DefinePK

Abstract

This study explores the depiction of Western characters in Mustansar Hussain Tarar’s acclaimed Urdu novel Piyār kā Pahlā Shahr (The First City of Love), focusing on the portrayal of cross-cultural empathy and shared human experiences. Central to the narrative is the character of a French girl, depicted as compassionate, courageous, and emotionally intelligent. Through her relationship with the protagonist, Tarar illustrates the potential for meaningful connections between individuals from vastly different cultural backgrounds. Rather than presenting the Western world as alien or adversarial, Tarar humanizes it, emphasizing the universality of emotions such as love, care, and understanding. The novel becomes a literary space where East and West are not in conflict, but in conversation—where cultural differences are acknowledged but do not obstruct emotional depth or human solidarity. This research critically examines how the author employs narrative, character development, and setting to challenge stereotypes and promote intercultural harmony. By analyzing the symbolic and thematic dimensions of the novel, the study reveals Tarar’s nuanced vision of global humanity one that transcends geographic and ideological boundaries.
The findings suggest that Piyār kā Pahlā Shahr serves not only as a romantic narrative but also as a subtle commentary on cross-cultural interaction, tolerance, and the shared emotional landscapes of East and West. Through this lens, the novel contributes to contemporary literary discourse on identity, cultural dialogue, and the ethics of representation.