The attitude to abortion and it’s relation to the Indian society

First of all has to be said that in the Indian society the people seem to look much more on physical changes or appearances than e.g. in Europe. As it is said in the text, Maji recognizes very early that the narrator is pregnant, long before she even notices it. Accordingly, she warned her to be careful, because in a few days all midwives in the town will follow her, noticing her special way of walking and holding. This job seems to be widely spread, because also Maji’s mum and grandmother were midwives, who taught her everything they knew. By that we can conclude that most of the midwifes are not academically accomplished women, but normal wives who learnt their profession by practice and the knowledge that their ancestors bequeathed (”[...] spent several years going to holy places to pick up whatever instruction she could” P. 128, ll. 23-24).

In addition, abortion appears to be an often used way to get rid of unintentional children. Only after telling her a bit about her life, Maji offers the narrator to perform an abortion, if she wanted it. She already did it several times, some years ago, and still does know everything about it.

As we gather from the text, a pregnancy in India is not the same as here in Europe or the USA. Probably, a wife has to be married first and also after it, shouldn’t become pregnant if it’s not the right time. “[...] In some cases it is the only way to save people from dishonour and suffering“(P. 129, ll. 8-9). That indicates the attitude towards unwanted pregnancies. It seems to be like in our society, but some hundred years ago, when children were born out of wedlock and their mothers were discriminated and a disgrace for their families. Because of that, many had to marry because of a pregnancy, or were hidden somewhere far away from their homes.

What happens at Baba Fidaus’ grove with the narrator and Inder Lal?

Shortly before the planned picnic with Inder Lal the narrator is not sure anymore about having done the right decision. In fact, it was she who suggested to do a picnic near the shrine, alone. But as they arrive she changes her idea quite quickly, as the grove appears in a very idyllic way and she felt like “being received in Paradise”(P. 117, l.3). It was all silent, only the sound of birds and flowing water could be perceived, very different from her memory of the Husbands Wedding Day.

For Inder Lal it is a totally new experience, not going out with a vast crowd or people, or his numerous family members, but only with a single person. It has also some good aspects for him, because, as he says, he likes very much these outings in which it is possible to have serious conversations with only one single person and like that, to disclose the contents of one’s heart.

While eating, he unpacks two red strings, which serve to express wishes. As the are on their own he adds, that in this situation the wishes can be said aloud. So both of them try to guess the other ones wish and the narrator succeeds, knowing that Inder Lal’s wish has got something to do with his office. At that moment he understands that he should have wished something different, as she knows him very well.

After her discovery he seems to be a little confused, whereas the narrator’s only wish is to disclose the contents of her heart. He senses that she longs for his closeness and in that moment his lips begin to tremble. The next few moments and decisions are all up to her, he shows her his devotion, but still she can decide about letting things happen or not.

Later we get to know about her pregnancy.

I think that all the events happening there, lay in the narrator’s hands. She was the one to invite Inder Lal for the picnic, something she needn’t have done. Furthermore, she begins to talk to him of personal things, which causes some kind of intimate situation. Both of them maybe feel also lonely. The narrator because she’s alone in India, and Chid, who more or less used her, left for pilgrimage. Inder Lal’s wife instead has some mentally problems and id on pilgrimage, too. Both of them were left and as they like each other very much fall in love.

Source and copyright of the picture: Travelingtiger

Karim’s and Kitty’s relationship with India

Karim and Kitty are two Indian royals, to be precise, Karim is the Nawab’s nephew and heir. As the furnishing shows, they seem to have a close relationship to India( P. 93, ll. 1-3 (” [..] floor which was strewn with cushions, bolsters and rugs. Evrything was Indian, including most of the people there”, “sarod music..”)). Further more both of them want to make a contract with to friends, concerning the work with Indian materials.

As the narrator mentionns first Karim’s uncle, he sais him to have been a naughty boy like many others at that time (P. 93 ll. 30-32). All of the guests, including Karim and Kitty, would like to live in India, but feel disturbed by the current governement which makes it impossible to live there.
Like another woman in the room, Karim has ged rid of most of he treasures und the palace at Khatm, because e.g. it is impossible to change anything on the state of it, like making a hotel from it. The only things he kept are some familiar things, without a material value. Karim explains the narrator about the scandalous life the Nawab lived and how he handled with money. As an example he told her about a British woman (Olivia).
On another drawing is depicted Amanullah Kahn, shown at the end of his life, when already confirmed in his conquests, and not when he still “lived” in the saddle. He speaks of him with the same admiration the Nawab did before.

He adds also that sometimes he wishes to return to India, as he belongs to it. But soon the want to buy an apartement and serve the country with their in- and export.

The Exposition

What can be said about the exposition?

Well, I think all in all on this few pages is presented the whole story. We get to know all important information about the characters of the two plots, one playing in the 1970s, the year when the female narrator goes to India to retrace the mystery around Olivia, the main character of 1923. She eloped with an Indian Prince although she was married with Douglas, the future husband of the narrators grand mother Tessie, whose sister lives in India, too.

As we get to know, only as Douglas dies, thanks the arrival of Harry, an Englishman and old friend of the Nawab, Beth and Tessie talk again about Olivia and get in possess of the letters she wrote to her sister Marcia during the time 1923. Like that, the narrator
begins to feel interested in it, and finally makes the log trip to Bombay and Satipur,
making her own experiences.

By letting us know somehow the whole story the author evokes a feeling of curiosity
because now we can ask ourselves the question how this all happened and why Olivia
eloped with the Nawab, although she was married.