The Concept of New Woman in Anita Desai's Clear Light of the Day and Manju Kapur

13 Pages·2014·0.5 MB·English

প্রতিধ্বতি the Echo
A Journal of Humanities & Social Science
Published by: Dept. of Bengali
Karimganj College, Karimganj, Assam, India
Website: www.thecho.in

The Concept of New Woman in Anita Desai’s Clear Light of the
Day and Manju Kapur’ Home
Khuraijam Artishowri Devi1, Dr. Reena Sanasam2
Abstract

Anita Desai and Manju Kapur are the well known Indian women novelists who represent the
pain and conflict of the modern educated women that struggle between tradition and
modernity on the one hand and individuality and independence on the other hand. The
women characters in their novels choose to fight and protest against the traditional and
culturally accepted norms and currents of society. They are also facing the responsibilities by
trying to fit themselves in the socio cultural modes of the changed society. In Anita Desai’s
Clear Light of the Day and Manju Kapur’s Home represent the image of new woman who
struggle between tradition and modernity to establish her own identity by being economically
independent and without depending on her male counterpart - be on the father, the husband,
the brother or the son. Anita Desai and Manju Kapur in their novels delineate the image of
new woman who demands to hold the same position and status like that of man in the society
with equal sexuality and rights. They are the rebellious women who seek self-discovery, self-
respect, self autonomy and self govern as they are caught between feudal values and the fast
approaching new life.

Introduction: The concept of New society. Therefore, this woman chooses to
Woman has emerged after a long way protest and fight against the age old
journey into the exploration of her strong traditional beliefs and accepted norms and
urge to be identified as an individual and currents of the society. She also gives
personal autonomy - independent more emphasis in exploring her true
womanhood with free mind and spirit. At potential to improve her low position in
the same time, she also struggles to bring family and society as well. Therefore, K.
changes in society through the abolition of Meera Bai states, “The word New Woman
sexist attitudes and patriarchal domination. has come to signify the awakening of
Critic like Simone De Beauvoir asserts women into a new realization of her place
“one is not born but rather become a and position in family and society.
woman” (Beauvior 295). Thus, feminists‟ Conscious of her individuality, the new
explores the idea of womanhood and the woman has been trying to assert her rights
importance of them in the male dominated as a human being and is determined to
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fight for equal treatment with man.” (Qtd with separate identities and individuality.
in Srivastava 15-16) Besides this, Seshadri Mary Wollstonecraft who is also
comments “The new woman is assertive considered as the „mother of feminism‟
and self-willed searching to discover true raises voice for women‟s education and
self.” (Qtd in Sandhu & Maan 351) She institution of marriage. In the late 19th
does not particularly sought or raises voice century, the concept of New Woman is
of equality and rights of a woman alone popularized by Henry James and
but traces more about her space, represented the images of new woman
recognition, respect, and understanding through the female characters Isabel
from her male counterpart. She also Archer in The Portrait of a Lady and
challenges the modern man that she is no Daisy Miller in Daisy Miller. Again, in
more passive and docile but a kind of different literary texts this New Woman
woman who has potential to change the has been reflected and makes an
traditional fanciful thoughts and feelings. appearance in Maria Edge Worth‟s
Besides this, the new woman‟s eagerness Belinda, (1801) Elizabeth Barrett‟s Aurora
for education and job is mainly to stand as Light (1856), Ibsen‟s A Doll’s House
an economically independent figure, to (1879), Henry Arthur Jones‟ The Case of
improve womanhood and to choose a life Rebellious Susan (1894), Shaw‟s Mrs.
