2022

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A comparative view of morphological processes in English and Urdu languages
(UMT, Lahore, 2022) ZUNAIRA KHAN
This study is aimed to determine the differences and similarities existing between Urdu and English with respect to the morphological processes. This study uses Contrastive Theory, proposed by Robert Lado (1957), which says that every two languages do share some common morphological phenomena, despite being unique in individuality. The morphological phenomena which are being discussed in the study includes coinage, alternation, backformation, affixation, clipping, borrowing, blending, acronym, reduplication and compounding. The study is descriptive in nature while the data collection is qualitative. From the data analysis, it is being discovered that Urdu and English shares many common morphological processes while there are some which can only be seen in one language. i.e, Urdu doesn't involve the participation of acronym, and blending while these two can be seen largely involved in the morphology of English. This study used as a source for obtaining information regarding the two-target language or as a guide for learning about the linguistics of Urdu and English comparatively. This study can also be used as a template for making a comparative analysis regarding the morphology of Urdu and English. The last part of the study includes the recommendations regarding how one can overcome the problems in the line of second language learning.
A critical race theory analysis of the vanishing half
(UMT, Lahore, 2022) Umar Hasnain
This study aims to debunk the myth of racism and political attitude toward Afro Americans in the novel the Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet. The gap that this research aims to fill is how the political powers in America discriminate against the Black people and want to continue this distinction and how suppression leads to violence and makes a person rebellious. This study suggests viewing race and identity’s complexity through the lens of critical race theory by Kimberlee Williams Crenshaw. The main objective of this research is to focus on the power imbalances and political attitudes of America toward Afro-Americans. The Vanishing Half suggests that racial identity can also be influenced by much more than a person’s skin color. Throughout history, Afro-Americans have a quest for their new identities because as dark-skinned people in a white country, they are not allowed to maintain their birth identities. They suffer a lot because of their color like in the novel, Mallard is a town where only dark-skinned people live. There are no white-skinned people in this town which is an attestation of racialism. In the entire novel, racial discrimination, Political attitudes, and the struggle for identity have been portrayed. The four main characters of the novel Desiree, Stella, Jude, and Kennedy are constantly struggling for identity and describing racial discrimination. Hence, the purpose of this research is to reveal and eradicate the indifferences among the people.
A feminist approach to the handmaid’s tale
(UMT, Lahore, 2022) Abeera Arshad Awan
The Handmaid’s Tale, a feminist text by Margret Atwood tackles the dystopian attitudes of the republic of Gilead. It divulges gender disparity, the dwindling value of women, and women’s subordination by other females in modern society. The novel is about the women who are forced to produce children with the commanders. Their role is just to raise children and after the birth of one child, they are allocated to another family or another commander to start the process of Handmaid all over again. The novel actually emphasizes the atrocities and strict laws of hierarchies of the totalitarian state of Gilead. Religious rights force people to follow rules and regulations. Women are just viewed as an object of fertility. This research aims to unveil the brutal face of the phallocentric system and the Feminist approach will be applied to deeply analyze women’s suffering. Feminism is an approach that raises the issues of gender discrimination, sexuality, women’s identity crisis, and equality of basic rights. Women were always treated as slaves and their role is to be submissive women in the past and in the modern era as well. Because we see various incidents today where women are victimized by their families and other men in society. Young girls are getting harassed by men. Physical abuse of women is still happening as it happened to the women of Gilead in the novel. Women’s role in some areas of our society is still to raise children but we should diminish slavery and provide equality to women in every field. So, the main objective of this study is to illustrate female abomination in the Modern era and how this issue could be tackled because it’s our responsibility to allow women to lead a peaceful life with balanced human rights.
