I think with the different ends of the two plotlines, the author wanted to show the differences between Olivia and the narrator. Both have different characters and their situations are different as well. Olivia has a weak character and she is dependant of a man, who cares for her. I already showed in the letter from Olivia to Marcia, that Olivia probably has no other choice than an abortion. The narrator is the contrary of Olivia. She is a strong person and independent. She is able to care for her baby on her own, as she can work and earn money.
I can understand both of them, Olivia and the narrator. Olivia has to do the abortion, because she has no other choice. Her behavior is irresponsible, she should have thought about a pregnancy before she had sex with the Nawab. I don’t feel sorry for her. However, she got pregnant and I understand that she couldn’t keep her baby. And she has surely bad conscience because of her abortion, this is punishment enough. The narrator is able to care for her baby. She can leave Satipur and live somewhere else, without Inder Lal, so he isn’t burdened. At first, the narrator wants to abort her baby. I guess that she didn’t really thought about it. But while Maji is doing the abortion, the narrator feels that this is wrong.
