Whilst enjoying herself at the fair, she finds out that her husband has married another woman. Guleri is horrified, because unlike most Indian marriages, they actually did love each other, which was unusual. This is again a tradition which causes unhappiness, as marriage is a social contract, and is arranged by the parents. It is therefore unlikely for there to be love in an Indian marriage, so this is why Guleri is mortified that he has married another women. This is also a tradition that men can be polygamists to get what he or his family wants. Guleri is so upset she decides to commit suicide as she feels her life has no meaning.
Guleri soaked her clothes in Kerosene and set light to herself. The reason she chose this method of suicide is that Indians have many beliefs about fire. They believe if you are burnt alive all your previous sins will be forgiven. Fire also cremates evil, and brings out the goodness of your life, and that your sole will never die, as it will enter another person or animal. So this is why Guleri burnt herself, although this belief did not make her unhappy it affected her actions, as there would have been a lot more painless ways to kill herself.
The second main character in the story is Guleri’s husband, Manak. At the beginning of the story when Guleri is leaving for Chamba, Manak does not want her to go to the fair, as he feels that his mother is up to something “My mother…’ Manak did not finish his sentence” this shows that he does not want to tell Guleri, but he knows something is wrong. They begin to argue, and both characters become upset. As they are about to part Manak says “Guleri don’t, go away’ he pleaded her.” Therefore, this is the first tradition (the annual fair) which makes Manak unhappy, as he fears he will never see her again. He was particularly upset because he really did love his wife.
When Manak returns home from walking towards Chamba, his mother questions him “ Did you go all the way to Chamba?” he replied in a heavy voice and his mother told him not to croak like an old woman. We know from this that relations between Manak and his mother are somewhat strained. We can tell this from this quote as well, “Manak wanted to retort, ‘You are a women; why don’t you cry like one for a change!’” but instead he remained silent, as he feels that his mother is unable to empathize with him.
His mother wanted a grandchild to carry on the family name, but still after seven years, Guleri had not produced one, so Manaks Mother had arranged a second marriage for Manak for this reason. Manak could not refuse his mothers wishes, as she is the highest figure of the family, this is another tradition making Manak unhappy, as he may not have married if his father had arranged it. We can tell Manak does not want his child from this woman from this quote “… obedient to custom, Manak’s body responded to the new woman but his heart was dead within him.”
One morning Manak sees one of his friends, Bhavani, walking down the road to Chamba, who reminds Manak that it is the fair today. Manak knew his friend was against him marrying again because he says “ remember, we were in the same party seven years ago’ Bhavani did not say any more but Manak was conscious of the other man’s rebuke” this shows he feels what he has done is wrong, and that the tradition of marriage being a social contract makes him unhappy again.
The next day Bhavani returns from the fair looking very sad, “his face was sad and grey as a cinder” He is the bringer of bad news, he tells Manak his wife found out about the second marriage, and killed herself. We can tell he is mortified from this quote “mute with pain, could only stare and feel his own life burning out.” Awaiting his second wife to give birth to his child he “was like a dead man, his face blank, his eyes empty” Manak’s new wife knew she was not loved, and that she was bought to carry Manaks child “ I am not his wife,’ complained his second wife. ‘I’m just someone he happened to marry.’”
A son was duly born, his mother was rejoicing but Manak seemed to show no emotion “…as if he didn’t understand and his eyes were still empty.” The young baby was placed in Manaks arms, he just stared at it uncomprehendingly and his face again showed no expressions. “ Then suddenly his eyes filled with horror and Manak began to scream” Manak became delirious. “Take him away…Take him away! He stinks of Kerosene”
Manak believed his son smelt of kerosene, as another Indian belief is that humans have indestructible souls, and providing that the person has led a good life, without sin, they will enter new bodies, and that death is only the next stage into the path of rebirth. Therefore, Manak thought Guleri’s soul had entered his newborn son, and that is why he thought his child smelt of Kerosene, this is another belief upsetting a character.
Manaks mother is also an important character in the story, although she is not affected as much as her son and Guleri, she is also unhappy due to traditions and beliefs. Although, more importantly she is the cause of much unhappiness. Manak’s mother had made a secret resolve that if Manak and Guleri had not produced a child after seven years of marriage, she would find a second wife that could produce the grandchild she wanted. This was because children were needed to carry on the family name, so this is the first tradition Manak’s mother inflicts on her son making him unhappy. She also knew her son would obey her, as he knew marriage was a social contract.
Manak’s mother in a way is responsible for Guleri’s death, as she would not have killed herself if Manak had not married again.
In conclusion, Stench of Kerosene contains many traditions and beliefs that affect the character’s happiness and actions. I believe Manak’s mother is to blame for much of the unhappiness caused. However, Manak is an adult, and should have made his own decision about re-marrying, especially as he loved Guleri, regardless of any traditions stating whether or not he should marry just for a child.