A feminist reading of the scarlet letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
(UMT, Lahore, 2022) Muhammad Wahaj Abid
This study deals with the analysis of “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne. Its aim is to throw light on how a woman has to toil hard to stabilize her identity in a male-dominated society. This paper is an effort to apprehend the various elements of feminism portrayed in this novel. The protagonist, Hester Prynne, is a powerful example of a woman coping with social, economic, and political obstacles to survive in Puritan society. Feminism theory is used to view and analyze the life of Hester Prynne in the selected text. This theory will help assess the ups and downs in the life of a woman who had committed adultery in the wake of the hypocrisy of Puritan society. Her alienation has resulted in difficulties to begin her life in a new phase along with her daughter, Pearl. In a male-dominated society, her identity is on the verge of destruction. However, the same society witnesses how the fight of a woman, in an environment where she is alienated, leads her to new glories. Through all the hurdles and humiliation, the woman becomes a symbol of glory and compassion. The determination and hard work of many years make her a legendary example of feminism.
A Marxist introspection of Pakistan army’s appearance versus reality in Pervez Musharraf’s in the line of fire
(UMT, Lahore, 2022) HAMAIL ALI
The aim of the dissertation is to explore Marxism in Pervez Musharraf’s In the Line of Fire. The objective of the research is to substantiate appearance versus reality of a soldier’s life in the Pakistani Army through Marxism. It reflects the Marxist production of labor and product in the form of a Pakistani army cadet. The study highlights the formation of a soldier portrayed by the illustrious instance of a potter going about his work. The primary tool of research for the study is General Pervez Musharraf’s memoir, “In the Line of Fire”. Marxism by Karl Marx forms the secondary tool of research. The significance of the paper is to manifest in its analytical delineation of the memoir as a testimony for Marxist strands in the mechanics of inception of the Pakistani army. Furthermore the research tends to explore a new perspective around In the Line of Fire which has not been deconstructed and critically analyzed in terms of Marxism. Future researchers can explore Existentialism in the memoir.
A post- colonial exegesis of re-constructing African and Pakistani landscape of ‘digital aesthetic arts’
(UMT, Lahore, 2022) Fajar Hassan
The apparent end of colonialism and colonial empire ignited the new scope and trend that revolves around the edifice of post-colonialism, post-colonial literature or post-colonial studies. The pressing memories that are stamped on the psyche of once colonized population are voiced out by post-colonial countries.” The notion of post-colonialism takes its inherent roots from colonialism and studies the after effects of response and resistance to the legacy of colonizers” (Arora).This dissertation will however demonstrate- how Media studies have expanded significantly above and beyond from few past decades and how with the invention of mediascape, post-colonial theories are inculcated with media theory making it a ‘Post-colonial media theory’ for re-politicizing Western assumptions (Saglier and Rodriguez). With the help of Qualitative research, the gaps in this research paper will be filled bringing a new approach and study area for future researchers. A comparative analysis will be applied to this study of digital aesthetic art that how Black Africans and Pakistani Muslims moved way past the active resistance and are displaying ‘Passive resistance ‘with the help of post-colonial screen literature. Taking three distinct yet somewhat aligned areas( sports anthems/songs, content creators/ influencers and advertisements/commercials) into consideration the study will explore the focal point of discrimination which both the ethnicities have faced from centuries till this modern ear. Although the shadow of colonialism doesn’t let us forget the image of ‘other’ and ‘racial discrimination’ even in a post-colonial setting but through electronic/mass media’s resisting practices we will be able to locate the ways to somehow eradicate these prevalent practices.
A psychoanalytical study of Elif Shafak’s the forty rules of love in the shades of Sufism
(UMT, Lahore, 2022) Kumail Abbas
To unravel the true self, one has to face the inner darkness and wildness with complete control of nafs or ego. This paper investigates the role of nafs or ego in Sufism and its involvement in the famous novel The Forty Rules of Love written by a British-Turkish novelist, Elif Shafak. Elif Shafak has beautifully portrayed the themes of love, connections, and humanity under the shade of Sufism. Shafak digs out truths about humanity through the perspective of realising the truth of self. The novel's characters struggle to find their authentic, meaningful lives. Sufism gives a person reason to love himself and all of God's other creatures. To find consolation, one has to accept the flaws of personality, which is done by facing the inner secrets of self. The paper is limited to analysing how Sufism leads the characters to a fight in which they have to find their desires of the true self by nullifying their ego or by taking control over their nafs. The process of adopting control over nafs and repressing Id's desires require a lot of sacrifices that the novel's characters pay in different shapes. The research aims to discover the psychological backdrop of the characters of Elif Shafak's The Forty Rules of Love and the process of finding the true self by controlling the ego.
