Two Stories

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Two Stories

A Coward

Summary

The story talks of two young individuals who were struggling in changing the caste system in the traditional setting of the Hindu people. The caste system was synonymous on the agreed basis of four kinds and then subsequently divided into further groupings. The caste system distinguished families, classes, and associations between people. There had to be limitation on the manner of lifestyle choices, marriages, and associations according to the belonging of particular castes. In the story, Keshav and Prema were two college students who belonged to different castes but were in love with each other. Keshav, being the male, believed in breaking from tradition and abandoning the pursuit of caste system within society. He wanted to marry Prema at any cost even though he knew his family would not approve of that. He set out to achieve it no matter the opposition and resistance.

            Prema belonged to a different caste and initiated the talk of a possible marriage with Keshav to her parents. The mother was strict on basing of the caste system while the father changed his stance on traditions and maintaining them after a while of concern. She was made to abandon her education for a while in order to keep off Keshav, but this did not deter the two of them. Time reached for the marriage’s occurrence and she wrote her letter to Keshav on the intentions of marrying him finally. On the other hand, her father sought Keshav’s father on the matter. The latter’s father disapproved and chased him off. After sending him the letter, Keshav decided to abide by his family’s traditions and neglect Prema’s hand in marriage due to fear. His response made Prema commit suicide due to the pain and heartbreak she suffered.

Reflection

 The story is significant in the decisions affecting people’s lives from the necessities of growth and development. Traditional and societal systems are important in the fabrics of living, but should not be used to restrict the freedom and rights of individuals. Similarly, the role of parents is for guidance, counseling, and advice to their children on matters concerning life due to their age, respect, and experience. However, the ultimate choice of choosing partners fro marriage ought to rest with the respective individuals. The unnecessary strain and reliance on traditions, places undue pressure within the society, which is negative energy for living. As demonstrated by Keshav and Prema, the results are always negative. Keshav bowed to pressure and gave up his dream of marrying the love of his life, while Prema could not stand the rejection from Keshav. She decided to die.   

A father

Summary

 Mr. Bhomwick was a father of one daughter with his wife. He had been brought up in India by hi mother before studying and getting a job. Having followed the caste system he had been betrothed a woman for marriage but did not like the idea. Instead, he sought a way out and met later wife. They settled in one of the outskirt cities of the country, much to the chagrin of the wife. Slowly, she turned from a simple woman into ambitious woman who had an impact in the life of the family as well as Mr. Bhomwick. Through her ambitious ways, they moved from the outskirt city into Bombay, transferred from India to Canada before acquiring citizenship in America, and settled in Detroit. The influence of the American culture and lifestyle had a differential setting to Mr. Bhomwick, his wife and daughter, who became an engineer.

            Mr. Bhomwick had been concerned on the lifestyle choices his daughter was akin to, especially with the lack of traditional upbringing from her mother. On the fateful day, Mr. Bhomwick had noticed that over time, she had become pregnant. Having confronted the issue, he set about to make peace between his wife and the daughter. He tried breaking off the fight, as the wife was agitated on the morals she was portraying for the family. Mr. Bhomwick reprimanded her of her actions towards the daughter, as he was glad that he could at last have a grandchild. Once the identity of the child’s father was sought, the daughter made a startling revelation. Babli, the daughter, revealed that a donor father had sired the child and she had passed through the artificial means of acquisition. It is then that Mr. Bhomwick brought the rolling pin onto the daughter’s stomach.   

Reflection

Despite values that humans stand for, their actions on obligated measure can be a surprise to people at an instant. Values and traditions that encourage good morals, representation from parent and children alike should be influenced in the society. Similarly, rules and effected deficit within families should promote healthy relationship and living. Superstitions should be dealt away with as they inhibit progress and peaceful coexistence among members of the society. The values that Mr. Bhomwick stood for were clearly missing when he decided to hot the daughter’s stomach with the rolling pin. It shows irony in Mr. Bhomwick’s part especially with the fear he had had over the daughter being caught between rules.