TRANSFORMATION OF DESIRE: FREUD’S SUBLIMATION IN HAMAYUN MASAUD’S SHORT STORY THIRST
Keywords:
Defence Mechanisms, Freudian Psychoanalysis, Hamayun Masaud, Psychological Transformation, Sublimation, ThirstAbstract
The current paper aims to investigate the psychological interpretation of Zarin, the central character in Hamayun Masaud’ short story “Thirst,” using a Freudian defence mechanism called sublimation. After spending a year of loneliness, Zarin seeks to gratify his unfulfilled desires through a vulnerable girl in distress. The current study argues that his carnal urges are redirected towards empathy and protection for the helpless girl. This abrupt transformation of his initial fleshy urges into sublime feelings demonstrate how socially unacceptable urges can transform into something socially and culturally valued and acceptable, illustrating sublimation as a mature way to attain psychological equanimity. The present research employs a qualitative interpretive approach, hence focusing on exploring hidden meanings and also analysing cognitive workings of Zarin. The study aims to interpret the story to unveil the psychological mechanisms of Zarin and the ultimate sublimation of his primal impulses.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Muhammad Amjad , Dr Shaukat Ali, Saima Anwar (Author)
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