Psychological Analysis of the Female Characters in "Aangan"

Abstract

Khadija Mastoor has written only two novels, “Aangan” and “Zameen”. But her novel “Aangan” is enough to keep her alive forever in the world of Urdu fiction. Among the female characters of “Aangan”, Aalia, Tehmina, Karim Bua Chhammi, and Najma are especially noteworthy. Aalia is the main character of this novel, the entire story seems to revolve around her. Khadija Mastur has used the narrative technique in this novel. Among these characters, Tehmina is the only character who is seen in traditional dress. Despite loving Safdar, she dies of suffocation but could not express her love. Apart from this, all the characters are seen demanding an account of the injustice of men for centuries. Aalia's mother's role is that of a traditional mother. She made the life of Safdar miserable and was forced to leave home. Aalia's father considered him like a son, but even if he wanted to, he could not get Tehmina married to Safdar. Due to Aalia's mother's misbehavior, he did not return after going to Aligarh for education. Despite being the owner of the house, his father was afraid of Aalia's mother. After the end of the land tenure, the lady also sent the share of the property that she had received to her brother. She was so strict that she did not allow her husband to stay at home. As soon as he entered the house, she would start shooting arrows of sarcasm, so she was left with only the activities outside the house. She did not like her husband's participation in politics and struggle against the British. She considered the British as a source of mercy and always sang their praises, so this article focusses on the female characters of “Aangan”.