in a way she wants to fulfill her urges and Warren’s Profession (1893) and Candida
needs. Neeru Tondon asserts: (1898). Thus the remarkable historian
The ‘new woman’ today Ruth Bordin states the new woman refers
challenges the traditional notions to a type of woman who has potential to
of ‘Angel in the house’ and control over her own life either in
‘sexually voracious’ image. The personal, social or economic. The
new woman is essentially a women‟s writing in the 20th century
woman of awareness and explores the image of new woman through
consciousness of her low position the female protagonists who fight against
in the family and society and the traditional Victorian culture and the
tries to improve it. (Tondon 26) old codes of conduct and morality. They
The new woman is basically remarked also challenge and oppose the Victorian
as a feminist ideal that gradually emerged male perception of woman as angel in the
in Europe and North America in the late house and the notion of woman‟s proper
nineteenth and early twentieth century. place is home. Sarah Grand, George Eliot
This woman questions the traditional and Thomas Hardy are the writers who
gender norms and fought for equality in went on projecting the images of „New
various spheres of life like economic, Woman‟. Besides this, Charlotte Perkins
political, social, educational, sexual rights Gilman refers woman to follow the
and duties in patriarchal societies. modern path stretched out by professions
However, the emergence of new woman is and urge to leave the occupation of
identical with the feminists‟ ideal. She homemakers. Therefore, Mukherjee
challenges the institution of marriage and asserts,
encourages woman to set herself free from The new woman has become
male domination and to live her own life more vulnerable and her
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problems have increased. No Woods asserts, “The New Woman
longer can she retreat to the (fictional or real) challenged prevailing
seclusion of her kitchen and at Victorian attitudes such as Ware‟s and
the time the male domination has posited an alternative to the accepted and
tried to overpower her. But she acceptable “True or Ideal Woman”
has fought on to seek an identity. (Woods 6)
(Mukherjee 245) Anita Desai and Manju Kapur are the
Over the years, the age-old image of Indian women novelists who represent the
woman seems to be gradually shading off pain and conflict of the modern educated
into the image of new woman with the women that struggle between tradition and
spread of education in society. The patriarchy on the one hand and
concept of new woman and its acceptance individuality and independent on the other
in India is said to be the western import hand. The women characters in their
but it is not the blind imitation or novels are aware of the dilemma and
transplant. In fact it is due to the changes choose to fight and protest against the
going on everywhere. The Indian women traditional and culturally accepted norms
novelists have given a new dimension in and currents. They also face the
portraying the image of new woman. Their responsibilities and try to fit themselves in
novels explore female subjectivity and the socio cultural modes of the changed
struggle for an identity in the patriarchal society. In their novels, they represent the
society. Therefore, novelists like Kamala new woman who struggle between
Markandeya, Nayantara Sahgal, Shashi tradition and modernity in order to
Deshpande, Arundhati Roy, Anita Desai, establish their identity and to live an
Shobha De and Manju Kapur have given economically independent life without
the image of new woman through their depending on their male counterparts - be
works. Nayantara Sahgal‟s novels present on the father, husband, brother or son.
the emergence of new woman who is no Anita Desai and Manju Kapur in their
longer considered woman as a sex object novels delineate the picture of rebellious
but someone who claims to be man‟s equal women who seek of self-discovery, self-
partner. Shobha De‟s heroines are respect, self autonomy and self govern as
economically independent and they enjoy they are caught between feudal values and
sexual life not only with their husbands but the fast approaching new life. They are
also with other men. Her female characters struggling to strike a balance between
lead a completely free life without any society and self. Thus Anita Myles asserts
restrictions. These qualities are the image that, the women in Desai‟s novels do not
of new woman according to Shobha De‟s give up the strife so easily.
perspective. The woman characters in They indulge in self-analysis, self
Shashi Despande‟s novels are caught in discovery and ultimately
the process of redefining and rediscovering compromise with the situation to
their roles and position in society. She live life stoically becoming assets
presents the modern Indian womanhood to the family by developing the
who rebels, rejects and seeks freedom power of sustenance. True
from the traditional norms. Therefore, enough some women characters
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prefer to remain in the world of in other words, to enable the individual to
illusion while many others attain such habits of virtue as will render it
endeavour to find a way out. independent.” (Wollstonecraft 89) Like
(Myles 37) her, Anita Desai spreads the notion of
At the same time, the women characters woman‟s education through her female
in Manju Kapur‟s novels are trying to character Bimla. Bimla says to her sister
maintain the balance between family and Tara why the Mirsa girls Jaya and Sarla
society. Her women characters are the are so much in hurry to get married instead
personification of new women who of going to college. Though the two sisters
struggle between tradition and modernity. are already sixteen and seventeen years old
Gupta asserts, yet she insists, “…they‟re not educated
It is their individual struggle with yet, they haven‟t any degrees. They should
family and society through which go to college.” (Desai 220) Unlike them,
they plunge into a dedicate effort her ambition is to live an emotionally and
to carve an identity for economically independent life. She wants
themselves as qualified women to dress and smoke like man with the
with faultless backgrounds. desires of full independence and
(Gupta 3) confidence. Therefore, Tondon comments
Bimla as a New Woman in Clear Light the new woman‟s eagerness for “education
of the Day: In Clear Light of Day Anita and job have offered her equal opportunity
Desai portrays Bimla as a personification and status to choose a life she wants, travel
of new woman who is confident and the world and satisfy her desires.” (Tondon
courageous to live independently in 126)
society. She is an educated woman and by In patriarchal society, woman is always
profession she is a history teacher at defined in relation to man. They are
College. If she had depended on her father treated as subordinate beings rather than
for education she would have remained an considering a part of human species. So,
illiterate woman living under the man‟s Anita Desai wants to break the
authority. Anita Desai delineates the conventional practice of looking at woman
character of Bimla as a strong, self as dependable and inferior to man through
autonomy and independent woman who her protagonist Bimla who ignores to
struggles for education, “Father never marry with her family doctor, Dr. Bishwas.
