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Abstract

This paper critically examines Farhat Parveen’s short story “Aankhein Na Kholna” through the lens of Marxist literary theory. It explores how Karl Marx’s foundational concepts such as class struggle, alienation, materialism, and dialectical thinking can be applied to literary texts to reveal the underlying socio-economic structures and power dynamics. The story is analyzed as a reflection of a class divided society, where the ruling bourgeoisie exploits the labor and dignity of the proletariat. The narrative shows how systemic injustice is internalized by the oppressed, often justified as fate, which Marx termed "ideological conditioning." Thinkers like Engels, Althusser, Lenin, and Gramsci are referenced to explain how literature serves as a tool of both resistance and control. The article argues that Marxist criticism demands literature to side with the marginalized and portray the lived realities of the working class. Farhat Parveen's story, through the tragic depiction of class disparity and societal apathy, becomes a powerful critique of capitalist ideology and a call for awareness and change. Thus, literature is not viewed merely as an artistic endeavor but as an active participant in social transformation.