معاصراردو ناول: جنسیت کی ادبی پیشکش ،فکری جہات اورسماجی مظاہر

The Contemporary Urdu Novel: Representations of Sexuality, Ideological Dimensions and Social Realities

Abstract

This study explores the representation of sexuality in the contemporary Urdu novel, examining its literary, ideological, and socio-cultural dimensions. It argues that sexuality is not merely depicted as a biological instinct but is intricately woven into the historical, cultural and social fabric of society. The analysis highlights how novelists engage with sexuality in relation to pressing social issues, including the lived realities of marginalized groups such as courtesans, and the broader dynamics of power and exploitation. Furthermore, the study investigates how sexuality is represented as a reflection of socio-economic structures, particularly in the context of capitalist and feudal systems, where it often becomes a tool of domination and control. The role of patriarchal forces in shaping and      exploiting sexual narratives is also critically examined. At the same time, the paper identifies instances in certain novels where the portrayal of sexuality appears excessive or commercially driven, serving either the writer’s personal gratification or the reader’s sensational interests. By situating sexuality within multiple interpretive frameworks, this study demonstrates that its representation in contemporary Urdu fiction is complex, layered, and deeply embedded in ideological and social realities.