A Human Psychological Dilemma: A Critical Study of Superstitious Beliefs in Ahmad Ali's Twilight in Delhi

Abstract

The study is about the superstitious beliefs and behavior of an individual in a society and its consequences in their lives. It includes the conceptual definition of superstitions, its belief and prevalence, variability and consequences, pros and cons, different theories for adherence with superstitious beliefs in Ahmad Ali’s Twilight in Delhi through Mir Nihal’s family and society of the time. The research focuses on the novel that how and why superstitious beliefs overcome different characters in the novel, as the character of Bilqeece shows that women become slave after marriages, Begum Nihal’s beliefs on amulet practices, magic, charms and spells that it can cure their diseases are such beliefs that affects their lives. The study concludes to analyze qualitatively such unscientific, irrational things which often arise from ignorance and misunderstanding of science or casualty. The belief in fate or magic which is unknown is devastation. The researcher discusses the Stuart A. Vyse concept of superstitious beliefs and behavior in his book, Believing in Magic, The psychology of superstition.