Q4.

Critical analysis of the poem ‘For your lanes, my

Ans: As the poetry of Pablo Neruda is massively popular with ordinary Chileans- who
regard him as their National poet, so Faiz Ahmed Faiz is loved by millions of Pakistan, who
know his poems by heart. Much of his poetry follows the conventions of Ghazal, the classical
form of traditional Urdu poetry, which has been influenced by Persian literature. But Faiz's
work revolutionizes the conventions. Extending the meanings of many traditional terms.

With the help of the poem, "For Your Lanes, My Country," Faiz wants to convey his deep
love, devotion and respect for his nation but also point toward the flows of today society. He
believes his nation's streets to be sacred and in his poem he salutes it. He also explain his
nation as a place where there is a ritual that no one shall walk with his head high and the
devotee should go to the pilgrims with their eyes lowered and body couched in fear. He
doesn't understand the logic beside humans being prisoned inside brick and stone sculpture
while stray dogs are free to roam everywhere. Here, he compare the life of human with a dog
where human are restricted with rules and customs whereas dogs are breathing freely. He
doesn't understand today's society's rules. He says those few standing up with the power to
speak and bring changes are the same person who give protection as well as prosecute and
judgement. He is confused to whom shall he expect protection and from whom shall he
expect judgements. Although this doesn't affect the peoples who know how to live happily
with their memories day and night. He also explains the beauty of his nation by comparing
the stars with sparkle in the hairs. He says when the windows of the same prisons made up of
bricks and stones where humans are bound to live become dark that is when sun sets and
moon rises stars in the sky look like they are beautifully crafted in his nation's hairs and he
also explain the beauty of sun rise by saying that he know when the prison's windows will be
lighted again he could see his nation's face bathed in dawn. And then he said that he lives in
the memories of beautiful days and night while being imprisoned in the walls made of bricks
and stones. This is how people fight oppression by the memories. The rituals are not new
neither in poets ways. (419)
2) What is “The Final Solution”? What does it tell about life
after the partition? OR 15 Marks

Ans: Manik Bandhopadhyay's “The Final Solution” is a popular short story. The plot of
the story revolves around the migration of thousands of people to Bengal after the partition.
The result of partition brings stories of suffering, rape, and sexual violence. The story deals
with the homeless and helpless family of Mallika, who struggles hard to keep herself fit to
fight against poverty, hunger, and sexual violence.

The term "the final solution" in the given question refers to Mallika's drastic and violent
action to escape from her oppressor, Pramatha, who was trying to force her into prostitution.
Mallika transformed herself into Goddess Kali to punish Pramatha. She cannot tolerate the
sexual harassment and seeks a solution from Pramatha's cannibalistic desires. She strikes
Pramatha with a wine bottle, rendering him unconscious, and then strangles him to death
using a sari he had given her. Then she took notes from his pockets and left the room, feeling
free from the demon's atmosphere. She smiled and said, 'I've found a way out, Thakurjhi—
the final solution...' She found out the final solution in her own way. She sought out the
solution from hunger for her family. The money she took from the dead man's pockets
represented ‘the final solution' to her.

The partition's impact on poor, subaltern classes is evident as they struggle to find food,
shelter, and security. Many people and organizations visit the refugees, but their help is often
superficial or exploitative. For example, Pramatha, a representative of a so-called Help and
Welfare Society, preys on the vulnerability of refugee women, including Mallika, under the
guise of providing assistance. He offers Mallika a job, but his real intention is to exploit her
sexually.

Women, in particular, suffer immensely during this time, facing not only economic and social
deprivation but also physical and mental assault. Mallika's metamorphosis from victim to
survivor, who takes violent action against her oppressor, highlights the intense desperation
and resilience of those affected by the partition. The story portrays a grim picture of human
suffering, violence, and the breakdown of social and moral order in the aftermath of partition.
(392)
1) The title “Cold Meat” by Manto? OR 15 Marks

Ans: "Cold Meat" ("Thanda Gosht") by Saadat Hasan Manto is a provocative short story
that captures the brutality and dehumanization of communal violence during the Partition of
India. The title itself, "Cold Meat," is deeply significant, encapsulating the story’s central
themes and offering a stark commentary on the human condition during such tumultuous
times.

Literally, "cold meat" refers to the lifeless body of a woman discovered by the protagonist,
Ishar Singh, who, in a moment of shocking brutality, attempts to sexually assault her, only to
discover that she is already dead. This horrifying realization becomes a turning point in the
story, emphasizing the extent of Ishar's moral degradation and the impact of violence on
individuals.

Symbolically, the term "cold meat" dehumanizes the victim, reducing her to mere flesh
devoid of life and humanity. This reflects the brutal objectification and dehumanization that
occur during times of communal violence and hatred.

The title also symbolizes the emotional and moral coldness of the characters. Ishar Singh's
actions are driven by lust and violence, showing a complete disregard for human life and
dignity. The "coldness" in the title mirrors the chilling indifference to human suffering that
permeates the story, reflecting the broader societal desensitization to violence during the
Partition.

Moreover, the story delves into themes of guilt and its consequences. Ishar Singh's realization
and subsequent confession to his lover, Kulwant Kaur, of his necrophilic act led to a violent
confrontation. The "cold meat" symbolizes the cold, hard reality of his guilt and the
inevitable repentance that follows.

Thus, in conclusion, we can say that Manto's "Cold Meat" is a potent social critique that
highlights the horrifying effects of intergroup violence and hatred. The title sums up the
dehumanizing consequences of such brutality, compelling readers to consider the long-lasting
wounds the Partition left on humanity as well as the harsh facts of its occurrence. (308)
5) RTC from - Toba Tek Singh 5
marks
“There are some more – left still

Who are being divided, made into pieces –

There are some more Partitions to be done

That Partition was only the first one.”

Ans: The lines are taken from the poem “Toba Tek Singh”, written by Gulzar, an Indian
poet, lyricist, and filmmaker. This poem is based on a short story by Urdu writer Saadat
Hasan Manto. Both works are deeply rooted in the historical context of the 1947 Partition of
India, which resulted in the division of British India into India and Pakistan.

In this section of the poem Gulzar talks about what he has to say to Bishan Singh. When he
will descend from the tree, the poet can tell him about the climax of the partition-story.
According to the poet, Bishan was not the only person whose mind was divided into pieces as
well as the body. Others were going to be killed and amputated sooner or later. At last, the
poet ironically refers to the partition of 1947 that led to a series of continuing partitions. The
meaning of the second partition is different though. (155)