bothered to teach me. For all father cared, She wants to break the notion of woman as
I would have grown up illiterate – and object or „Other‟ to man. Therefore,
cooked for my living or swept. So I had to Somnath Paul states, “the „Other‟ indicates
teach myself history and teach myself to the peripheral position always occupied by
teach.” (Desai 242) In A Vindication of the woman within the patriarchal and other
Rights of Woman, Mary Wollstonecraft masculinist cultures,… This construction
voices the right of woman‟s education. of „Woman-as-Other‟ is crucially
According to her opinion, the most perfect addressed by the concept of „New
education “is such an exercise of the Woman‟.” (Paul 68) Therefore, Bimla
understanding as is best calculated to rejects the traditional concept of marriage
strengthen the body and form the heart. Or, and prefers to remain single as well as an
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independent woman. Thus she thinks, problems either in family business or
there are many other things to be done personal matter. She doesn‟t like anyone to
rather than getting married. feel sympathy or either show kindness on
I don’t marry,… I shall work – I her. She turns out to be a new woman who
shall do things,… I shall earn my is independent, assertive, strong, confident
own living - and look after Mira and self oriented woman who lives without
Masi and Baba and - and be the help of the masculine forces. She
independent. (Desai 221) becomes an example of what Beauvior
Bimla is a silent rebellious woman who says,
establishes her identity as a teacher and Once she ceases to be separate,
becomes an economically sufficient the system based on her
woman. Though she is single she takes up dependent crumbles; between her
all the responsibilities of a family and and the universe there is no
obligations of life. Thus, after the death of longer any need for a masculine
her parents, the responsibilities of the mediator. (Beauvior 142)
family become a part of her life. She plays Bimla has been cheated by her selfish
a double role, on one hand like a single sister Tara and brother Raja who married
mother and on the other act as a father and settled down, leaving behind the
figure in the family. She has confidence in responsibilities of Baba, Mira Masi and
herself that she would withstand and look father‟s business. But she is ready to see
after her tuberculosis patient brother Raja, them in the light of understanding and
mentally retarded brother Baba and the forgiveness. Such qualities of courage and
marriage of her sister Tara. Therefore, confidence pave the way for fulfilling her
Anita Desai exhibits financially self ambitions. Therefore, Tara and Bakul
sufficient woman who can overcome the realize and comment about her,
problems and responsibilities that come to Bim had found everything she
one‟s life. Through Bimla, Desai tries to wanted in life. It seemed so
demonstrate that violence and oppression incredible that she hadn’t had to
against woman can be diminished or go anywhere to find it that she
eradicated if she is emotionally free and had stayed on in the old house
financially strong. taught in the old college, and yet
Thinking about the responsibilities of it had given her everything she
the family and her retarded Baba, she wanted. Isn’t that strange
rejects the proposal of a doctor, though she Bakul… she did not find it – she
likes and finds him good. She keeps made it, she made what she
herself in control and feels strong to be wanted. (Desai 246)
independent even if there is lots of burden Tara is weak, docile and submissive as
over her. Being a teacher, she is more compared to Bimla. She does not have
interested in buying and reading books courage to struggle and face the problems
rather than keeping affair with doctor for and responsibilities of family like her
her marriage. The character of Bimla sister. Therefore she is married to Bakul
shows that like man she can manage and who is much older to her. She receives
look after the family and can solve the much attention and care from him which
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she always craves from her family together. But Nisha is mentally and
members at home. Later on she does not psychologically disturbed because of his
find happiness in following her husband‟s indifferent attitude and incestuous abuse.
orders and remains as an obedient wife. Nobody understands her silent suffering
Thus she feels that she should stop being and miserable life. Besides this, she cannot
submissive to her husband as she seeks for eat and sleep because of frequent
freedom and individuality. Now she harassment. Thus, Nisha is send to aunt
realizes that Bim has everything that she Rupa‟s house for a change and to erase
doesn‟t have. Therefore, she asserts, frustrated atmosphere of her own home.
