AN EXISTENTIALIST ANALYSIS OF THE SELECTED SHORT STORIES IN AUSTENISTAN: A KIERKEGAARDIAN READING
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20719240Keywords:
Austenistan, Free Will, Kierkegaardian Existentialism, Pakistani SocietyAbstract
Every society has its own authority of truth and identity. The power structures, in the form of culture, religion, morality and financial status, define an individual’s identity and status in society. The present study aims to explore the dominant power structures, particularly in Pakistani society, that give meaning to and define individuals’ lives. It also argues that these institutions of life hinder individuals from exercising their free will. An individual goes through the three modes of existence in life. These are the aesthetic, ethical, and religious stages defined by Kierkegaard (1845), in which an individual enjoys the liberty of exercising free will and ultimately takes a leap of faith. Qualitative in nature, the present study analyzes five short stories from Austenistan, a Pakistani fictional anthology by Laleen Sukhera. As the study is based on social constructivist philosophy, Pakistani society is observed and analyzed in light of Austenistan. Toulmin’s model of argumentation is used to analyze the text. The model operates in three primary steps: claim, grounds, and warrants. It explores various factors, such as social, ethical, financial, and cultural forces, that hinder individuals from exercising their free will. Due to these obstacles, individuals are left with no option but to give up on their desires. In the future, a study could be conducted on the Marxist perspective, feminism, or cultural studies within the framework of existentialism.
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