The Dark Room
I read “The Dark Room” by R.K Narayan yesterday. A very simple narration of everyday living from olden times. Written in 1938, the story is a very visual portrayal of a family setting. The arrangement of the man being the household head and how he orders around, and that of a wife whose duty is taking care of the man and children and the milk and the curds in the house. Detailed narration reminds me a lot of life I have seen a little bit during childhood, but more of life I have heard about olden times or grandparents’ generation. Even though a lot of the stereotypes have changed, some things still remain. The responsibility that the man brings home the bread and that he is the ultimate boss. The wife has to make sure he is happy once he is home. Ok, even in a household where woman works, she still has to ensure that there is food during regular meal times. No matter whether she gets time for it amongst other responsibilities, it is an unwritten rule that she has to ensure the family’s happiness.
The book also clearly portrays a man’s attitude towards his wife vs mistress. It looks like whatever is available and nice does not seem worth to humans. What we all think is the universal pheonomenon – the grass is greener on the other side. The same with the husband in this story, he falls for an educated subordinate so easily and dances to her tunes, where as at home it is his mission to make sure that everyone listens to him.
Another point that struck me is how much the children were just ordered around and how they naturally learn to act in a way to please their parents.
The ending was not something I was not happy or satisfied with, but for the sake of everyone especially the children it had to be that way only. After all children hold a lot of marriages together.
Overall I enjoyed the book, brought back lot of memories about Navaratri and celebrations related to it. I tend to think about a book for few days after I finish it. And I get anxious sometimes thinking about women in such situations, whose life I am not sure how to judge. Whether they are suffering because of the situation, or are they actually happy being subservient to the husbands (at the same time not having any other monetary worries) and still get to enjoy being the boss at home when husband is away at work. Life is a puzzle….
Echoes