Domestic Realism: A Study of Mimesis and Verisimilitude in Shazaf Fatima Haider's How it Happened

Abstract

In literature, the portrayal of human life and society as they are having been significantly influenced by realism. Balzac established it, and numerous writers, including Tolstoy, Gogol, Eliot had elevated it to prominence. Pakistani English literature also employs the same legacy. Shazaf Fatima Haider effectively employs this realism in her book and encourages readers to communicate the characteristics of Pakistani society. Additionally, the aim of this paper is to emphasize the factors that Haider has incorporated into her book that are consistent with reality. This has been accomplished by employing two concepts of realism; Mimesis and Verisimilitude. In Pakistani society, particularly in the household, marriage, education, and religion are prioritized over human rights. This is the primary concern of Haider’s book and this paper as well. In domestic spheres, people are obligated to adhere to their religious beliefs only rather than look for an excellence guy or girl in the course of marriage. Additionally, women are still regarded as inferior to males, a practice that has persisted since ancient times. Additionally, Haider intends to raise awareness of a fact that grants equal status to all human beings and cautions against the unnecessary use of religion by presenting all of these facts. Haider’s realistic portrayal of such genuine issues existing in Pakistani society makes her novel more considerable especially for young generation.