The Return

This study guide will help you analyze the short story “The Return” by Saadat Hasan Manto. You can also find a summary of the text, as well as inspiration for interpreting it and putting it into perspective.

Excerpt from the study guide:

Violence
One of the themes explored by Saadat Hassan Manto in the short story “The Return” is violence. The story specifically focuses on the Partition of India in 1947, a violent event that led to deaths and terrible acts. The beginning of the story sets the context – a violent attack followed by an escape attempt overcome by rioters: “A succession of images raced through his mind. Attack… fire… escape … railway station … night … Sakina”.
Sirajuddin, the main character, has witnessed tragic events, including seeing his wife die in front of his eyes:
Then it came to him in a flash – the dead body of his wife, her stomach ripped open. It was an image that wouldn’t go away. Sakina’s mother was dead. That much was certain. She had died in front of his eyes. He could hear her voice: ‘Leave me where I am. Take the girl away.’
Violence breaks families apart, just like in Sirajuddin’s case. Furthermore, in the confusion and chaos of the moment, Sakina gets lost from her father and becomes the victim of the Hindu rioters...