As Guleri has nothing to look forward to the only form of happiness or excitement in her life is in the form of the “countdown to the harvest festival.” This suggest her bleak future and the readers sympathy who feels for her sad existence and for others like her greatly not only in India but in many other parts of the world.
All that Guleri ever did for almost everyday of the year were “ her daily chores, she fed the cattle, cook food for her parents-in-law and then sat back to work out how long it would be before someone came to fetch her from her parents’ village”. Unlike the western world where the women are educated and work for a living, this is totally different in the east as it is the culture for the woman to care for the parents and children and perform the regular household chores. Moreover in Hindu culture a woman is regarded as the property of her father and when married, her “ownership” is transferred to her husband
One might say that there is a regular practice of divorce and true love is vastly rare as in western society. However there is strong culture of love and gratitude between most couples and divorce is somewhat an unpopular choice between couples in this part of the world: “ It was at this fair that Manak had first seen Guleri and they had bartered their hearts to each other. Later, Managing to meet her alone, he remembered taking her hand and telling her, you are like unripe corn- full of milk.”
As Manak and Guleri feel that they are perfect for each other and true love will surely exist between them so therefore Guleri tells Manak “if you want me, go and ask my father for my hand.” The meaning of this quote is asking Manak to ask her father if he wishes for marriage as it is the culture for the parents to agree before the marriage takes place. As associated with this “it was customary to settle the bride price before the wedding which is almost an essential part of the marriage for the dowry to be given to the wife by the groom. However in relation to this the dowry is taken advantage of in the form of a relatively substantial amount and it is usually villagers who take advantage of this in a profitable manner. On purpose the author mentions “bride price” and not “dowry” to emphasise the fact that Guleri is being sold. As Guleri father was “prosperous and had lived in cities, he had sworn that he would not take money for his daughter but would give her to a worthy young man from a good family.” He felt that Manak fulfilled “these requirements”, so soon after they married.
Now happily married, Manak “deep in memories” having “Guleri’s hand on his shoulder.” “As Guleri got up to leave”, she said “do you know the bluebell wood a couple of miles away from here?” “It’s said that anyone who goes through it becomes deaf.” So the customs of this part of the world just shows the element of superstition that they embrace within themselves as illustrated above.
When Manak returned home the sound of his “voice was heavy.” “Why do you croak like an old woman? Said his mother severely.” “Manak wanted to retort” but he remained silent. This goes to show the strong values and utmost respect that the children hold for their parents even though Manak was slightly insulted he managed to stay silent and keep his cool and this civilised behaviour shows the extensive powerful morals which are held in this part of the world.
As Guleri and Manak have been married for “seven years” without any children, “Manak’s mother had made a secret resolve that she would not let it go beyond the eighth year.” This goes to show that if a woman doesn’t produce any offspring then she doesn’t hold any values and it shows how keen Manak’s mother is willing to have a grandson in the family. This year “she had paid five hundred rupees to get him a second wife.” As Manak “was obedient to his mother” he brought a new bride just to please his mother however “Manak’s body responded to the new woman but his heart was dead within him.” So it just goes to show that love is there forever and can never be destroyed no matter what occurs.
Manak’s friend Bhavani says him in the fields one morning, Manak tried to ignore him however this didn’t work out the way he hoped. He then heard the words, which will haunt him for the rest of his life “Guleri is dead” because “when she heard of your second marriage, she soaked her clothes in kerosene and set fire to them.” Hearing those words “pierced through Manak’s heart like a needle”, “Manak mute with pain could only feel his own life burning out.” This goes to show that his love for her and her love for him were still very much alive and the traditions of forced marriages which sadly occur in many sub continental countries have devastating affects especially if love is evident between the couple. Guleri burning herself to death symbolises the cultural practise of “Sati” by which a widow burns herself although this is outlawed in India still exists in rural communities. Although Guleri was technically not a widow her husband was as good as “dead” to her and being a rejected bride unable to produce children her life in Hindu culture was now meaningless.
As the days passed his work was done on the fields and “ate his meals when they were given to him.” “But he was like a dead man, his face blank, his eyes empty.
As this marriage was purely to fulfil his mother’s desires the love was not there and his wife said, “I am not his wife,” complained his second wife. “ I’m just someone he happened to marry. This also goes to show that Manak loved Guleri but he couldn’t go against the wishes of his mother this is because of the culture.
Soon after Manak’s wife was pregnant and his mother’s dreams had been fulfilled, but Manak’s life had been shattered. The baby was placed into his lap, “Manak stared at the new-born babe in his lap he stared a long time, uncomprehending ,his face usual expressionless.” “Then suddenly his blank eyes filled with horror and Manak began to scream.” “take him away!” he shrieked hysterically , “take him away! He stinks of kerosene. It goes to show that forced marriages, which occur in many countries in the subcontinent have devastating affects as is implied by the story. It is very sad that a love marriage is broken up due to the fulfilment of others, which leads to death and shattered lives.
This story clearly conveys the message to the readers the differences in culture between West and the East and also shows the different roles of each person and how the role of parents influences the lives of people in this part of the world.
