Mythic Consciousness in the Fiction of Khalida Hussain: A Critical Study

Abstract

In Khalida Hussain’s fiction, symbolism is used in a way that subtly hides mythological nuances. A careful reading of her short stories shows that this concealment is deliberate and purposeful. Beneath Qur’anic references and Isra’ili traditions exists a vast and profound realm of meaning enriched with mythic depth. Although she does not openly narrate myths or legendary tales, their significance remains woven into the symbolic layers of her writing. She derives her symbols from everyday life and the universe, using them to communicate deeper and more complex meanings. By selecting words and events rooted in cultural and civilizational experiences, she creates an atmosphere where an underlying mythic tone colors the entire narrative. While divine figures do not appear directly in her stories, hints of divinity and mythic echoes are present in the characters and elements of the world around them. With great skill, she blends these scattered shades into a vibrant, multi-layered whole. The sense of concealment remains, and this very subtlety becomes a distinctive source of artistic beauty in her work.