Here is my write-up (assignment) (imperfect) (scored 15 on 20) (done for the sake of doing it) (many apologies) : The chapter Lajwanti by Rajinder Singh Bedi is set in the wake of the India-Pakistan Partition – specifically, the abduction of women on either side of the border. During the Partition, tens of thousands of Hindus and Muslims were forced to pack and leave, because suddenly, allegiance to one’s country was based on religion. Families who had been living on the “wrong” side of the border since generations had to migrate, at moment’s notice, to their “homeland”. In the midst of all this pain, anguish, separation and large-scale identity crises, displaced people began attacking the “enemies” – through thefts, violence and abductions, as was the case with the protagonist Sunder Lal, and his wife Lajwanti, who was abducted. In brief, the story Lajwanti is as such: Sunder Lal, after losing his wife Lajwanti to abductors, and abandoning all hope of finding her again, pu...
Characters: 1. Munshi Khairat Ali Khan (Inspector of Sanitation) Goodhearted, well thought of, not the kind to cut pay, scold or fine the hundreds of sweeper women who depends on him 2. Alarakkhi (sweeper woman) Worked hard (was not a shirker, not slovenly or saucy, didn't look bad either) just had bad luck - the Inspector rode by precisely when she'd just sat down or stopped to eat 3. Alarakkhi's sick, unweaned daughter 4. Alarakkhi's helpful husband Huseni Plot: Alarakkhi is thinking about her pay and guessing how much would be deducted this time considering, due to her daughter's illness, she'd been missed sleep and come in late several times the past month. Her daughter, whom she had brought with her to work, was wailing and she was threatening to hit her with the broom if she didn't stay quiet because the Inspector would be there soon. The inspector arrived on his bicycle instead of his ekka just as she was cursing him. He asks her why she ...
By James Russell Lowell Men! whose boast it is that ye Come of fathers brave and free, If there breathe on earth a slave, Are ye truly free and brave? If ye do not feel the chain, When it works a brother's pain, Are ye not base slaves indeed, Slaves unworthy to be freed? Women! who shall one day bear Sons to breathe New England air, If ye hear, without a blush, Deeds to make the roused blood rush Like red lava through your veins, For your sisters now in chains,-- Answer! are ye fit to be Mothers of the brave and free? Is true Freedom but to break Fetters for our own dear sake, And, with leathern hearts, forget That we owe mankind a debt? No! true freedom is to share All the chains our brothers wear And, with heart and hand, to be Earnest to make others free! They are slaves who fear to speak For the fallen and the weak; They are slaves who will not choose Hatred, scoffing, and abuse, Rather than in silence shrink From the truth they needs must think; They are slav...
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