on the understanding of the short stories and then with an analysis of Updike’s fiction .This research aims to explore the clarity of relationship between seeing and writing through the writer’s perspective. (Updike, 2014).This previous research worked on the short fiction as the researcher in this current research is going to analyze the five Pakistani short stories with respect to setting A short story Approach to Analyzing Teacher Imagine Identities Over time a research article written by Gary Barkhuize. This research article includes the recommendations for teachers that how short stories are selected in order to create a good reading atmosphere. Furthermore, this research also includes the suggestions for the proper use of short stories. (Barkhuize, 2016) .This research article worked on the recommendations and suggestions for teachers while current research work only on short stories.
Eudora Welty and the short story cycle by Ikuko Takeda. A report on the Research at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. This research aims to focus on short stories cycle as a literary genre in terms of the .historical and cultural context of the American South. It is a collection of short stories in which each short story is independent and interconnected to one another. As we know that American Southern writers have created many short stories. Basically this research was a collection of short stories which have been written by Eudora Welty. (Welty, 2016).This research focuses on a short stories with respect to literary genre while current research aims to focus on a setting of Pakistani English short stories.
Structural Analysis of “Peanut and Sparky” by Umar Fauzan. A Short Story by Arnie lightning as a way in understanding literature. (Fauzan, 2016). This research explores the plot, setting, characters, conflict and other elements of the story. This research is basically analyzing the structure of Arnie lightning’s short stories peanut and sparky which plays an important role in a literary work. This analysis captures the readers as well as writer’s interest and intention through the themes, characters and moral values and furthermore, the element of setting in a short story which is considered as essential element in gaining readers interest. This research aims to focus on plot, setting, characters and other elements of the story while current research focuses on highlighting the element of setting in the Pakistani short stories.
The Revival of the Hybrid is written by Archana Verma Singh. The Revival of the Hybrid Exploring Jhumpa Lahiri’s interpreter of Maladies as short story cycle in this research there are interlinked short stories in which many of the short stories which lie in between the novel and thus short story shares characteristics of both literary genres that are novel and short stories. Jhumpa Lahiri’s collection of nine short stories which can also say to be a short story cycle. These short stories depict the lives of Bengali Indians settler and their struggle to survive in a separate world. (Singh, 2004).
Sensory siege dromocolonisation slow violence and poetic realism in the twenty first century short story from Gaza by Isabelle Hesse. .Sensory siege dromo-colonisation slow violence, and poetic realism in the 21ST century short story from Gaza In this short story writer describe the situation of Gaza .The story surrounded around the normality of life in Gaza .In Gaza there is full of violence and disturbance by Israeli’s. Gaza is still facing a lot of challenges during this war against peace and terrorism. The story shows the brutality and cruelty of Israel’s upon Gaza. (Hesse, 2016).These short stories analyze the themes while current research focuses on picking the elements of setting in the given short stories.
Symbols in William Faulkner’s short story “A Rose for EMILY”.A Semiotic approach written by Eka Wilani A Rose of Emily is a short story tells about the detail story that has in Emily’s life and an odd relationship with her father ,her boyfriend and her terrible secret that she was hiding. Place in which it happens author use description of landscape, scenery buildings, seasons or weather to provide strong sense of setting in the short story. (Wilani, 2016).
The image of heroic figures in the story of Ahraj Ya bud by Wardah alHudhud an analytical study. The article investigates the images of heroic figures in Rawadah al Hudhud’s short story. The plot of the story whose setting is placed in Palestine and which occurred between 1920. (Hudhud, 2016). In this short story, the plot has been discussed whose setting is placed in Palestine, but in current research stories takes place specifically in Pakistan.
Animals, emperors, Senses: exploring a story –based learning design in a Museum Setting written by Mai Murmann and Lucy Avraamidou . The aim of this qualitative research is to explore the use of stories as a basic tool within formal and informal learning environment. In this research researcher highlight the design of short stories that how short stories are manipulated in order to fulfill the learning aspects.(Murmann and Avraamidou, 2013). Literary geography and the short story: setting and narrative style written by Sheila hones this research article deals with setting and style of the writer that he engage the reader towards his writing in order to get attention of the reader. (Hones, 2010).
