An Analytical Study of the Disintegration of Progressive Idealism in the Urdu Short Story ‘Barah Ghantay’ (Twelve Hours)

Abstract

Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, a prominent figure of the Progressive Writers’ Movement, examines class oppression, social reform, and psychological conflict in his short story “Barah Ghantay”. The narrative centers on revolutionary Vijay Singh during his brief twelve-hour release, a period that exposes the tension between ideological commitment and human vulnerability. This temporary freedom becomes a critical space where personal emotions challenge rigid political ideals. Employing Deconstruction and Marxist Feminism as analytical frameworks, the study explores how the text reveals underlying contradictions related to time, power, and gender relations. Although the story appears to advocate progressive and revolutionary ideals, a closer reading uncovers unconscious reinforcements of patriarchal authority and emotional dependence. The portrayal of gender roles and psychological fragility complicates the narrative’s ideological stance. Ultimately, “Barah Ghantay” reflects not only the struggle against social oppression but also the internal fractures and limitations inherent within progressive ideology itself.