Human Values, Moral Lessons and Timeless Wisdom in Selected Short Stories of Munshi Premchand Translated into English

Abstract

Universal human values are the basic building blocks of every ethical society. These values include honesty, integrity, justice, empathy, kindness, generosity etc. which transcend social, geographical and cultural boundariesand deeply resonate with people across generations. These are the values that guide individuals toward moral choices. In literature, such values are often explored through narratives that reflect social and individual conflicts and offer readers a deeper understanding of ethical behaviour and societal norms. Short stories, being concise in its form, are quite effective in portraying human values. Munshi Premchand (1880-1936), a prominent name in Hindi and Urdu literature, is widely known for the realistic portrayal of Indian society. He used his fictional world to describe the ethical challenges of his time and provide a profound insight into the human condition.His works, particularly, short stories, bring to life characters from various backgrounds who navigate moral dilemmas, display resilience, kindness and face adverse circumstances bravely. The present paper explores and analysestwelve short stories written by Premchand, translated into English, to examine how his narratives depict universal human values and convey moral lessons.Each story selected in this paper showcases a distinct aspect of human values. This paper underscores the enduring legacy of Premchand’s stories as a vital contribution to the understanding of human values and moral consciousness in literature.