Portrayal of Women in Manto’s Fiction

  Introduction Saadat Hasan Manto remains one of the most provocative and influential writers in South Asian literature. Known for his fearless storytelling, Manto often delved into the dark alleys of society, unearthing truths that most writers of his time dared not touch. One of the most intriguing aspects of his writing is the portrayal of women. In a patriarchal society that consistently suppressed female voices, Manto chose to amplify them—sometimes tenderly, other times brutally—but always honestly. His women are not just characters; they are symbols of a fractured, violent, and hypocritical society. Whether it’s a sex worker, a madwoman, or a rebellious lover, Manto gave each woman a voice, a soul, and above all, humanity. He stripped away the gloss of moral righteousness and exposed the raw, unfiltered truth about female existence in a male-dominated world. Understanding the portrayal of women in Manto’s fiction means peeling back layers of social expectations, religiou...