Write a letter from Olivia to Marcia concerning her dilemma regarding the paternity and her pregnancy May 29, 2008

Dear Marcia,

yesterday I found out, that I’m pregnant. As I already wrote to you, I have been wishing to gat a baby for several months. I thought I could strengthen my relationship to Douglas. Well, everything could be perfect now, if I knew the father. I’m not sure if I had already told you, but I had sex with the Nawab, so I’m not able to say who is the father. I don’t know what to do, because it would become visibly who is the father. Probably, my only choice is an abortion, but I don’t think that I could kill my baby. Furthermore, my baby is a part of Douglas or the Nawab as well and if I would kill the baby, I would kill a part of one of them, too.

So an abortion would be the last step to do. I’m not sure: would Douglas forgive me for my carry on with the Nawab? I don’t think so, he hates the Nawab and if he knows everything abut my relationship to him, Douglas would surely disown me. And I don’t think he would believe that I had a liaison with another Indian man. And what would say the Nawab, if I would tell him he was my babys father and my baby is white? He would know that I told a lie and it is Douglas’ baby. The Nawab is too proud to accept a foreign baby in his palast, especially if it’s a white one. And there’r the Begum, she would never let this happen, too. Besides, I can’t imagine that the Nawab would let me live in his palace or even marry me. His feelings concering the British are to blended.

Well,I guess I really have no choice. I have to kill the baby. Oh my god, what have I done. Killing my baby because of my infidelity is a shame. Please don’t tell it anybody! And please: write back! I need your help and your support, you’re the only one I can talk to!

Yours, Olivia

What attitude to abortion comes across in this section, and what does it say about Indian society? May 28, 2008

In this section, Maji informs the narrator that she was pregnant. She also tells her about the midwives in Satipur, which will come to her to offer her their services. Later, she also tells the narrator, that she had been a midwife, too, and she could help her. At first the narrator doesn’t understand, but then she realizes, that Maji offers her to make an abortion. She also assures the narrator that she could trust her, as she knows all about it. This qualification was very necessary, because “in many cases it is the only way to save people from dishonor and suffering” (p.129, ll.8-9). In addition to that, Maji explains the narrator, that there are “several ways to procure an abortion and she has at one time or other performed all of them” (p.129, ll.6-7). She tells the narrator about these abortions and the narrator is fascinated of them.

The section proves that abortion is a very important subject in India. I can imagine that there are several reasons to make an abortion, for example the lack of contraceptives. I’m sure that Inder Lal couldn’t stand the dishonor, if the narrator’s pregnancy would become public. Another possible reason, we already talked about in our school lessons, is, that many families couldn’t pay an expansive wedding and the dowry, if they’d get a girl. So they make an abortion because of absence of money. As the public health system and the hygiene in India aren’t the best, the risk, that the mother or the baby die, is pretty high. Perhaps families that know they couldn’t care for a baby prefer an abortion.

All in all, there are many possibilities, why a woman or a family makes an abortion. However, I got the impression, that an abortion isn’t something special in India; at least the narrator doesn’t seem to be shocked by Maji’s offering. It seems odd, because in Europe an abortion is always something negative and the parents are always accused.

Why does Olivia so eagerly wish to have a baby? May 4, 2008

In my opinion, there are two possible reasons, why Olivia would love to have a baby.

On the one hand, there’s the fact that she is alone. She has Harry and the Nawab, but if she had a baby, she would have something to care for, a new occupation. Something like a task, she has to fulfill

On the other hand, this baby would be another connection between Olivia and Douglas. If Olivia is together with his baby, it reminds her about Douglas. Perhaps it would look like him and Olivia would love to have a part of his husband with her the whole day. In addition to that, the relationship between her and Douglas would change, too. They would have something else to talk about. Above all, Olivia and Douglas have not much in common, concerning their daily life. This baby could strengthen their relationship.

Describe the relationship between the narrator and Chid May 4, 2008

The relationship between the narrator and Chid is somehow one-sided.The narrator and Inder Lal find Chid in a tomb, where he is living. He is ill and in a very bad condition. He asks the narrator,  if he might live with her. The narrator is reluctant, but Inder Lal seems to be interested in him and in his kmowledge about Hinduism, so they take him home with them. A few days later, Chid is healthy again, but still lives with the narrator. He eats the food, she prepares for him and enjoys his stay. But the narrator doesn’t like his presence, not only because he exploits her hospitality, but he also uses her for his sexual satisfaction. This means to Chid, that he reaches a higher state of consciousness, but the narrator just feels used. Nevertheless, she feels a kind of emanation, which doesn’t come from him, but from the power surroundung him. In addition to that, the inhabitants of the town considers his stay as a privilege and an opportunity to acquire merit by serving him in charity. Besides, Inder Lal likes Chid very much and the narrator accepts Chid, although she is annoyed of him. But finally, Maji convinces him to go on a pilgramage. Chid agrees and the narrator is happy to get rid of him.