Now, I understand why you do Rupa and her husband Premnath
not wish to marry. You have understand the problems and miserable
dedicated your life to others – to conditions of Nisha. They realized that
your sick brother and aged aunt Vicky was the one who made Nisha‟s life
and your little brother who will fearful and terrified. Therefore, Nisha as a
be independent on you all his child becomes the centre of interest,
life. You have sacrificed your concern and attention. Nisha returns back
own life for them. (Desai 154) home after eleven years from her aunty‟s
Anita Desai paints the concept of new house to accompany her grandmother.
woman through Bimla who plays the role With family wedding around, Nisha has
of a responsible man and performs manly been obtaining seventy percent in
duties for the family. Being a single Humanities in her board exam. Thus, she
woman she breaks the traditional norms is given the privilege of continuing her
and beliefs. She rebels against the general further studies. Being a mangli girl, she is
currents of the patriarchal society. She is destined to marry only a prospective
brave enough to reject the traditional value mangli groom. Therefore, it is true to say
system and accept the new way of modern that in Manju Kapur‟s novels “education
life style. for a daughter is seen as an alternate
Representation of New Woman in option of marriage.” (Ghosh 16) For this
Home: In the novel Home, Nisha is a purpose, she is admitted in Durga Bai
grand-daughter of Banwari Lal, and a College for studying English Literaure.
beautiful daughter of Sona and Yashpal. She realizes the real intention of her
She is the female character around which family‟s sustaining for higher studies.
the whole novel revolves. Since childhood Thus, Nisha delineates,
she had to face discrimination against Higher studies were just a time
female. In her young age, she has been pass. It was not as though she
tortured and sexual abused by her cousin was going to use her education.
brother Vicky. Thus, she is frightened and Working was out of the question,
fretful of his attitude and behaviour. He is and marriage was around the
the son of Murli and Sunita, the only corner. (Kapur 141)
daughter of Banwari Lal. After his mother In course of time, she meets Suresh
death, he is under the care of Nisha‟s who is studying in Khalsa College of
mother, Sona. Therefore, both Nisha and Engineering. Comparing with Nisha
Vicky grow together, play and make fun family, Suresh is poor and at the same time
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belongs to a lower T h i s r o u g h a n d b o l d w o r d s s h o w t h a t
caste . Nisha is totally changed after Nisha is against the age-old traditional
meetings with him two or three times. marriage but forcefully stands up for her
Both of them became friends and later they own choice in her conservative family. She
fell in love. They roam around the doesn‟t want to be any more than a doll in
University lawns. She turns out to be the house to be sold in market at any rate.
independent and confident woman. Her But, Yashpal thinks that he is unfit for his
going to college shows the feeling of daughter,
adventurous, daring and modern as well. Nisha, dear daughter, leave all
Therefore, she enjoys her own life and thoughts of this dirty low caste
decided to do things on her own without man, what can he give you
taking the permission of her parents. Thus, command to what we can
her mother rebukes, arrange for you? (Kapur 199)
Who gave you permission to On the other hand, when the entire
cut your hair, suddenly you matter comes into limelight, Nisha‟s
have become so independent, brother calls her as an untrustworthy
you decide things on your own, woman to which she replies with anger,
where did you find the money, "Who you are to decide whether I am
the time, the beauty palour, trustworthy" (Kapur 198). This rebellious
where did you find all these comment reflects the concept of modern
things? (Kapur 149-50) woman who wishes to live in her own
Though Nisha enjoys being together decision. Thus, comments, “Her courage is
with Suresh but she is also conscious praiseworthy in struggling with the
about her study. Thus she tells to Suresh, meanness of life to find her place in an
“I can‟t meet you, I have to study, I have uninformed society…” (Wankhede 151)
to get a second division at least……” All days Nisha remains silently in her
(Kapur 151) Somewhere down the line, own home as “a prisoner of her deed, a
their relationship does not reach their prisoner of their words.” (Kapur 200) She
destiny. Nisha‟s parents do not like Suresh is distrusted and is not allowed putting a
because of different caste. Though he tries foot outside under all circumstances. Thus,
to convince to his beloved family that his she is accompanied by her brother Raju
love and intention is pure but her parents and her uncle Prem Nath when she goes to
are against their relation. He furthers say meet Suresh. Being an educationalist,
that “He only wanted Nisha. No dowry Prem Nath is disappointed of Nisha‟s
and no fancy wedding, he didn‟t even care behaviours. Manju Kapur represents the
if she was a mangli.” (Kapur 199) On image of a modern rebellious woman of
hearing his words, Nisha is moved by his the modern society through the protagonist
nobility and says to her mother, “who Nisha, who can raise voice to fulfill her
cares about caste these days? What you desires. Thus she argues to her uncle,
really want is to sell me in the market.” “Uncle, this is the modern age…. What
(Kapur 199) She further expresses her harm is there if first we got to know each
painful feelings “Sell me and be done with other? How can I tell him to send his
it. What are you waiting for” (Kapur 199) family to talk to my family if I don‟t know
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him first.” (Kapur 201) Besides this, being an educated woman she wants to be
Suresh declares that he cannot marry her independent and prefers to do the same
and leaves her. Their marriage cannot business like her brothers.