This research is qualitative in nature as it includes the description of short stories. Following are the textual features which will be taken into account .These are as follows:-reference of time or date in which your story takes place, it includes the names of the characters or appearances of the characters which means that the way in which they are performing, description of the costume, references to the events, description of occupation in which story is being performed or it is being created and lastly it includes the surroundings or atmosphere. The results of quantitative research are always descriptive and furthermore, in this research it is also descriptive because it involves element of short stories which is Setting.
CHAPTER 3
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This research used descriptive and qualitative method for analysis of the short stories. Basically qualitative research is used to identify or demonstrates the things in detail. It includes a detailed explanation of the situation under a specific topic.In order to analyze the element of setting in the selected short stories the descriptive research is utilized and found helpful in interpreting the data which encourages the researcher to discuss the situation more clearly and completely.
Following are the essential features which will be taken by the researcher in order to highlight the elements of setting in the given short stories. These include, Reference of time, which means that when the story is build, Reference of date which means where the story takes place, Appearance of certain characters including antagonist and protagonist, Details of costume which means that what sort of dressing they are wearing and lastly it also includes the description of location which means that in which type of atmosphere the story is built? What sort of surrounding did he take for creating his masterpiece?
According to Merriam Webster, a short story is usually shorter than a novel and it deals with the few of the characters very wisely by keeping certain things in mind. It concentrates on the mood of the story willingly than a plot. The short story usually deals with the single effect delivered in some of the episodes or scenes. It includes the interest of the reader whether he or she is willing to complete it in one sitting or not? Short Story depicts the reality of life in a very cohesive and coherent manner.
The Story is a brief sort of fiction prose basically a description that is shorter than a novel and that usually concerned with only a few characters present in a state. A short story includes the element of plot, climax, which means that rise and fall of action, characterization includes certain types of characters through which a good story or we can say that a story established.
According to Dinnen, elements of short stories (Dineen.k, 2003) he says that the elements of short stories according to his point of view are consists of 1.Theme 2.Setting 3.Characterization, which includes action performed by them 4.Plot including rising and falling action and lastly all short stories have certain elements of Exposition. These elements of short stories are briefly discussed below:-
Themes are the basically central idea of any short story without themes we can never build a story. Similarly, Setting is among the crucial elements of short stories which involves the physical atmosphere as mentioned above that when, why and how the story is built. Characterization includes the characters they are the people in the short story and furthermore, they act in a story in order to reveal the truths related to their own personalities.
Plot is the arrangement of your story that how accurately you plot your story? It consists of exposition which gives proper beginning to a story. There is rising action when there is a full action in a story. Secondly, it includes conflicts within the characters and furthermore, climax is the reveal of truth towards audience and lastly falling action arises which surely enhance the attachment of the readers. The researcher is going to highlight the element of Setting in a given Pakistani short stories According to Ms. Engram’s (Ms. Engram's, n.d.) setting is the time and place in which a story takes place. Sometimes it is important to some extent, but while for others it is not important. The important features of short stories are as under:- a) Place: Where your story is build? b) Time: It includes the time in which your story starts, for example, time of day, month, and year. It matters a lot. c) Weather conditions: In which weather conditions your story is build. It includes the weather scenario. d) Social conditions: Does the social conditions of the stories really suits the setting of the short stories.
3.1 Delimitations
The study is delimited to the analysis of five short stories by Pakistani writers. The stories are as follows:
- Zoo by Tariq Rehman
- Nawabdin electrition by Daniyal Mueenuddin
- Maa by Zaib-un-Nisa Hamidullah
- The Note Book by Tahira Naqvi
- The Spell and the ever changing Moon by Ruksana Ahmed
3.2 Theoretical framework
The theoretical framework the researcher has selected has made by ‘‘Edgar Allan Poe.” As per he in the hour of perusal the spirit of the reader is at the author’s control. There are no outer or extraneous effects coming about because of weariness and intrusion. In this statement Poe has given us the two basic characteristics of short stories that how they became true? The truth is very necessary in any short stories because it gives strength to a story. A person should listen or read the story until his flow has broken and furthermore the story lacks cohesive and coherent. According to his statement the definition of a short story is derived which is that a short story is known as a short or brief tale that can be listening, told and writes in one single setting without any interruption. Its physical appearances and setting is demonstrates by the writer in such a way that it achieves the reader’s interest and furthermore, which forces him to must read it in a one sitting. Poe’s is clearly talking about the setting of a short story which immense the reader’s interest and furthermore, he also set an idea that how the reader’s mind is enhanced while reading and listening to a short story.
