Name - AAMINA BELIM
Subject - ENGLISH, PAPER 14- LITERATURE
Year - TYBA SEM 6
Professor- AMENA MAM
College- MAHARANI SHRI NANDKUVARBA MAHILA ARTS AND COMMERCE COLLEGE
Class assignment
Story 1- That long silence by Shashi Deshpande
That Long Silence is a novel by Shashi Deshpande that explores the inner world of a middle-class Indian woman struggling with identity, marriage, and societal expectations. Below is a brief character description of the major characters:
1. JAYA (JAYASHREE)
Jaya is the protagonist and narrator of the novel. She is an educated, sensitive, and intelligent woman who once aspired to be a writer. However, after marriage, she suppresses her individuality to fit into the role of an ideal wife and mother. Throughout the novel, Jaya reflects on her life, her compromises, and her silence in the face of emotional dissatisfaction. Her “long silence” symbolizes the suppression of her true self and voice.
Mohan is Jaya’s husband, a conventional and ambitious man who strongly believes in traditional gender roles. He expects Jaya to be supportive, obedient, and accommodating. Though not intentionally cruel, he represents the patriarchal mindset of society. His career crisis becomes the turning point that forces Jaya into self-introspection.
Rahul is Jaya and Mohan’s teenage son. He is sensitive and somewhat withdrawn. His emotional distance from his parents reflects the communication gap within the family.
4. RATI
Rati is their daughter. She is more expressive and independent compared to Rahul. Through Rati’s character, the novel hints at changing attitudes among the younger generation.
5.KAMAT
Kamat is Jaya’s neighbor and friend. He is an intellectual and encourages Jaya to think independently and write honestly. Unlike Mohan, he understands Jaya’s inner conflict. His death deeply affects Jaya and contributes to her realization about living authentically.
The characters in That Long Silence represent different aspects of middle-class Indian society. Through Jaya’s journey from silence to self-awareness, Shashi Deshpande highlights themes of identity, gender roles, marriage, and self-expression.
Toba Tek Singh is a powerful short story by Saadat Hasan Manto. It is set after the Partition of India in 1947 and takes place in a mental asylum, where inmates are to be exchanged between India and Pakistan. The story uses irony and satire to show the tragedy of Partition.
1. BISHAN SINGH (Toba Tek Singh
BISHAN Singh is the central character of the story. He is a Sikh inmate in the Lahore mental asylum. He is known as “Toba Tek Singh” because he constantly talks about his hometown by that name. He speaks in meaningless, mixed-up phrases, yet he is deeply attached to his land.
When he learns that his village may now be in Pakistan instead of India, he becomes anxious and confused. In the end, he refuses to go to either country and dies in the “no man’s land” between India and Pakistan. His death symbolizes the pain, confusion, and displacement caused by Partition.
2. MAULVI SAHIB
A Muslim inmate who had been reading newspapers regularly before becoming insane. Even inside the asylum, he continues reading Zamindar newspaper. When asked about Pakistan, he gives a vague and confused explanation. His character shows how even educated people were unclear about the meaning of Partition.
An inmate who believes he is God. When Bishan Singh asks him whether Toba Tek Singh is in India or Pakistan, he jokingly says it has not yet been ordered. His character represents the absurdity of political decisions and the irony that “mad” people seem to control fate.
4. MASTER TARA SINGH
A Muslim inmate who declares himself to be the Sikh leader Master Tara Singh. Another inmate claims to be Muhammad Ali Jinnah. They are separated to avoid conflict. This reflects how political rivalry and religious division entered even the asylum.
5. MUHAMMAD ALI JINNAH
An inmate who believes he is the founder of Pakistan. His character shows how political figures became symbols of identity during Partition.
6. THE YOUNG HINDU LAWYER
A Hindu inmate who was disappointed in love with a Muslim girl from Amritsar. After Partition, he becomes depressed because Amritsar is now in India, separating him further from his beloved. He represents personal loss and emotional suffering caused by the division.
7. ANGLO INDIAN INMATES
Two Anglo-Indian patients worry about their future after the British leave India. They are concerned about their status, food, and lifestyle. Their characters highlight the uncertainty faced by minorities after Independence.
She visits him before Partition and cries upon seeing his condition. Later, she migrates to India. Though she appears briefly, she represents broken families and forced migration.
A Muslim friend from Bishan Singh’s village who visits him in the asylum. He informs him that his family has moved to India and that Toba Tek Singh is now in Pakistan. His character adds emotional depth and shows human compassion despite political division.
They arrange the exchange of inmates between India and Pakistan. They follow orders mechanically, without emotional involvement. They symbolize the insensitive bureaucracy handling a tragic human situation.
Through these characters, Saadat Hasan Manto presents Partition as a tragic and absurd event. Each character represents confusion, identity crisis, loss, and the irony that the “mad” often appear more sensible than the sane world outside.
