Some stories have characters who are merchants. These characters are used to show the economic and social situations in the trading world. They might face moral dilemmas in business. Also, there are women characters who are either subjugated by the patriarchal society or are fighting against it. For example, a young widow who tries to break free from the social norms that restrict her life. His stories present a diverse range of characters that together paint a picture of the complex Indian society.
Children also appear as main characters in some of his short stories. These child characters often face difficulties due to poverty or family situations. They can be very innocent and at the same time, show great resilience in the face of hardships. Through these characters, Premchand can explore different aspects of human nature and the impact of society on the young generation.
There are often common people such as peasants, laborers, and housewives. For instance, many of his stories feature a poor peasant struggling against poverty and the unjust land - owning system.
There are also self - centered landlords. These characters are usually depicted as greedy and cruel, taking advantage of the poor peasants under their control.
Premchand's best short stories often have a strong sense of realism. They vividly depict the lives of ordinary people in India, including their struggles, joys, and sorrows.
Well, one common type of character is the elderly, wise figure. They usually have a lot of life experience and offer advice or moral guidance in the stories. Then there are the cunning moneylenders who prey on the poor. And of course, there are the children who represent innocence and hope in the face of the often harsh adult world depicted in Premchand's stories.
Poverty is a major theme. In his stories, he often shows how the poor struggle to make ends meet, like in 'Poos Ki Raat' where the family has no proper shelter or warmth during winter.
One of the main themes is social inequality. Premchand often shows the gap between the rich and the poor in his stories. For example, in many of his works, the poor characters struggle to make ends meet while the rich enjoy a life of luxury without much concern for others.
One memorable character is Hori from 'Godan'. Hori is a poor farmer who is constantly exploited by the landlords and moneylenders. His simple dreams of owning a cow and leading a decent life are shattered by the cruel realities of society. Another is Bholi from the story of the same name. Bholi is a girl who overcomes her initial timidity and lack of confidence due to her physical appearance and being bullied, and shows great strength in the end.
Premchand was a master of character development in his Hindi short stories. He created complex characters that were both relatable and representative of different strata of society. His use of the Hindi language was simple yet powerful, making his stories accessible to a wide range of readers.
Some of the best Premchand stories include 'The Gift of a Cow'. In this story, Premchand delved deep into the themes of poverty, human values, and the social fabric. It shows how a simple act of kindness towards a cow can have far - reaching consequences for different characters.
One of the main themes is social inequality. Premchand often shows the gap between the rich and the poor. Another theme is the struggle of the common people. For example, in many stories, the characters face hardships like poverty and discrimination but still strive for a better life. Also, the theme of family values is present, as he explores relationships within families, like the bonds between parents and children or between spouses.
In 'The Nose', the main character is a nose that magically detaches from a man's face and gains a life of its own. It's a very strange and surreal character that represents the absurdity of society.