Characterization of Alif Laila: Translated by Ratnath Sarshar

الف لیلہ کی کردار نگاری: بحوالہ مترجمہ رتن ناتھ سرشار

Abstract

The article by Ratan Nath Sarshar examines Alif Laila (The Arabian Nights) as a narrative corpus that presents a rich diversity of characters, encompassing royalty, merchants, magicians, tricksters, and ordinary individuals. These figures are constructed in striking moral and social contrasts—virtue and vice, loyalty and betrayal, power and vulnerability—offering a nuanced reflection of human nature and societal structures. While many characters possess larger-than-life qualities, their emotional depth, including love, fear, ambition, and hope, renders them relatable. Central to the narrative is Scheherazade, whose strategic use of storytelling demonstrates intelligence, courage, and the redemptive potential of narrative art. Sarshar’s analysis highlights how Alif Laila integrates elements of fantasy with cultural and moral instruction, illustrating the interplay between personal agency, ethical choices, and destiny.