EXPLORING SELF THROUGH GHAZALIAN THEORY OF SOUL AND FREUDIAN PSYCHOANALYSIS: THE STUDY OF PROFESSOR SOHAIL IN RAJA GIDH

Abstract

Purpose of the study: The current study explores the psychological dimensions of Professor Sohail in a famous Pakistani novel Raja Gidh (1981) written by Bano Qudsia. A quick glance at the entire plot of the selected novel strengthens our belief that psychological sufferings or regeneration greatly affect the external life of an individual. For an in-depth analysis, Ghazali, the famous 11th-century scholar of the Muslim world, and Freud, the genius of the 20th century, have provided the conceptual underpinnings. Methodology: For the thematic analysis of the selected novel, this study has adapted Attride-Stirling’s (2001) model of the textual data analysis, which is divided into three stages i.e., data reduction, exploration, and data complication or interpretation. Ghazalain nafs e ammara, nafs e lawwamma, nafs e mutmainna and aql, and Freudian id, ego and superego have guided the coding and interpretation of the selected character. Main Findings: A close analysis of the selected character through the lens of these theorists exposes that sometimes nafs e ammara or id makes him fall into the abyss of evils or sometimes nafs e lawwama or superego cause a relentless internal conflict which has been intermediated by aq’l or ego. Applications of this study: This work, inside the parameter of the selected theories, offers an insight into the relevance of the psychological issues in the modern world, thus, establishing our belief in the similar workings of the human mind, regardless of the variances in time and space. Moreover, it has also revealed that the incorporation of Eastern and Western insights for studying the human mind has the potential of becoming an effective critical approach for psychological analysis in the realm of English literature. Novelty/Originality of this study: The current study makes the readers dive deep into the darkest abyss of the human mind, to bring to the surface not only his deep-rooted fears and anxieties but also the magnificent gems of spiritual insight.