THE IDENTITY MASK: COLONIAL MIMICRY AND PSYCHOANALYTIC DEFENSE MECHANISMS IN THE OVERCOAT BY GHULAM ABBAS

Abstract

The research paper The Identity Mask: Colonial Mimicry and Psychoanalytic Defense Mechanisms is written with the purpose to understand the interaction between colonial social values and psychological defense mechanisms and it influences upon the protagonist's identity. In particular, the present study aims at exploring the elements of colonial mimicry due to post colonial social aspirations and how it results in the identity formation of the protagonist and how the use of psychoanalytical defence mechanisms leads to fragmentation of identity and to the falling down of the protagonist. The study uses qualitative research approach and the method of data analysis is textual. The study's sample is the short story The Overcoat by Ghulam Abbas which is one of the most significant works in Pakistani literature. It is analyzed that the protagonist's overcoat serves as a symbol a psychological mechanism of safeguarding oneself. His imitates the elite culture which is a sign of the assimilation of colonial values. He focuses highly on to avoid the feeling inferiority and be excluded socially. However, he suffers from within. In short, The Overcoat will be thrown away, and the truth which lies beneath the fake mask of respectability will be exposed.