Lihaaf (The Quilt) is a bold and symbolic short story that explores loneliness, repression, and female desire in a conservative society. Below is a brief but proper description of all major characters:
Begum Jan is the central character of the story. She is the lonely and neglected wife of Nawab Sahib. Although she lives in luxury, she suffers from emotional and physical isolation because her husband shows no interest in her. She is sensitive, frustrated, and deeply unhappy. Over time, she develops an intimate relationship with her maid, Rabbo. Begum Jan represents the oppression of women in a patriarchal society and the consequences of emotional neglect.
2. NAWAB SAHIB
Nawab Sahib is Begum Jan’s husband. He is wealthy, respectable, and known in society for his generosity. However, he avoids his wife and prefers the company of young boys, suggesting his hidden desires. He neglects Begum Jan completely. His character symbolizes hypocrisy and the rigid social structure that forces individuals to hide their true identities.
Rabbo is Begum Jan’s loyal maid and constant companion. She massages Begum Jan and stays close to her at all times. She becomes the emotional and physical support that Begum Jan lacks in her marriage. Rabbo’s character represents companionship and suppressed female desire. Her relationship with Begum Jan is suggested symbolically through the image of the moving quilt.
The story is narrated by a young girl who stays at Begum Jan’s house. She innocently observes the strange movements of the quilt at night without fully understanding what they mean. Her childlike perspective adds irony and subtlety to the story, making the theme indirect but powerful.
In Lihaaf, Ismat Chughtai boldly challenges social taboos and highlights the emotional suffering of women trapped in unhappy marriages. Through symbolic narration and strong characters, the story exposes repression, loneliness, and hidden realities of society.
The Night of the Full Moon is a Partition-based short story that highlights communal tension, human cruelty, and moral conflict during the violence of 1947. Below is a brief but proper description of the main characters:
1. THE SHAHNI
The Shahni is the central character of the story. She is a wealthy Hindu woman and the wife of a Shah (landlord). She is proud, dignified, and deeply attached to her home and property. During the communal riots, she becomes a victim of hatred and betrayal. Despite the violence around her, she maintains her courage and self-respect. Her character symbolizes innocence and the tragic suffering of women during Partition.
2.THE SHAH (her husband)
The Shah is a rich and respected landlord. He represents authority and social status. However, during the riots, his power and influence become meaningless. His character reflects how social position could not protect people from communal violence.
3. THE RIOTERS/ VILLAGERS
The rioters include local villagers who turn violent due to communal hatred. Some of them were once loyal to the Shah’s family but now participate in looting and violence. They represent how ordinary people were influenced by hatred and political manipulation during Partition.
4.SUPPORTING CHARACTERS (servants and villagers)
Some servants and villagers show sympathy, while others betray their masters. These minor characters highlight the mixed human responses—fear, greed, loyalty, and compassion—during times of crisis.
In The Night of the Full Moon, Kartar Singh Duggal presents the tragic reality of Partition. Through simple yet powerful characters, the story shows how communal hatred destroyed humanity, relationships, and moral values.
The Night Train at Deoli is a short story about love, longing, and separation. It tells the story of a brief but unforgettable connection between two young people at a small railway station. Here’s the brief sketch about the characters
1. THE NARRATOR( young college student)
The narrator is a young college student who travels by train between Dehradun and his hometown during vacations. He is sensitive, romantic, and imaginative. When he sees a young basket-seller girl at Deoli station, he becomes deeply attracted to her quiet beauty and innocence. Though he never properly speaks to her, he builds emotional dreams around her. His character represents youthful love, longing, and the pain of unanswered questions.
She is a poor young girl who sells baskets at Deoli railway station. She is simple, shy, and graceful. Her silent smile and expressive eyes leave a deep impression on the narrator. She speaks very little, yet her presence is powerful. When she suddenly disappears from the station, she becomes a symbol of lost love and mystery. She represents the fleeting nature of life and relationships.
His friends travel with him sometimes and casually tease him about the girl. They are practical and less emotional compared to him. Their characters highlight the narrator’s sensitive and dreamy nature.
These background characters create the setting of the small railway station. They emphasize the ordinary routine of life, contrasting with the narrator’s deep emotional experience.
In The Night Train at Deoli, Ruskin Bond uses simple characters to express themes of first love, longing, and the sadness of separation. The story shows how a brief meeting can leave a lifelong impact on the heart.
Karma is a short story that highlights themes of pride, identity, colonial mentality, and poetic justice. Below is a brief but proper description of all major characters:
1.SIR MOHAN LAL
Sir Mohan Lal is the central character of the story. He is a wealthy, westernized Indian man who is highly educated and proud of his English manners. He admires British culture and looks down upon his own Indian identity. He prefers speaking English and tries to imitate the British lifestyle.
Despite his efforts, the British passengers insult and throw him out of the first-class railway compartment because he is Indian. His humiliation represents poetic justice, as his pride and blind admiration for the British lead to his downfall.
