The Social Relevance of Literature: A Critique of Mohsin Hamid’s Moth Smoke (2000), Kamila Shamsie’s Salt and Saffron (2000), and Sara Suleri’s Boys will be boys (2003)

Abstract

This article explores ‘social relevance’ of Mohsin Hamid’s Moth Smoke (2000), Kamila Shamsie’s Salt and Saffron (2000), and Sara Suleri’s Boys will be boys (2003). For quite some time now, literature is looked upon as a tool used to examine social issues in accordance with indigenous aspirations. The authors referred to above, render a deeper insight revealing the complex nature of Pakistani society. Additionally, the article with a critical analysis approach focuses on Social Conflict Theory as to how the three literary works investigate the authors’ perspectives pertaining to class, cultural identity and gender. The findings reveal the works explore class divisions, the gap between traditional and modern values and gender demands of Pakistani society. They also show ways of how literature addresses social issues. More research work needs be conducted to gain a solid understanding about the social relevance of Pakistani Anglophone literature.