A Critical Discourse Analysis of Stereotypical Presentation of Lead Roles in Pakistani Urdu Digest Stories

Abstract

Urdu digest stories are still a popular genre of literature in Pakistan and they are an extension and confirmation of traditional gender ideology. Such stories commonly depict both men and women in stereotypical ways that shape the views of the readers on gender, power and identity. The Present research is a critical analysis of the discursive techniques that Urdu writers of digests use to develop the stereotypical male and female protagonist and how such representations are affecting the perceptions of emotions and social perceptions of the young people in Pakistan. Ten Urdu digest stories published in 2020-24 were thematically analyzed using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) within the analysis of Fairclough (1995). Emphasis was put on the linguistic aspects, gendered metaphors and a narrative structure that strengthen the hierarchy of gender. Findings indicate that the male characters are positioned as rational, dominant and savors whereas the female characters are portrayed as emotional, dependent and sacrificial. This research concludes that Urdu digest stories are perpetuation of patriarchal discourse which may affect gender identity development in Pakistani youth