Psychoanalytic Analysis of Ahmed Ali’s Twilight in Delhi (1940)

Abstract

The paper intends to examine Ahmed Ali’s Twilight in Delhi from perspective of psychoanalytic theory as proposed by Sigmund Freud. It critically talks about important elements of Freudian psychoanalysis present in the novel. This paper aims to understand internal conflicts, psychological conditions, repressions, sexual desires and dreams of characters especially of the protagonist Mir Nihal, his son Asghar and his wife Bilqeece, who live in colonial India. In addition, research focuses on functioning of id, ego and superego triangle, conscious and unconscious of characters, human sexuality and their dreams. Evaluation is conducted objectively by using textual analysis method. Furthermore, close reading is being used as a technique of drawing conclusion from the data. The findings of the study reveal that Ahmed Ali’s characters are psychologically similar, as they all repress desires, have sexual urges, face the rivalry of id and superego and dream what they repress. Freudian interpretation of Asghar’s and Bilqeece’ dreams and analysis of characters’ internal minds reveal their sexual motives and repressed urges as suggested by Freud. In addition, the rivalry of id and super ego is evident in characters’ minds as they are caught between two opposite forces throughout the novel.