Shadows within

 

Shadows Within: Exploring the Psychological Short Story

By Faraz Parvez (Pen name of Professor Dr. Arshad Afzal)
Email: arshadafzal2001@gmail.com
Twitter/X: @DrArshadAfzal1

Introduction: What Is a Psychological Short Story?

A psychological short story peels away the external layers of life and delves deep into the hidden recesses of the mind. It examines what drives a character internally—fear, guilt, obsession, trauma, or delusion—and allows readers to witness the complex dance between reason and madness. These stories often unfold in tight, intimate settings where the real drama lies not in action, but in thought.

Often understated and deeply introspective, psychological short stories challenge readers to question the nature of reality and perception, making them a favorite among lovers of literary depth and emotional suspense.

Example Story: “The Mirror in the Mind”

Characters:

  • Mrs. Salma Naseer: A retired school principal in her late 60s, dignified but haunted.
  • Jameel: Her quiet, studious grandson.
  • The Mirror: An antique heirloom, more than just a reflective surface.

The Story

The old mirror stood in the corridor of her Lahore home, as it always had. Its mahogany frame was etched with tiny flowers—her mother’s favorite. For years, Mrs. Salma had passed it daily without thinking. But ever since Jameel had moved in last month, she had begun to notice… things.

At first, it was the late-night flicker of movement—only when she wasn’t looking directly. Then the whispering. Soft. Familiar. A voice she hadn’t heard since the war. Her husband’s.

Jameel once caught her talking to the mirror.
“Nani, were you…?”
“No, beta. Just... remembering.”

But she wasn't remembering. The mirror was responding. It reminded her of forgotten cruelty—of how she had reported a student for activism in 1971. The boy was never seen again.

The mirror didn’t lie. Each day, it revealed more: her ambition, her envy, her carefully buried regrets. But also her love—yes, even love—for the husband she betrayed with silence, the daughter she raised too strictly, the life she lived in the image of perfection.

One morning, the mirror reflected not her face, but her younger self. Weeping.
She smiled. "You're forgiven."

Jameel found her later, slumped in a chair, peaceful. The mirror cracked, silently.

Analysis: Why It Works

This story is psychological because the action is internal. The “mirror” may be literal, metaphorical, or imagined—readers are left to decide. The tension builds not from events but from Salma’s unraveling memory and growing guilt. That ambiguity—the line between reality and delusion—is the hallmark of this genre.

When to Write Psychological Short Stories

Use this form when:

  • You want to explore moral dilemmas or inner conflict.
  • The drama is driven by memory, trauma, or identity.
  • You aim to unsettle, provoke thought, or blur reality.

Psychological stories often pair well with minimal settings, unreliable narrators, and stream-of-consciousness style.

Join Our Journey Through Stories

This blog is part of our ongoing series on different types of short stories. Every few days, we take you deep into the world of storytelling—across genres, styles, and emotions.

Next up? “Metafiction: When the Story Knows It’s a Story.”

Don’t miss it!

Read all our essays and stories at:
farazparvez1.blogspot.com
Follow us for updates on:
X/Twitter: @DrArshadAfzal1
Email your thoughts: arshadafzal2001@gmail.com



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Bollywood storytelling

Image
  The Bollywood Storytelling: An Evaluation from 2000 AD By Dr. Arshad Afzal (Faraz Parvez – Pen Name) Former Faculty Member, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA Introduction: The Changing Face of Bollywood Narratives The Bollywood film industry has undergone a dramatic shift in storytelling since the dawn of the 21st century. The transition from formulaic love stories and melodramatic family dramas to more nuanced, socially relevant, and experimental narratives is striking. With globalization, streaming platforms, and an evolving audience, Bollywood has redefined its storytelling approach. This article examines Bollywood’s cinematic journey from 2000 AD, analyzing its themes, creative shifts, and impact on global cinema. The Early 2000s: The Age of Blockbuster Romance and Family Drama The early 2000s were dominated by grand, family-oriented dramas and larger-than-life romances. Films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) and Devdas (2002) thrived on opulence, traditional v...
Read more

The rise and fall of imran Khan niazi... A satirical essay

Image
  The Rise and Fall of Imran Khan Niazi: From The Establishment’s Golden Boy to The Fallen Messiah Written by Faraz Parvez Pen Name of Professor Dr. Arshad Afzal Former Faculty Member, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA There are few figures in contemporary politics as paradoxical as Imran Khan Niazi. A man whose political career reads like a tragicomedy, a cricketing hero who tried to bowl out corruption but ended up hitting his own wickets. Once the beloved poster boy of the establishment, now the self-styled revolutionary with a martyr complex—his journey is the stuff of a Shakespearean farce, with generous doses of slapstick and irony. The Saviour Who Needed Saving Once upon a time, Imran Khan was the chosen one . The establishment cradled him like a newborn prince, whispering sweet nothings of ‘Naya Pakistan’ into his ears. He was the hero with an Oxford degree, a World Cup trophy, and a playboy past that magically transformed into Islamic piety overnight. The masses, ...
Read more

The dying whispers of bhera haveli

Image
  Title: “The Dying Whispers of Bhera Haveli” Theme: In a forgotten corner of Punjab, where time stopped and shadows moved without reason, a cursed haveli holds a horrifying secret. What happens when someone hears the whispers that should have stayed buried? By Faraz Parvez Professor Dr. (Retired) Arshad Afzal Retired Faculty Member, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, KSA (Pseudonym of Professor Dr. Arshad Afzal) The Dying Whispers of Bhera Haveli Based on chilling oral tales from the subcontinent's dust-ridden ruins... In the neglected outskirts of Bhera , an ancient town once glorious in its Mughal past, there stands a crumbling haveli, twisted like a half-dead serpent among the eucalyptus and sheesham trees. The villagers call it “Khooni Haveli”—The Mansion of Blood. No one lives there. No one dares to enter. Except Tariq. He was a small-time real estate broker from Faisalabad. He dealt in disputed lands and run-down buildings, flipping ghost stories into desperate...
Read more