A study of liberal feminism and gender stereotypes in Mohsin Hamid's exit west
(UMT, Lahore, 2022) Shehzil Abid
This research deals with the portrayal of gender stereotypes in Mohsin Hamid's famous novel "Exit West". This research has focused on the problems faced by men and women in the patriarchal society. It highlights the importance of women's empowerment. The typical notions associated with gender and culture that suppress women and give power to men are denied. The selected novel shows the gender stereotypes in society and how they affect the lives of both men and women. Some principles of society affect women and men also because, according to those principles, women and men have no right to freedom; they cannot move freely from one place to another. Women, in general, are not allowed to live alone. As Betty Friedan discusses the themes of femininity and gender stereotypes in The Feminine Mystique, the researcher has used it as a tool to analyze the novel Exit West. This theoretical framework has discussed the gender stereotypes and causes of unhappiness dating back in the 1950s and 1960s, but they are still applicable to the present day. Even in this era, most women are unhappy due to the same reasons, and it is also affecting the lives of men to whom they are connected. This research also deals with the western liberal ideologies of feminism that are empowering but also shattering the culture and gender stereotypes. Furthermore, the main characters in the selected text define the gender stereotypes that affect their life.
A transcendental analysis of Elif Shafak’s the forty rules of love and Paulo Coelho’s the alchemist
(UMT, Lahore, 2022) Nafeesa Abdul sattar
This study aims to explore the essence of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s ideas of Transcendentalism in Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist and Elif Shafak's The Forty Rules of Love. After having recurrent dreams about treasure in the Egyptian pyramids for several nights, Santiago, the protagonist of The Alchemist, embarks on an expedition in search of it. He is eager to discover true happiness in his life. On his journey, he learned many crucial life lessons from a mentor, fell in love, and transformed himself into a someone different person. Like Ella Rubinstein, Shams of Tabriz, and Rumi, in The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak, they subsequently discover the genuine meaning of their lives. The journey of the benevolent affection between Shams of Tabriz and Rumi unfolds the spiritual mysteries of the soul and this universe. This research is conducted in the light of Ralph Waldo Emerson's Literary Theory of Transcendentalism, and it examines how the protagonists in both texts have overcome certain obstacles, challenges, and perils in order to discover their actual selves. Previously, significant work has been done on these texts separately, but here the researcher will investigate these specific texts in light of Emerson's concept of Over-Soul, personal growth and development, and the concept of God. The fact is that both novels are set in the same ages, with contrasting cultural, religious, moral, and societal values. Ralph Waldo Emerson holds a certain belief about God and thinks that there should be no third party between God and man and it should be a direct relationship between them.
An analysis of scared to death by Wendy Cousri Staub from the eyes of trauma theory
(UMT, Lahore, 2022) Hina Yousaf
The thesis aims to analyze the book Scared to death, written by Wendy Coursi Staub. The purpose of this thesis is to describe the representation of post-traumatic stress disorder in Staub's novel Scared to death by which the main characters of the novel get rehabilitated. The study focuses to find elements of post-traumatic stress disorder the novel’s characters, such as intrusive, avoidance, and arousal symptoms, as experienced differently by two major characters. The story of the novel works with two perfect strangers whose once perfect lives had been horribly destroyed by a long-lost kid, a frail strand of unexpected maternal hope, and mutual sadness. Those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, experience symptoms and treatments in various ways. In examining post-traumatic stress disorder and the methods for healing it, a descriptive qualitative research methodology and a cognitive perspective is utilized. The objective of this study is to help people understand the side-effetcts of trauma. Trauma can have a harmful consequence if it causes intrusive, emotional distance, or arousal symptoms after being exposed to it which results in post-traumatic stress disorder. However, before the problem becomes chronic, it must be treated. This thesis can contribute to education as a literary analysis, particularly for English and Literature Department students.
