In a great Man's House
In Ruth Prawer Jhabvala's "In a Great Man's House" the story happens in India where the social, religious and cultural situation is very different from what we have in our western society. The oppression of the Indian women, poverty and social casts are issues that are still very present in India. But, although the story take place in a setting very different from ours, it portrays basic features of the human personality which most people consider universal. The author describes in a brilliant and insightful manner the complex net of human relationships. She show to us the balance between power and powerlessness through Hamida's marriage with Khan Sahib. She also tell to us about the perception of ones self and the experience of motherhood.Hamida is in a situation of constant shifts between power and powerlessness. This frail balance depends on the reference fame she is in; she is powerful among her family but powerless at home. This power she has among her family comes to her because she is Khan Shib's wife. In addition to being the wealthiest member of her family she is the one with the highest social status. On the other hand, when she is at home she is powerless because Khan Sahib is in control.
[720,35]Even thought Hamida experiences powerlessness it does not make her more aware of such mistreatment, instead she applies her power on those who are weaker than her ( her family) in order to acquire self-esteem. Finally there is the difference in social cast between Hamida and her husband. Hamida also wants to have a sense of meaning and purpose to her life. Hamida's craving for such connection is obvious by her relationship with her niece. Her stubborn insistence on going to her niece's marriage even thought she knows that this is not an appropriate time for such an event reflects her craving for power that she has been deprived of from her husband. These feelings are directed toward her husband which she believes is the cause of her suffering. Mothers expect to always remain an advisor and a friend to their daughter as they follow in their footsteps and become wives and mothers themselves. By declaring the incompetence and laziness of the servants, " Just try and get your paid servants to do one half of the work that I do. This emotional connection is bi-directional, both the child and the mother see in one another someone to share their thoughts and feelings with, and provide them with emotional support. Hamida sees herself in her niece, " Their two faces were reflected in the heart-shaped glass surrounded by a frame carved with leaves and flowers. For an instant Hamida is in a world where she feels liberated and understood, her niece has become her daughter. The niece's desire to learn how to embroider is rewarding for Hamida in a way that a son could not be, "Please teach me, auntie, the girl begged, looking up at Hamida with her sad childish eyes.
Common topics in this essay:
Khan Sahib,
Man's House,
Khan Shib's,
khan sahib,
powerful family,
Heath Company,
shut jewel boxes,
physical dependence,
husband hamida,
motherhood hamida,
hamida's marriage,
powerless home,
children expected,
boarding school,
jewel boxes,
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Acceptance Essays