materialize as Nisha's family proves it Nisha does not have her own home to
fatal. Above this, his rejection and occupy herself with. Therefore, she joins
disagreement to make their relation clear Play-way school even though she does not
gives her more pain, sorrow and anguish. want to become a teacher by profession.
She spends a restless night as the She begins to work and at the same time
memories haunted her again and again. realizes that the job would be an object of
Even if she tries to read the book but it devotion rather than a husband. Besides
makes no sense of the words. After three this she wants something more exciting
years of her relationship with Suresh, she rather than working in school for only four
has to adjust with another new man in his hours. She wanted a job that kept her busy
place thinking that he would be her future. from morning to night like her father,
Nisha badly suffers from eczema as she uncle and brothers as it would increase her
has undergone difficulties in life. She lives respect and value at home. Nisha is a
in her own house like a prisoner. Thus she strong, determined and confident woman
says, “She played the part of the king in who raises voice for equality with man,
chess. She needed to be protected, as “The men were occupied from morning to
without her there could be no game. The night. She needed an equally absorbing
moves concerning her were carefully occupation. There must be other things in
planned, but she herself was powerless, the world.” (Kapur 277)
quiescent, mute and waiting.” (Kapur 217) In spite of all this, Nisha still suffers
After completing her BA Degree, she from the marginalization and
requests to study fashion designing instead inferiorisation imposed by the patriarchal
of sitting silently at home every day society. She is also being humiliated and
waiting for the matching husband. But her discriminated on the one hand and
mother does not agree with her proposal. ignoring like an untouchable person on the
Thus she remains idle at home doing other hand. Thus, she turns out to be an
nothing and gradually lost her spirit as Indian woman who seeks to become
well. But in course of time, Nisha realizes herself as a human being with respect and
that she needs to do something and at the dignity rather than staying at home where
same time does not want to stay within the there is no place for her. Thus she says to
four walls of the house. Therefore, Manju her father that, “I can go to an ashram. At
Kapur portrays character like Nisha who least there I can live with dignity and
fights in her own way for equal treatment respect.” (Kapur 281) Moreover, she is not
with man and revolts to prove her separate allowed to touch her sister-in-law‟s little
identity irrespective of her male daughter thinking that her skin problem
counterparts. Thus she pleads to her father may get infected to the baby. Meanwhile,
saying that, “I have seen girls working in Nisha gets fed up of her teaching job and
shops, why should it be only Ajay, Vijay wishes to do a business of readymade
and Raju? There must be something I too salwar suits. Her approach of doing
can do.” (Kapur 267) This shows that business is another storm in the family
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because the women in their family never continuing her business even after their
entered in this field. They are staying marriage. Finally they get married.