An ecofeminist analysis of Toni Morrison's beloved and Sula
(UMT, Lahore, 2022) Maheen Ali
This research aims to examine Toni Morrison's Beloved and Sula through an ecofeminism lens, destabilizing the cultural opposition of master-slave, white-black, male-female, and seeking the affinity of human domination over nature with male domination over its female counterpart. In this thesis it attempts to draw a parallel of male domination over the female body, where exploitation is a frequent theme. Although literature does not serve to overcome man-made problems, it can certainly create awareness of ecological wisdom to better understand the environment.Through her writings, Toni Morrison believes in preserving history to change the present to secure the future. Morrison's novel Sula and the Beloved shows the different perceptions of this relationship between man and nature and their complex reference to nature that led to their submissive nature and ability to survive the disaster and evil inflicted on them by the surrounding environment.All the female characters in both novels related to environmental suffering in the way or another. Ecofeminism tells us how women and nature are familiar with each other and the way both of them are suppressed and oppressed by the patriarchy in the same way both women and nature shows them self in their own ways. Eco feminists have challenged the patriarchal worldview and argued that the root cause of the abuses and oppression of people of color and the environment lies in solving problems.
An exegesis of hybrid identities in Arundhati Roy’s the ministry of utmost happiness
(UMT, Lahore, 2022) Usama Rafique
The aim of this thesis is to elaborate on the state of hybrid identities in the Ministry of Utmost Happiness. Throughout the novel, Arundhati Roy has sketched characters that are entangled in the dilemma of an identity crisis. These hybrid characters portray the theme of postcolonialism. A hybrid character has mixed features and is usually seemed to be marginalized from the rest of the community. The most prominent example of hybrid identity in this book is a Hijra. In the sub-continent, this category is used for transgender. The hybrid characters are considered inferior to the other members of their society. It is the reason that they are subjected to oppression and domestic violence. Their rights are usually usurped by the dominant members of the society. The study highlights how the suffering of hybrid identities in society leads back to the aftermath of colonialism. It will show how society discriminates against its individuals on the basis of gender and caste. These inferior individuals of the society pretend to look and behave like the superior members. This creates a dilemma and imbalance in the environment. However, the dynamic characters in the chosen text seem to struggle hard for attaining an independent identity and peace. These characters either mimic their role models or create a new world to practice their thoughts. Resultantly, the Khwabgah and Jannat Guest House and Funeral Services are formed to occupy these hybrid characters. It depicts how certain people or groups of individuals fail to enjoy a normal life and move to other regions for peace and respect. The theory of hybridity will be used to assess the elements of hybrid identities and the struggle of hybrid characters. Being an important part of postcolonialism, it will help relate the events of the book to the cruelty of the colonizers on the colonized nations.
An exegesis of traumatic experience of war on terror in the blind man’s garden by Nadeem Aslam
(UMT, Lahore, 2022) Anum Maqsood
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impacts of the war through the experiences of individuals who suffered as victims, lost their happiness and got transformed into dire individuals. This paper explores how trauma connects with the aggression that damages the people and the social interaction of individuals. It also uncovers the effects of ugly war, “War on terror”, that was left on the minds and hearts of people and its horrifying outcomes that came during the time of war. Trauma Theory will serve as the theoretical framework for this paper by Cathy Caruth. Aslam's The Blind Man's Garden provides the best fictional example for this purpose, depicting individuals traumatized by the prevailing fear and dealing with mental stress.
