21st Century Urdu Short Story: A Narrative of Psychological Anguish

Abstract

The human of the twenty-first century appears on the surface to be a representative of progress, convenience, and a fast-paced life, yet his inner world seems more fragmented and restless than ever before. In this era of material success, loneliness, insecurity, social pressure, and relentless competition have profoundly affected the human mind. As a result, mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, psychological confusion, identity crisis, and a sense of isolation are rapidly increasing, leaving deep imprints on human personality and behaviour.Urdu literature, and in particular the short story, has emerged as a deeply meaningful expression of this changing psychological condition. In the twenty-first century Urdu short story, characters are seen struggling not only with external circumstances but also with the internal collapse of their own inner selves. Short story writers, presenting the complexities of human consciousness, mental disorders, and inner conflict through symbolic and psychological narrative, acquaint the reader with the true reality of modern man.This research paper will examine the diverse aspects of psychological anguish as portrayed in the twenty-first century Urdu short story.