ECHOES OF THE SUBALTERN: MARGINALIZED VOICES IN SAADAT HASAN MANTO'S SHORT STORIES

Abstract

This  study aims to explore the overlooked perspectives portrayed in the short stories of Saadat Hasan Manto. It attempts to address a significant gap and shed light on how marginalization is a shared experience across society and a universal dilemma. While Manto's vivid portrayals of pre-Partition India have been extensively studied, this research offers a focused platform to uncover the experiences of marginalization his stories capture. Drawing from Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak's Subaltern Theory as a guiding framework, this study utilizes methods like Close Reading, Thematic Analysis, and Contextualization to explore these literary pieces deeply and find their underlying themes and messages. Through this analysis it seeks to show how literature serves as a platform for marginalized voices to be heard, revealing shared struggles and resilience while highlighting the influence of socio-political context on Manto's narratives. This study plays a role in raising awareness about the challenges faced by marginalized people, aiming to change how society views them and to influence perceptions and policy.