An exploration of trauma in Viola Davis’ finding me through Bessel van der Kolk’s trauma
(UMT, Lahore, 2022) Mahnoor Syed
This study aims to be cognizant of the trauma the Africans experienced in the past and till today. The objective of this paper is to trace how the character of Viola Davis suffers trauma resulting from racism and how she copes with the physical as well as psychological disorders caused by it. This paper traces down the effects of bullying and harassment on people of color. In this context, Viola Davis' memoir, Finding Me, will be analyzed. Viola Davis' life is an embodiment of trauma caused to her because she is a black woman; a victim of “double” marginalization. Bessel Van Der Kolk’s trauma theory will be applied to this text. His theory states that Trauma is not something that happened back then, it is the current imprint of that pain, fear, living inside people. This theory will assist in understanding the effects of bullying and harassment on human beings in general. Qualitative analysis of Viola Davis’ book will pave the way towards a deeper understanding of misfortune, hardships and pain caused by racial discrimination to people of color. West has been a driving force in casting aspersions on Africans, resulting in their dehumanization. Colonization has deep seated roots in the lives of black people. The statement, ‘The West and the rest’ is also crucial in answering the questions of the why and how of the black people’s anguish. This study will unveil the atrocities done to the people of color and the trauma experienced by them. Researchers have analyzed many texts in order to give voice to African Americans’ subjugation but have not yet shed light on the memoir Finding Me. This study is significant because it will make the world aware of the biases present in our actions as well as to make future researchers speak up or give a voice to sufferings of subjugated people in general.
Analysis of islamophobia under critical race theory
(UMT, Lahore, 2022) SHAHZMEEN
This research paper investigates how the political abuse effect the minorities and operates racial prejudice and discrimination across the globe that result in Islamophobia. By highlighting a praetorian like Zia ul Haq, who is a leading example of how personal benefits can be gained by putting on the clock of Islam. A very famous journalist Muhamad Hanif give a deep insight about manipulative political hold of Zia ul haq in his novel a case of exploding mangoes where he narrates how Zia ul haq chase the freedom of his nation and treat his citizens as “free slaves” under his manipulative laws and policies in the name of benefiting Islam. The abusive political rule of Zia gave birth to racial oppression and discrimination that fetch hatred towards Muslim faith and cultural practices. In this context through the lens of critical race theory, the study analyzes racial biasness, oppression and discrimination which are the key factors to root islamophobia, in this context what are the views of American state towards of Islam what they think of Muslims cultural practices after the devastative scenario of 9/11 and how it influenced the people of two nations. Zia ul haq and western states are on same page both have thrust for attaining power by drawing the blood of slave “the minorities”. In this context undoubtable these political actors root islamophobia and racial hatred that discriminate races, identities and generations. The result of the study portrays possible ways to overcome these social ills, racial stereotypes and the existence of Phobia towards Islam as well as cultural belief system and practices of Muslims.
Ascertaining pessimistic post-modern man and society in the Netflix original series squid game
(UMT, Lahore, 2022) Iqra Butt
Squid Game is a popular Netflix original series created by Hwang Dong-hyuk that looks at a harsh fictionalized reality of a world where human beings are treated as disposable players chiefly for entertainment purposes. The series holds up a dark mirror of reality projecting extremism, survival, and lust for power and money through the players, treated as a capitalist commodity. The series explores how individuals attempt to make their lives significant enough by pursuing an ultimately worthless material-oriented life over which they have no control. The storyline revolves around the characters' desire to pay off their immense debts by jeopardizing their lives for the entertainment of the wealthy and sadistic elite. This research examines the degrading existential crisis of post-modern man and society in the context of Arthur Schopenhauers’ Pessimism. The pessimist attitude serves as a backdrop for physical and psychological enslavement. With its qualitative investigation, this study critically analyzes the text (i.e the show) while delving into the ideas of pessimism in relation to the exploited post-modern man's condition. The series is treated as a form of ‘text’ discussing underlying symbols, characters’ dialogues, insatiable suffering through action and is interdisciplinary with film studies (a structural-text based film analysis). The textual analysis of the series employs theoretical underpinnings of Arthur Schopenhauer’s ‘Pessimism’ as a framework, while majorly focusing on ‘desires’, ‘suffering’, ‘pain’, ‘boredom’ and ‘pessimist nihilism’. The implementation of these ideas is further visible in the deteriorating condition of the contemporary post-modern man depicted through the series. The modernization has brought with it a pessimist attitude that has contaminated the mindset, where humanity has been thrust towards achieving an absurd monetary goal that seems promising yet is ultimately futile.
