Essay Questions

What is the main theme in Manto’s writings?

Manto has highlighted the theme of hypocrisy in his writings. He has demonstrated how people were exploiting each other and destroying the lives of their fellows. The Muslims raped the Hindu women and the Hindus destroyed the lives of Muslim women. Apart from this, they also devastated the lives of the people of their own religions.

How has Manto highlighted religious ignorance?

In one of his black sketches ‘Miracle Man’, Manto has shown how people were ignorant regarding their religious beliefs. A thief was called a miracle man just because the water became sweet. While escaping from police, the sugar bags fell into the well from the man’s hands. He also fell into well along with the bags and died there. Next morning his dead body was retrieved by the simpletons and they made a shrine owing to the sweet water. Manto has tried to open the eyes of people regarding such superstitious beliefs.

Why was Eesher disturbed after coming back to his home?

Eesher murdered a Muslim family before coming to his home. He killed six members of the family and raped a girl. The memories of the murder and the girl haunted him, and he couldn’t relax his mind despite of returning to his home. Her wife asked her about his disturbed state of mind, but he did not tell her.

Why is Manto called an obscene writer?

Manto has raised the curtain from the dark realities and he did not hesitate from writing about the erotic issues. He laid bare the hypocrisy and the bitter realities of society. His stories portray the violence, trauma, murders, betrayal and sexual assaults during the period of migration. He is arguably the bluntest and most daring writer of the sub-continent.