Escape and Catharsis Theme Analysis

“Mrs Mahmood” explores the idea that certain kinds of escape can lead to mental clarity and emotional catharsis. The manager of a busy sports shop in London, Mr. Mahmood finds comfort in fulfilling his day-to-day tasks and being in the lively environment of his shop, often shutting his mind off as he works. While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the excitement and busyness of city life, Mr. Mahmood’s need for the sound of an underground train to lull him to sleep suggests that stress and discontentment may lurk beneath the surface of his everyday life. In fact, after almost losing his temper at the teenage boy who tries to steal shoes from his shop, Mr. Mahmood finds himself needing to listen to loud music and distract his hands, showing that he’s accustomed to avoiding his more negative emotions through these small means of escape and distraction.

At the same time, when Mr. Mahmood escapes his usual environment of his sports shop and city for more prolonged periods of time, he enters a headspace in which he can begin reflecting on his emotions in a more honest manner. For example, chasing the teenage boy down the street is what prompts Mr. Mahmood to think back to his brief career as a track and field runner in his youth, which he ultimately gave up on. Similarly, boarding a random bus to get out of the city and into a public park is what allows Mr. Mahmood to run on a track for the first time in years, clear his mind, and admit to himself that he’s uncertain about everything in his life aside from his wife. As such, the story doesn’t portray escape in a purely negative light. Rather, the narrative demonstrates how getting away from the constraints and demands of life can sometimes help a person leave the past behind and begin to look to the future with a clearer state of mind.