Bilingualism as a teaching aid in language class at university level
(UMT, Lahore, 2022) Mahreem Yasin
The topic of study is bilingualism as a teaching aid in a language class at university level. It’s about usage of first language and mother language in language classroom and this is determining through the study that either using bilingual method of teaching is helpful for students or teachers both. Or what are the problems which they are facing while using bilingual mode of teaching in classroom. After the study the researcher came to know that bilingualism is helpful for both teachers and students. As student may understand easily though their first language and teachers are able to communicate their knowledge in better way to their students in their first language.
Binaries between reality and fiction through the lens of Chinua Achebe’s things fall apart and Jacques Derrida’s deconstruction
(UMT, Lahore, 2022) Shoaib Ali
Fiction seems good in the beginning as it is all about imagination about the things which cannot be done, in the real life and it seems fun in the beginning but things get worse when fiction starts to affect an individual’s life. Based on lies or without any certainty we start to put certain communities into the boxes where the whole community starts to suffer not just any individual. At first, no one was there to answer but in the form of resistance people started to raise their voices through their pens, and as a result, the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe was published Ali 5 which showed the world how full of culture they were, how human they were like everyone else in the world. He showed them all the good in themselves and even their flaws as well. This qualitative research deals with the problems caused to certain communities by those who wrote about them based on their certain viewpoint which was merely fiction. This research is done by using Jacques Derrida’s theory of deconstruction. It explores how English writers only portrayed the worst side of Africans so that they can justify their own cruel actions. So, through this research, I will be shedding light on the truth by comparing Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Falls Apart with the works of English writers with the help of Derrida’s concept of binaries. So that the opposite meaning of the texts can be explored by seeing the other side of the coin as well.
Borderless spaces
(UMT, Lahore, 2022) Sheeza Khan
The study is dedicated to examine borderless spaces are suppressed and how a space with boundaries, be it physical or abstract uses boundary as a tool to dominate and suppress the other. The study will focus on different forms of boundaries, imposed by external and internal forces in FATA tribal region that cause suppression with reference to The Wandering Falcon by Jamil Ahmad. The aim of the study is to highlight geographical boundaries defined and demarcated by states, use of political boundaries to impose power and domination on a borderless tribal space and also to focus on the cultural boundaries defined by tribal patriarchy that exploit and define the tribal women ultimately causing suppression. The purpose of the analysis is to show how a borderless space is most susceptible to suppression when there is imbalance and unhealthy boundaries. The study uses Gloria Anzaldua’s “Borderland Theory” for the critical analysis on in-between existence of tribal people of FATA on border and its impacts on the tribal region. The theory is employed to understand how different boundaries are shaped in order to impose, define and exploit the borderless space of FATA. Anzaldua’s concept of Borderland is essential for this study as it gives an insight into how an individual lacking both physical and personal space loses his/her identity, security and stability. The purpose of this study is to raise voice of the minorities of the Borderland that are suppressed due to hegemony and discrimination. The study is significant as it gives an insight into how lack of boundaries contributes to vulnerability and subjugation. The study will enable the readers to understand the importance of boundaries and its connection to identity, peace, stability and progress. The study will further pave way for the study of minority literature to explore more on border existence, identity crisis and suppression.
Challenging “love laws” in Arundhati Roy’s the god of small things
(UMT, Lahore, 2022) Muzamil Abbas
This study attempts to explore the subjugation, oppression, and rebelliousness of women in the novel, The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy by using Marry Wollstonecraft’s theory of feminism. The study investigates the way Roy challenges the norms or the Love Laws of the patriarchal society. This study focuses on the way women suffer in a patriarchal society, how women were suppressed in the patriarchal society, how women were not given a voice to act according to their desires and how women rebel against the social norms of patriarchal society by breaking love laws. This study aims to investigate how female characters in The God of Small Things, treated as “Other” species and how it reflects the suffering of women in general. In addition, this study discusses how female characters in the novel dared to challenge the Love Laws to gain freedom in a patriarchal society. A qualitative method is uses to conduct a feminist analysis of the novel, The God of Small Things in order to deal with the posed questions.

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