One of the issues discussed is of the problems posed by arranged marriages. Here Begum Jan is married of to an aging Nawab. Both the husband and wife are poles apart as there is a difference in their ages as well as disparity in their social status, the Nawab belonging to the feudal class while Begum Jan belonging to a comparatively lower class. Eventually, after the marriage the Nawab discards his new wife and she merely remains a piece of furniture in his large house. Thus, the relationship is only kept ritualistically alive.
The author also dwells into the issue of the lack of independence given to women at that time. The begum is not allowed by her husband to step out of the house and is forced to lead a life of segregation, not even receiving the attention of her husband. On the other hand, the Nawab is free to act as he desires and indulge in his hobby of recruiting young boys as long as he fulfils his social obligations – namely that of acquiring a wife - a Begum - albeit as a piece of furniture. Thus, the issue of gender discrimination is also highlighted.
The consequences to these problems are also explored. Even though they could not have been more contrasting, there existed a more intimate relationship between Begum Jaan and Rabbu, the masseuse, than the typical master-servant relationship. Thus, rejection by her husband and a feeling of isolation in Begum Jaan, was the primary reason behind this relationship.
A consequence of this story was that it was termed obscene and a court case was filed against her. This draws attention to the conservative nature of society at that time and the fact that the society was not willing to accept its problems.
Concluding, this story deals with a number of social and cultural problems, prevalent at that time, tactfully and also explores their implications. The story’s relevancy to society and the fact that no other urdu author of the time dealt with such questions, makes it an audacious effort.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
English households were deeply rooted with the notion of marriage. Further they saw it just to give all control to the husband. This was done while the wives “tended house” and served as the housewife. Indian women and men were not as cemented into the idea that they must marry. Their lives are shown to be a strange bundle of rights and responsibilities, co-residency and kinship. The differences in opinion and views on the two different households are explained with the story of Maria, the unwed pregnant Indian servant who gave birth and supposedly threw the infant to the hogs to die.…
- 1062 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
Feminist were the ones to speak up when things were not right. These women willingly take a stand for their rights and beliefs. This essay was an attempt to activity speak about women emotionally, authority, and give reason. For many years women were bound to slavery of society. Often women were deprived of their inner self to respect the life that they were born to.…
- 617 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Although it is a common misconception that mothers are the only predominant care givers and all have a nurturing nature, in “Saving Sourdi” the mother shows a lack of motherly support and compassion as she marries her oldest daughter off to a man in hopes of gaining part of his fortune. Sourdi, the eldest daughter, truly shows more love and compassion and seems to stand as more of a motherly figure to her younger sister than their true mother, who’s priorities are that of tradition rather than love and support.…
- 90 Words
- 1 Page
Good Essays -
Toward this oppression and discrimination, women were and are rebelling and raising awareness through many categories such as art, books, music, proposing laws and regulations and such. Trying their best from the place they’re in to abolish this oppression toward women shows the persistence and resistance of women. The time women had come out from the cage or the house had dated back to a long ago yet they are fighting till now to get the equal treatment with men in this 21st century. Examples of how women in history fought to obtain equal treatment from society will be presented below.…
- 788 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
The female perspective is a critical element that has been persistently neglected throughout cultures due to the prevalence of the patriarchy. This has meant that literature itself manifests as a male institution, shaped by men 's minds and voices who view the female experience as trivial and unworthy of consideration. Therefore, being unable to express their own perspectives and discriminated against in their writings, women are a marginalized group. But, in their portrayal, are they truly victims of a patriarchal society? Certainly Sylvia Plath 's Daddy (1962) paints a despairing picture of suppression and inner anguish, a woman driven mad by the men in her life - though is this really the case? For Ania Walwicz challenges this concept of a helpless damsel in distress by subverting the traditional fairytale in Little Red Riding Hood (1982), thus undermining masculine values about women and their sexuality. Through the examination of these two texts, the extent of women 's victimization by a patriarchal society can be determined.…
- 1812 Words
- 5 Pages
Powerful Essays -
The role of women in society has changed dramatically over the centuries from women being inferior to men, to women gaining autonomy. The issue of gender roles has also changed over time; where in the late 1800’s males dominated the workplace and home, to women now acquiring more independence and self-worth. This paper will discuss the similarities of themes between the two short stories of “The Revolt of Mother” by Mary E Wilkins Freeman and “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. Through each of these short stories the literary elements of style, symbolism, and irony will be discussed, impacting the theme in various ways. Over time, the role of women in society continues to change, shaping each individual into a new era of freedom and rights.…
- 1272 Words
- 6 Pages
Good Essays -