The researcher is doing this research to highlight the salient features of the use of setting in short stories and furthermore, the researcher wants to analyze the setting in Pakistani short stories and furthermore the researcher wants to understand the learners about the salient features of short stories. The research itself can open up a new area to explore and studying the short stories which help the students in their reading and writing skills.
This study will give a chance to understand the setting of Pakistani fiction. This research will help the students to study the Pakistani context as well as Pakistani literature. Students can gain benefit from this study by focusing on Pakistani fiction in order to highlight the basic element of a short story which is setting. This research could help the learners to establish their reading and learning skills and furthermore, such a research could help people to enhance their mental capabilities.
The setting is among the key elements of short stories which contribute immensely to the presentation of the narrative. The article is very simple in structure; it explains and demonstrates the reader that how it could be useful to understand that what the basic purpose of reading short stories is? Keeping in view the basic elements of a short stories, including conflict, plot and the theme, researcher find out the crucial element which is setting. Setting plays a vital role in to capture or catch the audience attention. Stories play a vital role in the growth and development of children and students. The books they read and the characters they get to know can become like friends in their perceptions. It’s also good for them to understand that books are a useful source of information and that good reading skills are important for success in their future lives and furthermore, reading also helps them to boost their confidence levels.
This research is different because researcher is focusing on the element of setting in the short stories and the stories are from Pakistani literature. Five short stories by renowned writers have been taken. This work aims to study setting specifically in Pakistani English short stories and furthermore, the more significant of this study is focuses on the short stories of five Pakistani writers.
CHAPTER 4
DATA ANALYSIS
Five Pakistani short stories have been taken with respect to qualitative method. This work aims to study specifically Pakistani short stories. The aim of this data analysis is to answer the research questions made by researchers and to accomplish the research objectives that are set. The researcher is going to highlight the salient features of Setting in the given short stories. The research is quantitative in manner and researcher is doing qualitative research. Five short stories have been taken for this purpose of data analysis as researcher is going to highlight the element of setting in these short stories. The Setting is considered to be the crucial element of any short story. In a story setting indicates the time and place where the story takes place. It is not false to say that story is basically the framework for a story which you want to create. The data analysis of this research is as follows:-
a) The first story is “ZOO” by Tariq Rehman in this short story, Mr. Tariq Rehman was amazed from the view of the zoo and he depicted it in the story. He was very disturbed from the physical and financial conditions of the zoo and furthermore, he is trying to give suggestions. He was also pointed towards the government as they weren't paying attention in concerning the maintenance of the zoo. The government of Pakistan was not generous in giving funds to the zoo of Lahore. In the second paragraph, line number one (Rehman, 2010, p. 22) “The next few months were very busy at the zoo as the outlandish Austrian firm created the appropriate landscape for different types of animals.’’ In this line writer said about the landscape of the zoo that the Australian firm created properly solid cages for different types of animals in the zoo, according to their likes and dislikes which enhanced the beauty of the zoo as well. In the next lines of the same paragraph, (Rehman, 2010, p.22) ‘‘by the end of the summer there were verdant green grasslands for the antelopes, the deer the bison and the zebras. ” In this line writer was talking about the atmosphere of the zoo that during the summer season there is enough grass for animals to eat and furthermore, he added that it enhanced the beauty of cages as well ..In the above two example writer was trying to catch the attention of the reader by telling the landscape and atmosphere of the zoo, although both of them are considered to be the essential element of the setting. In the third paragraph, last lines (Rehman, 2010, p.24) “After all, now the Governor had another place besides the Badshahi Mosque and his own palace to take foreign dignitaries to.” In these lines writer said that Governor lived besides the Badshahi mosque situated in city Lahore, he was pointing towards the exact location or we can say that place of the Governor house where he took the foreigners along with him as there was meeting held in Lahore. In the last paragraph, lines (Rehman, 2010, p.25) such as “Fatima turned to go. She was thinking of her room where the sun would never shine nor would the stars be ever visible. The sun sets in the splendor of fiery gold and dark red but by the time they got on the bus it was dark. She sat between two women thinking about the stars which would be twinkling at the monkeys.” In these lines there is a complete description of time, place and weather which are considered to be the crucial element in setting of the short story. He was concluding the story in such away by saying that Fatima was really upset while leaving the zoo she was thinking about her room which was quiet upset her feelings that she could never see the brightness of sun and shine of stars at night and furthermore, in the next line that the sun sets and the night were full of darkness when they entered in the buses. She sat between the two women and she was continually thinking about the stars which would be blinking towards the cages of monkey. She felt quiet distress. So in these lines writer truly demonstrates the focus of the reader by telling them the weather, time and place.
