Qasim, a tribesman from the mountains, decides to live in
Pakistan when the sub-continent takes new contours in 1947’s partition. On his
journey to Lahore he takes an orphan girl, named Zaitoon, for his daughter.
Qasim and Zaitoon start living with Nikka pehlwan’s family in Lahore. Nikka initiates
his business by borrowing cash from Qasim whereas Qasim starts earning with a
small job on daily wage. Nikka’s wife Miriam helps in the upbringing of
Zaitoon. Qasim wants Zaitoon to marry one of his clansmen called Sakhi. When
Qasim deems it appropriate for Zaitoon to get married she is taken by Qasim to
his village. On their way Zaitoon is attracted towards an army man. She remains
silent and does not disclose it to Qasim. Furthermore she is perplexed by her position
in the new society in which she is about to move.
When Qasim returns back to Lahore Zaitoon
realizes that her new life in the mountains is engulfed with misery and pain.
Her husband physically tortures her, there is no reasonable diet and living
conditions are not conducive. One day Zaitoon decides to run. When her husband
discovers her absence, he along with his tribesmen starts the hunt for Zaitoon.
She knows that once discovered in the forests they will surely murder her.
After days of wandering and discomfort Zaitoon finally reaches an army camp.
There she is rescued by a military official who sends her down country, away
from the wrath of tribal people. Sakhi informs his brethren that her wife is
already dead, despite knowing that she is still alive. Sakhi had been assured
by the army official that he would make sure Sakhi’s honor remains intact by
not leaking any news of her. On the other hand Sakhi would not direct any
threat to the girls’s life. Sakhi had agreed as he had no other option, because
he could not wage a war against the military might. Sakhi wailed and gave in.
This book is about mores, matrimonial affairs, obligations and family loyalties
which Sidhwa has nicely, weaved and presented before the reader.
0 comments:
Post a Comment