Lachmi is Sir Mohan Lal’s simple and traditional Indian wife. She wears traditional clothes, speaks in a natural manner, and feels comfortable with her cultural identity. Unlike her husband, she does not try to imitate the British. She travels in the women’s compartment and remains unaffected by pride or false superiority. Her character contrasts strongly with Sir Mohan Lal and symbolizes authenticity and simplicity.
3. THE BRITISH SOLDIERS
The British soldiers enter the first-class compartment and insult Sir Mohan Lal. They mock him and force him to leave despite his polished English accent. They represent colonial arrogance and racial discrimination during British rule in India.
4. MINOR CHARACTERS ( Railway staff and passengers)
They appear briefly but help create the setting of colonial India. They reflect the social divisions and racial hierarchy of that time.
In Karma, Khushwant Singh presents a powerful message about self-respect and identity. Through the characters, the story shows how blind imitation of foreign culture and loss of self-identity can lead to humiliation.
Introduction
How I Taught My Grandmother to Read is a heartwarming autobiographical story by Sudha Murty. The story highlights the importance of education and shows that learning has no age limit. Set in a small village in Karnataka, it beautifully presents the bond between a granddaughter and her grandmother. Through a simple incident, the author conveys a powerful message about determination, self-respect, and the value of literacy.
Summary
The story is about the author’s childhood experience with her grandmother. Sudha Murty, as a young girl, used to read stories to her grandmother from a popular Kannada magazine. Her grandmother was especially fond of a serial story called Kashi Yatre. She eagerly waited every week to know what happened next in the story.
Once, Sudha had to attend a wedding in a nearby village and could not read the weekly installment to her grandmother. During her absence, the magazine arrived, but her grandmother could not read it by herself. She felt helpless and dependent on others to know the story. This made her realize the importance of education.
Determined to become independent, her grandmother decided to learn how to read and write, even at the age of sixty-two. She requested Sudha to teach her. The young girl accepted the responsibility seriously and started teaching her grandmother every day. Within a few months, her grandmother learned to read on her own.
On the day of Dussehra, which is considered an auspicious day for starting something new, her grandmother read a part of the story independently. She touched Sudha’s feet as a mark of respect for being her teacher. This emotional moment shows her humility and determination.
Character sketch
1.Grandmother (Avva):
She is loving, affectionate, and determined. Though uneducated in her childhood, she has a strong desire to learn. Her self-respect and hard work help her achieve her goal of becoming literate.
2. Sudha (Narrator):
She is intelligent, responsible, and kind-hearted. Even at a young age, she takes her role as a teacher seriously and patiently helps her grandmother learn.
Main Themes
- Importance of Education
- Learning has No Age Limit
- Determination and Self-Respect
- Bond between Grandmother and Granddaughter
- Women Empowerment
How I Taught My Grandmother to Read is an inspiring story that teaches us that it is never too late to learn. Through this simple yet meaningful experience, Sudha Murty conveys a strong message about the power of education and determination. The story reminds us that knowledge gives confidence, independence, and dignity.
The Night Train at Deoli is a touching short story by Ruskin Bond that explores the themes of youthful love, longing, loneliness, and the mystery of fleeting relationships. Set in the quiet surroundings of a small railway station, the story captures the beauty of a brief encounter that leaves a lasting emotional impact.
The story is narrated in the first person by a young college student who travels by train between Dehradun and his hometown during his vacations. Every summer, the train stops briefly at Deoli station, a small and almost deserted place surrounded by forests. The station itself symbolizes stillness and isolation. It is at this quiet station that the narrator notices a young basket-seller girl for the first time.
The girl is simple, poor, and shy. She sells cane baskets to passengers during the short halt of the train. The narrator is deeply attracted to her innocent face and expressive eyes. Although their conversations are limited to a few simple words, a silent bond develops between them. The narrator begins to look forward to seeing her on every journey. His feelings reflect the excitement and emotional intensity of first love.
One day, he gathers courage and speaks to her more openly. There is a sense of happiness and hope in that brief interaction. However, when he returns after some time, he finds that the girl is no longer at the station. No one can give him any information about her. Her sudden disappearance leaves him confused and heartbroken. Though he considers getting down at Deoli to search for her, he never does. Instead, he chooses to continue his journey, carrying only memories of her.
The story highlights the theme of transience. Just like the train that stops for a few minutes and then moves on, human relationships can also be brief and temporary. The basket-seller girl becomes a symbol of lost opportunities and unanswered questions. The narrator’s decision not to search for her suggests that some memories are more beautiful when left untouched.
Ruskin Bond’s simple language and gentle narration make the story realistic and emotionally powerful. He does not dramatize the events but allows the emotions to unfold naturally. The quiet setting of Deoli station enhances the mood of loneliness and longing.
In conclusion, The Night Train at Deoli is a beautiful story about first love and the pain of separation. Through a simple yet meaningful encounter, Ruskin Bond reminds readers that some moments in life are short-lived, yet they leave a permanent mark on the heart.
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