A Question of Dowry

bySiew Yew Killingly

Adam Ariff Anil Raj

TSL 3102 Literature in English

CulturalGender

(Feminism)

Literary Criticism

Cultural

In India, dowry or dahej is the payment

in cash or/and kind by the bride’s 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

Dowry

Although dowry is legally prohibited in

1961, it continually to be highly institutionalized

The groom usually demands a large sum of money, farm, animal’s etc

Example: In the story, Thiruchelvam’s family demanded twenty thousand dollars as the dowry from the bride’s family.

E1: “Twenty thousand dollars is not to be scoffed at”

E2: “that’s 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!..Don’t 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, I’m 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.

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

Arranged Marriage

As we read through the story, the

daughter is going to be engaged to a doctor.

E1:“Sivasothie, you are a very lucky girl. You’ll have a doctor for your husband – and Mrs Muthu will have a fit from envy.” page33.

However, due to the incapability of the bride’s family to fulfill the dowry as promised, the wedding had be called-off.

E1:“Thiruchelvam, having less faith in Mrs Ramachandran’s 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) Sivasothie (The Bride)

Well Educated Unstated Education

Stable Income Unknown Income Source

Doctor Jobless

Upper Class Family Middle Class Family

Social Class

Feminist theory

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

FEMINIST LITERARY CRITICISM

Indian women has no rights to choose their

partner and they have no freedom Only arranged marriage, won’t ask the bride’s

opinion Example: Mr. Rama chooses the groom for

Sivasothie

A Question of Dowry- Marriage

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 groom’s 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 couldn’t 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

A Question of Dowry- Dowry

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

Perception on women

As a conclusion women in India has no

freedom and rights to decide their own life