Intizar Hussain on the idea of identity

A highly significant notion that we did not explicitly name in class but explored through other avenues was that of ‘identity’ in Wo jo kho gaye. The concept of ‘identity’ pervades this short story by Intizar Hussain, but is most obviously highlighted in the narrator’s unique way of choosing not to give his characters names. Throughout his literary work, he refers to these figures by phrases, a technique I feel he has used to spur connotations of description. I believe he employs this device in an attempt to give these men an ‘identity’ that would not have been adequately provided to them by mere names.

By delving deeper into the significance of each phrase as an indicator of ‘identity’, we realize how the author has intelligently utilized words as alternatives to names.  I would understand the “baareesh waala” as someone who has been scarred by the traumatic experience of Partition, the “thailay waala” as a man displaced by the exile that ensues from the loss of his home, the “naujawan” as a symbol of the coming generations that will have to suffer sentiments of homelessness and despair and the “zakhmi sar waala” as a person wounded physically as well as emotionally, an idea emphasized by the fact that his injury is in the head. The reference to the “Aziz” ^[1] also gives rise to the idea of friendship as a temporary phenomenon.

The four men’s search for their lost fellow metaphorically signifies the search for retrieving their origins, for a new place to establish themselves in and on a broader scale, the new ‘identity’ they can claim as their own so that they are not recognized as exilic figures. This is further endorsed in the scene when they realize that this fifth person never existed and that each of them had ironically failed to count himself, lending support to their feeling of being stripped of their identities and of being non-existent. The crux of the scene can be found in this dialogue by the injured man:

 “Tou phir yoon hay ke jo eik aadmi kum hay, wo mein thaa”^[2].

 Moreover, their confusion over which direction to take and their debate over when they had embarked on the journey ^[3] is an image of the ‘identity’ they have lost in the web of events surrounding Partition.

Thus, Intizar Hussain focuses on ‘identity’ as a fluid entity, as subject to transformations in certain circumstances and as influenced by company. These men depend on each other to reaffirm their existence, which denounces their individuality and expounds on how they simultaneously regret and exhibit gratitude for how their life is meaningless if viewed in isolation from the others’ lives, as illustrated in the section that emphasizes on “gawahi”.

“Afosos ke mein ab dusron ki gawahi per zinda hoon”^[4].

“Shuker ker ke teray liay teen gawahi denay waley maujood hain”^[5].

 “Ager tum apni gawahi se phir jao tou mein bhee nahee rahoonga” ^[6].

^[1] pg 479

^[2] pg 486

^[3] pg 488

^[4] pg 487

^[5] pg 487

^[6] pg 487