The Postcolonial Uncanny in "Toba Tek Singh".

This article discusses the concept of the uncanny in a postcolonial context, specifically focusing on the slums of Mumbai and the partition of India. The author argues that the uncanny aesthetic can reveal hidden aspects of reality and challenge dominant narratives. By examining literature and psychoanalysis, the author suggests that the uncanny can help readers engage with their own emotions and fantasies, bypassing censorship and facilitating social and political change. The article applies this postcolonial uncanny aesthetic to the short story "Toba Tek Singh" by Saadat Hasan Manto, highlighting the absurdity of partition and its impact on mental health. The article raises questions about the usefulness of the uncanny aesthetic in analyzing real-life social and political conditions. [Extracted from the article]