within the house while men are out of it. Therefore, Nisha is so much conscious of
When she consults with her father, he her individuality, freedom and confidence
states, “Business is not an easy thing.” on the one hand and her business and
(Kapur 290) After some thoughtful future identity on the other hand. Before
consideration and suggestion she begins to their marriage Nisha reveals her wishes to
start her own business keeping the name as Arvind,
„Nisha Creation‟. She exhibits her skills I cannot give it up’ she confided
and managing capabilities in making her this was the only thing she could
business a good success. It flourishes day visualize in any marriage, that
by day and the demand of suit increase in she had to come to the basement
the market as well. She turns into a every day. (Kapur 303)
business woman and feels; “She would not After her marriage, Nisha continues her
only be the daughter of a prosperous man, business and performs the responsibility of
but be responsible for wealth herself.” being a wife, daughter in law and
(Kapur 286) Therefore, her involvement businesswoman. Thus, Woods rightly
in this profession is a kind of challenges says, “Marrried new woman did not want
that a woman too has the capability and to be defined primarily by their roles as
personality to establish business like man wives and mothers, and they worried more
even though it is a tough profession. Thus, about self - identity…” (Woods 7-8)
Santosh S. Huse rightly comments, Her regular visit to see the work of tailor
In the novel 'Home' heroine does not continue for long due to her
Nisha, is a new women, a more pregnancy. Her mother-in-law takes good
assertive, self-assured; and care of her and do not let her go for the
confident one. By equally footing business. Therefore her life becomes more
with men, she proclaims her pathetic as she is to sit silently within the
womanhood in a bold manner. As house. After ten months she gives birth to
a young college girl, she wants to twins, a girl and a boy. She is happy and
apply her one brain and power to satisfied with the role of being a mother
work as a businesswoman. She and feels blessed too. In this novel, Nisha
wants to represent the woman of is portrayed as an individual woman who
the new millennium in its real tries to occupy her own space at home and
sense. (Huse 6) society. She is the representative of new
Meanwhile, Yasphal starts searching a woman who tries to assert same status with
suitable match for his daughter. Her first man and applies her power and capabilities
proposal fails because of her past affair to be known as a successful
with Suresh and second proposal turns out businesswoman. Therefore, Nisha‟s quest
to be a eunuch. Ultimately, he finds a for identity is relevant to what Sehgal
mangli boy name called Arvind who lives comments in Sunday Standard,
in Daryagang and has a business there. He Whole new look at women – not
is a widower and the only son of his as the property of father,
parent. He agrees to Nisha‟s desire of husband or son… (Gaujan 113)
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Manju Kapur‟s female characters like anywhere, never go to India
Rupa and Pooja are also the representation Gate, restaurants or films, and
of new woman of the Indian society. Rupa always sit at home. (Kapur 24-
is married to Prem Nath after her BA 25)
degree. She is not so good looking like her Rupa‟s business flourishes day by day
sister Sona who is fair and attractive. as she supplies her pickles and sweet
Rupa‟s husband is a clerk with a meagre chutneys to local restaurants as well as
salary in a Defence Ministry. Though she shops. She even hires a woman in order to
is a childless woman yet she never seems help her out. In course of time, she
to bother about it. She is not that much of a becomes a successful businesswoman and
sufferer like her sister who keeps on focuses her attention more on financial
fasting in order to get pregnant. Instead success rather than thinking about an
“she accepted her fate, she didn‟t spend elusive baby. She is a courageous and
every Tuesday fasting…..” (Kapur 16) determined woman who wishes to buy car,
Therefore, she neither regrets of her fate go on more holidays and earn enough
nor does she feels anguish of being money to buy out the tenant who is
childless woman. Rupa is a strong and causing lots of tension to her husband and
courageous woman who sets up her mind father-in-law.
to establish the pickle business made by In spite of all this, Rupa and Prem Nath
her own hands. She is intelligent as well as keep Nisha in their house and look after
innovative. her with great care and love. Moreover,
As long as her products were they take care of her studies too. Rupa is a
good, orders were plentiful. Rupa new woman who breaks the traditional
worked hard at her recipes, beliefs and norms. She does not believe in
experimenting with new ones and the ritual ceremony of Karva Chauth
expanding her repertoire. (Kapur where every Indian woman fasts for the
16) life long of her husband. When Nisha asks
Moreover, she does not want to sit idle why she is not performing the ceremony,
at home and depends on her husband‟s she replies “You think the whole world
salary. She wants to be economically fast for their husband?” (Kapur 95)
independent woman so that she can Therefore, she is a modern educated
contribute the extra income in other woman who is against the traditional
enjoyment of life. She shares her norms and currents. She feels that when
difficulties and responsibilities of life with Nisha should be thinking of her studies,
Sona. She utters, her mother had forced her to think of her
I have to work very hard with the future husband. Knowing all this, Rupa
pickles, just to make a little extra highlights the parent‟s attitude towards
money. The case costs a lot, he their son and daughter. She told Nisha that
sends his sister an allowance she should not be worried about whether
every month, we even buy the Raju is good in studies or not as he would
cheapest tickets at cinema in definitely inherit his father‟s property in
order to save. If I didn’t have this future. Thus, she encourages Nisha to
extra income, we would never go
Volume-II, Issue-III January 2014 174