P-8 Indian Literature in English Translation

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Nirmala by Munshi Premchand

Premchand is known to write about the life of common man and this book
also deals with an issue that has been faced by many. Unlike all other works
of Premchand which were mainly focused on farmers or poor people, Nirmala
is more of women centric and thus does not touches those areas. Premchand
has thrown light on the status of Indian women and how they are treated.
The situation has not changed much even now. Metropolitans might be
exceptions but, in the interior of the country, in those villages, were the
majority of Indians are supposed to be residing, situation is the same. From
the very moment she is born, the burden of family and its respect falls on her
shoulder and she had to sacrifice and compromise all through her life just to
keep her familys pride and honor.
Nirmala is the name of the central character of the novel. The book describes
the tragic story of her life. Through Nirmala Premchand has tried to depict
the problems associated with the multiple marriages and how a step mother
is being blamed for all the wrong things that happens and thus ultimately
lead to the destruction of a healthy rich family.
Nirmalas marriage was about to happen to a doctor in a rich Brahmin family
but because of the death of her father, a financial burden starts looming over
the Nirmalas family. Thus, paying the dowry becomes a concern. Her
marriage then happens to a widower, Munshi Totaram in his fortys who
brings Nirmala home in order to fill his first wifes place. He has three sons
and one sister living with him. He is a lawyer and is rich and respected in the
society. By marrying, he hopes that his children would get the love of a
mother and there would be someone to take care of his house too. His lost
hopes to live comes alive. But Nirmala could not find her dream man in him
as he was too old for her. Even then, she faked happiness in front of him.
Soon suspecting the beauty of Nirmala, her husband starts doubting the
relationship between his eldest son and Nirmala and so sends him to hostel.
All three children regret this, especially the eldest one. His health soon
deteriorates in the hostel. A catastrophes strikes the house of Nirmala. She
was now blamed for all that happened and the situation goes on to become
from bad to worse. The story wonderfully depicts that how everybody get
caught in the situation even though it is no ones fault.
P-8 Indian Literature in English Translation
Acquintances

P-8 Indian Literature in English Translation

Acquintances

P-8 Indian Literature in English Translation

Acquintances