Even though the daughter doesn’t seem to have yet reached adolescence, the mother worries that her current behavior, if continued, will lead to a life of promiscuity. The mother believes that a woman’s reputation or respectability determines the quality of her life in the community. A female’s sexuality must be carefully guarded and even concealed to maintain a respectable front. Consequently, the mother links various tangential objects and tasks to the taboo topic of sexuality, such as squeezing bread before buying it, and much of her advice is centered on how to uphold respectability. She scolds her daughter for the way she walks, the way she plays marbles, and how she relates to other people. The mother’s constant emphasis on this theme shows how much she wants her daughter to realize that she is “not a boy” and that she needs to act in a way that will win her respect from the community.…
- 814 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Furthermore, Hosseini’s use of “disclosed” suggests that this information is private, as if Soraya’s disobedience can’t be publicly discussed, due to the vast disrespect for her family this disobedience conveys. In fact, the price Soraya must pay for her actions becomes clear when Baba calls her a “decent girl, hardworking, and kind. But no Khastegars, no suitors, have knocked on the general's door since” (Hosseini 157). Soraya is socially punished for disobeying Khastegari, and although she appears to be a reasonable choice for a mate, she’s has no offers because she is deemed completely untouchable and tainted. Hosseini uses the traditional word “Khastegars” rather than suitors to show how this patriarchal system affects the way Pashtun men view Soraya, from the general to Baba to the many possible suitors in her community.…
- 1701 Words
- 7 Pages
Better Essays -
Women have been faced with oppression almost all their lives. Society, spouses and families play a huge role in oppressing women, making them society’s puppets. Authors of the 20th century like Charlotte Gilman and Joyce Oats, were able to break the silence, and voice their opinions and concerns in short stories like “The Yellow Wallpaper” written by Charlotte Gilman, and “Where are you now, where are you going” by Joyce oats.…
- 888 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
This paper aims to show that the world today is still a space governed by the male gaze and that women are still in their lowest height in terms of social equality and society’s perception. Through the vast commodities, everyone is still to question about why and how women will overcome the stereotypical world.…
- 1942 Words
- 8 Pages
Powerful Essays -
In the story, “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid, the idea and tone come from a mother, who raises her child on her own past experiences and control of being a woman in her time and tradition, she is a guide to her own daughter in this changed world, to discipline her daughters new ways and views on society and their culture on how it used to be. The author shows in the story how she thinks the women should dress, behave and the jobs they should do.…
- 591 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Throughout the term of her life, a female experiences certain rites of passage that mark her advancement from a good girl, into a young lady and from this, into an adult woman. These rites are not correlated to any specific individual or event, but rather highlight the common themes found in the female experience. In this discourse, I will illustrate how the scenarios in Lynda Marín’s work, “Her Rites of Passage,” are synonymous with the rites of passage all women encounter. In other words, I will highlight the chronological metamorphosis from girl to woman to expose the prevalent formalities such as concepts of fear, shame, and sexualization, that dominate the female existence. It is imperative to address that these traditional acts include…
- 1410 Words
- 6 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Das does not try to show affection towards Mrs. Das. Hiding behind his camera, Mr. Das is unaware of what really is going on around them. Instead of taking in his surroundings Mr. Das will only remember through looking at his pictures. Mr. Das likes to think there is nothing wrong with his life however, his marriage is not passionate or thoughtful. “She was lost behind her sunglasses, ignoring her husband’s request that she pose for another picture, walking past her children as if they were strangers” (Lahiri 58). Mr. Das does not connect with his surroundings except through his camera and guide book. He does not notice his wife or bothers to see why she acts the way she does. Mrs. Das is inconsiderable and could care less of being in another picture with her family she doesn’t like. Mrs. Das opens up to Mr. Kapasi hoping he could help her because he is an interpreter of maladies. She confesses to him that her younger son, Bobby, is the product of an affair she had eight years ago. Mrs. Das slept with a friend of Mr. Das’s who came to visit while she was a lonely housewife and she has never told anyone before. Additionally, Mrs. Das reveals that she no longer loves her husband, whom she has known since she was a young child, and that she has destructive impulses toward her children and life. She asks Mr. Kapasi to suggest some remedy for her pain. “He decided to begin with the most obvious question, to get to the heart of the matter, and so he asked,” “Is it really pain…
- 1310 Words
- 6 Pages
Good Essays -
The protagonist in the story began to realize society’s views of her when her father introduced her to a salesman, while she was working outside, as his “new hired hand”. She was almost pleased until the salesman replied “I thought it was only a girl”. Even her grandmother bombarded her with commands, “Girls keep their knees together when they sit down.” And “Girls don’t slam doors like that.” The worst was when she asked a question and her grandmother…
- 1066 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays -
Education remained a dream for the women and the conception of human beings as morally and intellectually capable of being educated and civilized is refused, and the conviction of the moral and intellectual advancement of humankind would result in greater happiness for everybody is deliberately sidetracked. This and many more lifeblood threads are far stretched and inconsiderate with regard to women and their rights. The book introduces with the first story highlighting this very theme. The editor of the book Laxmi Holmstrom brings out a fabulous collection of short stories from very diverse walks of life dealing each of the stories with single theme of women being marginalized, harassed, humiliated – female discrimination. In this line, many stories are powerful on their own; most have some element that reflects on the position of the society. Male ascendancy is always at honour while female's is at stake. There is a vast disparity between an Indian…
- 2209 Words
- 9 Pages
Powerful Essays