b)Second story is “ Nawabdin Electrician” by Daniyal Mueenuddin in this story, writer was talking about the personal story of Nawabdin.He was very honest in his profession and furthermore, this story truly depicts the life of common man live in Pakistan and he was suffering a lot. In the first paragraph, line number four (Mueenuddin, 2009, p.30) “In this Pakistan desert, behind Multan where the tube wells ran day and night’’. In this statement writer was telling that Nawabdin belonged to Pakistan city Multan and furthermore, he added that in this city the tube well ran day and night which means that this area is famous for agricultural point of view. Basically the writer wanted to describe the complete description of the character in order to enhance the story and in addition to this it is truly said that this story has written by a Pakistani writer who wrote under the influence of Pakistani content. He wanted to attach the readers by telling them about their country. Description of place is mentioned in the above lines which are meant to be the key element of a short story. In the sixth paragraph, of this story from the very beginning (Mueenuddin, 2009, p.32) “Nawab ate first then the girls and finally his wife. He sat out in the little courtyard, burping and smoking a cigarette, looking up at the crescent moon just coming onto the horizon. I wonder what the moon is made of.” In these lines writer said that Nawabdin was a poor man who haven’t enough money to manage his family needs .He worked hard from day to night and after returning from his laborer job he bought some food items for his kids which he and his daughters ate first and lastly his wife took that meal and furthermore, writer was pointing towards the economic crises faced by Nawabdin.He was so upset that he went towards the courtyard where he felt relaxed in smoking cigarette .He was busy in noticing the crescent moon carefully and in addition to this a sense of relaxation was appear in his minds this was a place where he was free from the society circumstances.
These lines depicted the life of Nawabdin and furthermore, writer was pointing towards the characterization of the story which is meant to be the element of setting in a short story. In the eight paragraph, line number one ( Mueenuddin, 2009, p.34) “One evening a few weeks after his family’s little festival of sugar, Nawab was sitting with the watchman who kept the stores at Dunyapur.’’In these lines writer is demonstrating towards the festival of harvesting in the village where Nawab was sitting with the watchman. He was worried about his crop of sugarcane and furthermore, he wanted to sell his sugar. Actually, he wanted to get profit from the sugar cane crop. In the next paragraph number nine (Mueenuddin,2009, p.35) “Though the spring weather had come, the watchman still burnt a fire in a tin pan, to warm his feet and to give a center to the little group that gathered there .The electricity had failed’ as it often did.’’ In these lines writer said that spring weather had come, but the watchman was still feeling wintry so, that’s why he burnt a pan to keep him warm. In the last line of this paragraph, where the writer was pointing towards the serious issue of Pakistan that is electricity and moreover, he added that this issue will never solve. In these lines after telling about the weather writer was pointing towards the serious issue of energy crises which is still going on in Pakistan in addition to this it is not false to say that the writer truly depicts the situation of Pakistan. In the above lines writer was indicating towards the weather and circumstances of Pakistan, which are very helpful in creating sets of short story.
c) Third story is “Maa” by Zaib-un-Nissa Hamidullah in this short story Pakistani female writer was telling about the story of every mother that how she bears a lot for her children. In this short story her name was Naz.In the second paragraph, line number one (Hamiddullah, 2007, p.44) “Tossing in the bed, terrified, he cried out in his agony. And the hushed house suddenly resounded with the one word, Maa! Again, it was repeated, and then again and yet again.” In these lines writer was indicating that in Pakistan children used to call their mothers Maa and furthermore, he was saying that there was an alarming situation in the room. A sense of doomed to failure arose in the room which is quite unbearable. In the ninth paragraph, (Hamidullah, 2007, p.45) “His son winced and went quickly into the patient’s room. Going up to the bed, he looked down for a brief moment at his father’s face, flabby, ugly, but somehow infinitely pathetic in his agony and helplessness. Then building back up his tears, he went quickly out. ‘I’m going to bring grandmother, he told the group. And without even waiting for a reply, he went quickly down the stairs and out of the house.” In these lines writer was saying about the misery of characters that how they are helpless and suffered a lot. In a short story, it is also demonstrated as a climax of the story and furthermore, it is the highest point where characters felt depression. If this point is associated to the Setting of a story so it is not false to say that, if we haven’t Climax we are unable to build a proper story. In the tenth paragraph, (Hamidullah, 2007,p.46) “But already they had reached the city. She could tell this by the grayness of the atmosphere and the filth that lay everywhere. And, as she looked up at the tall, grimy buildings and the watched the busy, bustling city traffic, the old woman grew afraid”. In these lines writer was telling about the setting of the story that there was a very pitiable condition in this part of the story and furthermore, in the next lines he declared that there were buildings and a noise of traffic which frightened the old woman .In these lines writer told the circumstances of the story which is quite unbearable and awful.
