Adam Ariff Anil Raj TSL 3102 Literature in English

Literary Criticism
Cultural

Gender
(Feminism)

Cultural

Dowry
In India, dowry or dahej is the payment in cash or/and kind by the brides family Originated in upper caste families as wedding gift To help with marriage expenses and a form of insurance in case her in-laws mistreated her

Although dowry is legally prohibited in 1961, it continually to be highly institutionalized The groom usually demands a large sum of money, farm, animals etc Example: In the story, Thiruchelvams family demanded twenty thousand dollars as the dowry from the brides family. E1: Twenty thousand dollars is not to be scoffed at E2: thats more than I can say what Thangathurai gave his daughter when our son married her.. page31.

However, they could not afford to pay the dowry and the necklace for they had only a piece of disvalued land which cost them less than the amount they wanted it to be sold E1:Come now, wife!..Dont you remember? We have only one piece of land left from your dowry we sold the other two for our third and fourth sons weddings. page32. E2:About the land, Im afraid it is impossible to sell it at a quarter of its former price. You see, water has been seeping out from some well for about ten years and so the land is now too marshy for house-holding. page32.

Arranged Marriage
Indian generations are traditionally engaged in an arranged marriage by their elders Marriage is not only necessity for girl but a religious sacrament as well, since it was believed that a female virgin could never attain spiritual enlightenment in this world

As we read through the story, the daughter is going to be engaged to a doctor. E1:Sivasothie, you are a very lucky girl. Youll have a doctor for your husband and Mrs Muthu will have a fit from envy. page33. However, due to the incapability of the brides family to fulfill the dowry as promised, the wedding had be called-off. E1:Thiruchelvam, having less faith in Mrs Ramachandrans father, believed the news about the devalued land Mr Ramachandran had to let his wife and daughter know about the changed situation.

Though it is not stated directly in the short story that the marriage is arranged, logically we know the bridegroom and the bride seem to just meet and barely know each other In addition, if the marriage is based on love, the man would defend the marriage instead of rejecting it because of the dowry

Thiruchelvam (The Groom) Well Educated Stable Income

Social Class

Sivasothie (The Bride)

Unstated Education Unknown Income Source

Doctor
Upper Class Family

Jobless
Middle Class Family

Feminist theory

FEMINIST LITERARY CRITICISM

Gender Inequality and strive for equal rights Examines the role of women in literature Portraits the problem faced my women around the world through various form of literature

A Question of DowryMarriage
Indian women has no rights to choose their partner and they have no freedom Only arranged marriage, wont ask the brides opinion Example: Mr. Rama chooses the groom for Sivasothie

A Question of DowryDowry
Dowry plays a major role in an Indian wedding Turns to be a cruel action because if the father did not pay the dowry the grooms family rejects the bride and cancels the wedding Torture cases Because Siva is a female she is being controlled by al the men in her life Example : Thiruchelvam rejects Sivasothie after he get to know Mr.Rama couldnt afford to pay the dowry and cancel the wedding Shows women are mistreated in India due to dowry Men are superior to the women No consideration and rights are given to women and their feelings

Perception on women
The Indian society has a mind set that the role of women is to be a good wife by doing all the house chores and be hardworking Example: Mrs Rama scolds Thamby when he told to Thiruchelvam that the sister has been waiting for him for 2 hours


As a conclusion women in India has no freedom and rights to decide their own life