Title of Protiva Basu's short story The Marooned
Title of Protiva Basu short story The Marooned |Justify the title of Protiva Basu’s short story ‘The Marooned’| Analysis of the of short story 'The Marooned' by Protiva Basu. |The title: The Marooned short story Protiva Basu.| Title of Protiva Basu short story The Marooned Partition Literature
Justify the title of Protiva Basu’s short story ‘The Marooned’
Protiva Basu is widely regarded as a pioneering figure in Bengali
literature. She was among the first women to write about social. Her
literary contributions have had a profound and lasting impact on Bengali
culture and society. Her debut novel was 'Monolina.' Her othernotable
works are ‘Ghumera pākhirā ebaṃ’ , ‘Mātra daśa dina’, ‘Ujjvala uddhāra’, ‘Calaccitrāẏita kāhinī’ kāhinī’ . Basu's writing style is characterized by its
simplicity and clarity, making her works both thought-provoking and easy
to comprehend. She writes about the plight of women and the exploitation
of girls under the strict rules of masculinity. Her works are a testament
to her unwavering commitment to social justice and equality.
The present story "The Marooned" outlines the story of partition and its aftermath. The story reminds us of Khushwant Singh’s "Train to Pakistan" and Manik Bandopadhyay’s ‘The Final Solution ', as they offer insight into this tragic event. Basu, uses Bindubashini, the protagonist of the story, to explore the violence and trauma that women experienced during this tumultuous time. Bindubashini's plight is representative of every woman's struggle during the partition. Similar to Mallika in 'The Final Solution', Bindubashini also faced harrowing experiences during the partition.
The Women were subjected to violence at various levels, including communal, familial, and micro levels. They were raped, abducted, and killed, and were even forced to commit suicide, falling prey to the horrors of this period.
The Title of the story ‘Marooned’ is very significant from the
thematic standpoint of the story. The term "marooned" typically refers to
being stranded in a desolate place, often with little hope of rescue or
escape. So the title is aptly chosen as Bindubashini and her family were
trapped by Keshabananda.
Bindubashini lived with her daughter-in-law and two granddaughters,
having lost both her husband and son. They had been leading a normal life
in East Bengal until the claws of partition tore through their existence.
The family was forced to flee their native land and seek refuge in West
Bengal to escape the violence of the Hindu-Muslim riots.
Like many other refugees, they crossed the border, but unfortunately, violence followed them to the refugee camp in Boarder. In the camp, Bindubashini's daughter-in-law, Uttara, felt ‘a rough, harsh, masculine hand which hastily drew itself away in the dark.' The greedy and frauds like Keshabananda came in the mask of Sadhu to help many refugees only for his personal interest. Keshabananda said, 'the mission of his life was service to mankind and he had dedicated his life to the service of the refugees'.
Keshabananda took Bindubashini and her family to his ashram, 'Abalbandhab
Samiti’. However, under the guise of providing shelter for women,
Keshabananda initiated a chain of exploitative business practices
involving the female residents of the ashram. Like Mallika in ‘The Final
Solution’ Uttara desperately needed a job to help her family. Uttara
accepted a job as a caretaker for the two daughters of a widower in hopes
of improving her family's dire financial situation. But Keshabananda
had other plans for her. He coerced her into engaging in prostitution, all
under the guise of employment.
Actually, Keshabanada like Pramatha in 'Final Solution' seduced women in
the name of giving money and shelter in their dire need of hunger.
Kesabananda was not only satisfied to seduce Uttara and he repeatedly
played with the trust of the grand-daughter of Bindhubasini Milu. He took
away Milu on the pretext of making her meet with her mother and sold her
to lecherous Sashisekhar. He molested the 14 years girl.
In the end, Bindhubashi was pushed out from the running jeep by
Keshbabnanda as she was a useless old woman not suitable for business. She
stretched out her hands for help from Keshabanda but he went away quickly
with the jeep. Her body crashed to the ground and her head banged against
a boulder. Whom did she find to give her company in her last breath, -'
Her dear bouma Uttara, her darling, the apple of her eyes, her only
grandchild Milu !'?. But no one was there to pick her up. What did she get
at the last moment but nothing? Leaving everything behind, she started her
journey to an unknown land
Thus The title The Marooned" carries a metaphorical connotation. It
symbolizes being trapped or isolated in one's own circumstances. The
Title, 'The Marooned' symbolically indicates a place of isolation. When
Bindhubashi was in Bengal, She lost her son and husband. Crazed with the
fear of communal riots, she had to leave all the properties of land behind
and the huge mansion decorated with 'Chandeliers with hundred and fifty
candles'. She had to leave 'forty tolas of gold, three Benarasi sarees,
two sets of silver service and copper and brass set' in East Bengal. Even
in India, Bindhubashi lost one by one the living property of her
daughter-in-law Uttara, and her two grand-daughters due to the partition.
When she went out to search for all the other three persons, she met death
by cruel fate. "Where was going? Leaving them all behind in a strange
country." Actually, she lost everything - property, relatives, and her
life at last. So the title is appropriate.
Important essay-type questions Questions from
‘The Marooned’ by Protiva Basu
1)“Partition, like wars and other forms of violence, affected women
differently than it affected men.”
2) Discuss with reference to the harrowing experiences of
Bindubashini and her family members in Protiva Basu’s ‘The
Marooned’.
OR
‘Violence against women during partition’ ---- Analyse with the
context of the short story, ‘The Marooned’
3) Bindubashini’s plight is primarily a women’s plight in Protiva
Basu’s short story, ‘The Marooned’ . Would you agree with this view?
Give reasons
4) *Show how Bindubashini and her family suffer after crossing the
border of India.
5 )Justify the title of in Protiva Basu’s short story ‘The
Marooned’
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q. 1 What is this post all about?
A: This post is about the Title of Protiva Basu's short story The
Marooned of Partition Literature
Q. 2 Who wrote the short story ‘The Marooned’?
A: Protiva Basu wrote short story The Marooned
Q. 3 Who is the protagonist of the story ‘The Marooned’?
A: Bindubashini is the protagonist of the story ‘The Marooned’.
Q. 4 Who was Uttara in Protiva Basu short story The Marooned?
A: Uttara was the daughter–in–law of Bindubashini in
Protiva Basu short story The Marooned
Q.5 Where did Bindubashini and her family arrive first in India in
Protiva Basu short story The Marooned ?
A: Bindubashini and her family arrive at Bongaon
Q. 6 Who were Milu and Bulu in Protiva Basu short story The
Marooned?
A: Milu and Bulu were the grand-daughters of Bindubashini in Protiva
Basu's short story The Marooned
Q.7 What was the name of Sadhu who escorted Milu and Billu to Kolkata
in in Protiva Basu short story The Marooned?
A: The name the sadhu was Keshabananda escorted Milu and Billu to
Kolkata in Protiva Basu short story The Marooned.
Q.8 what did Keshabananda say about his mission in Protiva Basu short
story The Marooned.?
A: Keshabananda said “'the mission of his life was service to
mankind and he had dedicated his life to the service of the
refugees'.
Q. 9 Where did Keshabananda, the Sadhu, take the family of
Bindubashini in Protiva Basu short story The Marooned?
A: Keshabananda, took the family of Bindubashini in
a car to Kolkata in his Ashram beside of the Ganga river in Protiva
Basu short story The Marooned.
Q.10 How old Milu in Protiva Basu's short story The
Marooned?
A: Milu, the grand-daughter of Bindubashini, was fourteen- years (14)
in Protiva Basu short story The Marooned