d) Fourth story is “The Note Book by Tahira Naqvi”.Tahira Naqvi is a famous Pakistani writer and teacher as well and furthermore, she is a senior lecturer at Columbia University. In this story she is writing about the domestic life. Basically, this story is all about the innocent women who were trapped in an unhappy marriage life. In the fifth paragraph, (Naqvi, 2005, p.96) “Salma’s husband wanted her to start putting the daily accounts in it.Begins today and put down everything you give the washer-man, the sabziwallah, anything else you get, like massalas or fruit. Don’t leave out even a pause. You are spending too much and not keeping an eye on anything” In these lines writer was using Urdu words, for example sabziwallah and massalas in this paragraph the usage of these words would attract the readers and moreover, this would also help them to understand the mother language of Pakistan. It is also stated in these lines that character Salma was tortured by her husband .He was very strict to her. He stated in this paragraph that Salma you are wasting my money in households materials and in addition to this he was saying his wife squanderer. Although it is not true she looks after the house. In these lines writer was focusing on the characterization related to the setting of the short story. In the sixth paragraph, (Naqvi, 2005, p.119) “She started in her name. Like the sudden flash of lightning in a dark, silent night, a couplet from a famous poem jumped into her head.’’
It is a heart, not a stone or a brick,
Why then should it not well up with pain?
In these lines writer was saying that character Salma usually wrote all his routine in the notebook and moreover, whenever she felt the pain she used to read her notebook and moreover, her condition was quite awful. She always used to write verses of her own poetry. In the next two lines in her couplet writer shows her pain and misery. In the seventh paragraph, (Naqvi, 2005, p.113) “When she stood on the veranda she tried to think of an excuse. But instead one word, then a phrase, then a line, then two, a couplet crowded thoughts so that she had no control over her this deluge that filled her head like a river in flood.
“I had longed for glowing radiance
For a ray of light in darkness
I had tried to conquer the storm,
To seek a shore beyond every wave.’’
In this paragraph writer was talking about the place “Veranda” Urdu word usually an outside area where people sit. In her verses she said that she suffered a lot .She was telling that she faced many problems and she tried a lot to bear all circumstances regarding her marriage life. Actually, she was unhappy with her husband, which was clearly depicted in her poetry. In the ninth paragraph,(Naqvi, 2005, p.114) the writer was saying that “Walking past him she stopped to pick up, one by one, the torn, crumbled, soiled pages, and placed them between the crackled, twisted covers of the notebook’’. These lines tell the readers that whenever Salma read her notebook her eyes suddenly burst into tears. The things which were in the notebook basically they were her reflection of the past. Bad memories as well as good ones were also mentioned in it. Salma’s condition is mentioned in the above paragraph which is related to the element of setting in a short story as it demonstrates the description of the character.
