The Survival of The Fittest: Deconstructing Man-Made Beliefs in Yashpal’s /khəccər ɔ:r a:dmi:/ (Mule and the Man)

This paper examines Yashpal’s short story /khəccər ɔ:r a:dmi:/ (Mule and the Man) as a powerful critique of man-made religious beliefs and their disruptive impact on the natural order. Through an intricate interplay of themes including The Survival of the Fittest, economic inequality, and human dogmatism, Yashpal unravels how traditional beliefs can often diverge from natural instincts, leading to consequences that ultimately expose the emptiness of these convictions. The narrative, centered on a mule and a man stranded in severe conditions, highlights the clash between humanity’s blind faith and the animal’s innate survival instincts, presenting nature as both resilient and unforgiving. The study delves into Yashpal’s deft integration of Darwinian principles, demonstrating how survival relies on adaptation and alignment with nature rather than adherence to irrational convictions. Additionally, the story portrays economic inequality as a force that reinforces superstition, with individuals often drawn to dogmatic solutions for material gain or comfort. By employing a rigorous literary analysis, this paper reveals how Yashpal uses storytelling as a medium for societal critique, challenging entrenched beliefs and underscoring the need for a more rational, symbiotic relationship with the natural world. The findings affirm Yashpal’s commitment to social justice through literature, emphasizing that literature serves not only as reflection but as a call for intellectual discernment and adaptation in the face of changing environmental and social landscapes.