The concept of time and space (or time and place) in the stories of Master Abdul Karim

Abstract

This research article examines the concept of time and space in the short stories of Master Abdul Karim, with particular reference to his short-story collection Jhoolay Gulona. The study focuses on the ways in which time and space contribute to the construction of characters, narrative situations, social realities, and the intellectual significance of his stories. It also discusses the relationship between historical time, narrative time, social space, and geographical space in his fiction. The study employs the concept of chronotope, particularly the interconnectedness of time and space in literary narratives, as a theoretical framework for the analysis.

The findings indicate that time and space in Master Abdul Karim’s short stories are not merely background elements for the occurrence of events; rather, they function as significant components in representing the historical, political, and social conditions of his period. His stories reflect the experiences of ordinary people, political awareness, colonial oppression, imprisonment, social injustice, and the struggle for freedom. Places such as villages, hujras, political gatherings, roads, and prisons acquire meanings shaped by their historical context. Thus, the interaction of time and space creates a distinct literary world in which individual experiences are connected with collective historical consciousness. The study concludes that the concept of time and space, viewed through the framework of chronotope, is an important aspect of understanding the artistic, social, and historical dimensions of Master Abdul Karim’s short stories.

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22927926