e) Fifth story is “The Spell and the Ever –Changing Moon by Rukhsana Ahmad.’’This story is about the housewife and her domestic responsibilities as mother.Pakistani female writers usually write on this topic and moreover, in this short story he truly depicts the woman of Pakistan. .In the second paragraph,(Ahmed, 2006, p.56) “She tucked at the burqa round her shoulder as if afraid of being recognized through its thin georgette veil and the black silky folds that cloaked her neat, compact little figure.’’ In these lines it is mentioned that character Nisa was trying to hide herself with the burqa. ,“Burqa’’ a Pakistani cloth which is used in order to cover yourself from head to feet .In Muslim countries, females use to wear it publicly. These lines clearly identify the clothing of character Nisa which is meant to be a part of setting in a short story. In the third paragraph, (Ahmed, 2006, p.52) “Just as Zarina had said, it stood at the end of the kutchi abadi. A small house, one of the few here which were brick built.’’In these lines writer was pointing towards the exact location i.e. is “Kutchi abadi.’’Location was mentioned in these lines and moreover, location is considered as an ingredient in setting. In the fourth paragraph,(Ahmed, 2006, p.57) “She remember hearing about distant foreign lands where it was customary to paints portraits of saints, a practice she knew was definitely blasphemous, and she hastily touched her ears inwardly in a gesture of pardon the Touba, Touba, thought forgiveness.’’ In these lines character Nisa was saying the Urdu word as a gesture of forgiveness Touba, Touba which means that Allah forgive me .The use of language truly indicates the setting of short story if it is related to mothertongue.’’In the fifth paragraph, (Ahmed, 2006, p.60) “In all her twenty – six years she had never been so shocked by what she had heard or seen. In these lines time period was mentioned related to the setting of a short story. In the sixth paragraph,(Ahmed, 2006, p.63) “The mental picture of Chachi Nuggo’s massive breasts flashed in her mind and the thought of the Chachaji on top of her embarrassed her even as she remembered it now, almost ten years later.’’ In these lines word like “Chachaji and Chachi’’are used in Urdu language. Writer used these kinds of words in order to enhance the attachment of readers towards the Pakistani content. In the seventh paragraph, (Ahmed, 2006, p.64) “Every time someone had come to visit her from her hometown, Sialkot, she had kept up appearances quite well. But she hadn’t been able to hide the truth from her neighbors.’’ In these lines city of Pakistan “Sialkot’’ was mentioned which shows the location of a story. In setting of a short story it is very important that you should know the time and place where your story is performed. In the ninth paragraph, (Ahmed, 2006, p.64) “She wondered how much pain it took, how much courage, to pollute a man’s cup of tea or a glass of sherbet. She watched Hameed’s lips pressed against the glass of water and shivered. ‘‘In these lines writer was again using the Urdu word “Sherbat’’ a drink use in summer or we can say that sort of refreshment. Language plays an important in setting of a short story by the use of certain Urdu language words in the story clearly shows that it is a Pakistani content. In the eleventh paragraph, (Ahmed, 2006, p.67) “I’m going to my mother’s house, APPA’’ she said. “I’m taking Zafar with me.I think they will not turn away. If nothing else, I can wash dishes and cook. If Hameed cannot keep Safia and Karim then let him dump in Sialkot as well.’’ In these lines Rukhsana Ahmad was pointing towards the place which is Nisa’s mother's house and city Sialkot and furthermore, character names like Zafar, Hameed, Safia and Karim were mentioned. Zafar, Safia and Karim were Nisa’a kids and Mr. Hameed was her husband. She was saying that she left her kids with a husband named Hameed and furthermore, he had to look after them.
CHAPTER 5
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Setting in a short story is considered as an essential element. If we haven’t proper setting than we haven’t built a good story. A good short story is built with the help of plot, themes, characterization and setting. The setting is considered as a fundamental element of a short story. In this research, researcher has found the element of setting in Pakistani five short stories written by renowned Pakistani writers. The setting of a short story is basically defined as time and place and furthermore, if you want to engage the reader with your story, then you must have a proper setting otherwise you lose the attachment of the reader. The setting has also strong impacts on the characters and events. The short story as a genre of literature which was emerging in the 17th century. The researcher has found several examples of setting in five Pakistani short stories. These examples are related to the element of setting in the short story and furthermore, these examples are related to the time and place that is when and where are your characters and what does that have to do with the story you want to tell to the readers? The researcher has to answer this question that what is the role of Setting in Pakistani short stories? So, it is concluded that the researcher has found the answer of this question by picking up many examples related to the element of setting in a short story. The accomplishment of the researcher has achieved by focusing on Pakistani content related to the element of setting in short stories and moreover, researcher feels proud in working on a research paper which is related to her own country. People of Pakistan generally avoid their own literature so researcher put an effort to engage the Pakistani people towards their own literature and moreover, the recommendations of this research paper is to read Pakistani content and then explore certain elements in that. The current study has explored this area which is element of setting on the other hand, there’s enough area for the future researcher to explore. The future studies can explore areas such as elements of plot, time and characterization including climax, conflict. Furthermore they also work on any genre of literature such as novel, drama etc.
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