An Existential Exploration of Sohel’s Character in Daniyal Muaeenuddin’s Muscle

Author(s) : Mudassar Iqbal, Shumaila Ashraf & Faheem Arshad

Abstract:

This research paper embarks on an intellectual quest into the domain of existential exploration. It is guided by a meticulous analysis of the central character, Mian Sohel, within Daniyal Muaeenuddin’s latest literary masterpiece, ‘Muscle.’ By drawing from the profound existentialist philosophy of Jean-Paul Sartre and the associated literary criticism, this scholarly investigation aims to unfold the intricate layers that compose Mian Sohel’s existence. The study thoroughly analyzes the character’s experience of inauthenticity, the torment of bad faith, the burden of indecisiveness, and the echoing pangs of loneliness that reverberate within his being. Through a rigorous examination of Mian Sohel’s innermost thoughts, the choices he makes, and his intricate interactions with the narrative’s setting and its other characters, this research endeavors to illuminate Mian Sohel’s profound existential journey. By foregrounding Sohel’s existential struggles, the paper aims to shed light on the dilemma faced by returning Pakistani students, who spent their formative years in West, in assimilating back into local socio-political ambience. It also examines the broader existential implications that echo within the human condition, going beyond the confines of this literary work and offering insight into the universal human experience.
Keywords: Existentialism, Inauthenticity, Loneliness