Although this is a short chapter but having some important themes
which reject the claims of some of the critics that Bapsi Sidhwa only talks
about the partition and the excruciating life condition of Muslims at the time
of independence.
The chapter opens with Lenny's artistic description of her mother's beauty. She portrays the physical beauty, attractive figures, her nose, M shape, cheeks, and so on.
She is not presenting her as a kind, soft, and delicate mother. Maybe she is not as beautiful as Lenny presents. It shows her keen observation and intelligence. There is nothing important in this chapter but I will try to convey what I understand.
A very happy and fresh couple, Shankar and Gita. Gita told a
famous love story of Sohni and Mahiwal. Mahiwal offered his flesh to his lover;
she is deserved for that because she crossed the river to meet him. Folklore is
the tradition of Punjab yes?
There is arrange marriage but they extremely love each other. In
Pakistan and especially the rural areas people prefer to arrange marriages as
compared to love marriages. This shows our culture.
In the last paragraph, Bapsi presents a scene of Popoo and his
mother. Popoo makes fun of his mother. In this novel, Bapsi not only talks
about Parsi Community but she talks about other communities as well.
Some of the minor characters in this chapter.
Hari is the Sethi family's gardener
Yousaf is the Sethi family's odd job man
Imam Din is the Sethi family's cook
Moti, Untouchable sweeper
Popoo and Machoo.
