The reluctant moderns
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Date
2023
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Publisher
UMT, Lahore
Abstract
The research aims to scrutinize the characters of Ahmed Ali’s Twilight in Delhi in accordance with the Psychoanalytic theory presented by Sigmund Freud. It puts emphasis on the conscious and unconscious selves of Asghar, Bilqeece, and Bari discussed in the novel to reveal their psyche in the light of Freud’s theory. The research intends to unfold both internal and external conflicts, repressions, dreams, libidinal desires as well as psychological conditions of the characters of the novel, especially Asghar, his wife Bilqeece, and his friend Bari. These different yet similar characters are unaware of the hidden play of their unconsciousness. In addition to this, the research puts the functionality of the superego, id, and ego triangle, consciousness and unconsciousness, the idea of eroticism and sexual appetite, and the representation of sexual desires through the interpretation of dreams. The research is conducted objectively by using textual analysis methods (qualitative). To draw conclusions from the data, the technique of close reading is utilized in the research. The research finds all the characters of Ahmed Ali similar in their psychology, as they all possess repressed sexual urges, a rift between their id and superego as well as subdued dreams. Sigmund Freud’s exposition of Asghar’s and Bilqeece’s dreams, and examination of the characters’ inner brain powers disclose their sexual drives and dominated repressed lusts as propounded by himself. Moreover, the continuous tussle and rivalry between id and superego is noticeable in the characters’ minds, as they are lurking between these two opposite tangents throughout the novel.