Characters

The main characters in “The Dutiful Daughter” by Saadat Hasan Manto are the narrator, the liaison officer, and the old woman. The narrator appears in the outer story and is critical of the partition of British India into India and Pakistan. He criticizes the society he lives in and does not agree with the living conditions of refugees.

The old woman and the liaison officer are important characters in the inner story. The liaison officer mostly acts as a storyteller and observer. He also intervenes after the old woman's encounter with her daughter and represents the voice of reason. The narrative briefly mentions other characters, such as the old woman’s daughter and the daughter’s husband.

You can read the full characterization of the narrator, the liaison officer, and the old woman in the next pages.