The other woman by Dina Mehta summary and analysis

 

The story revolves around Maganlal, a thirty-six-year-old man, who is portrayed as a somewhat timid and cowardly individual, dominated by his wife Vimla and troubled by his brother-in-law Sunil. Maganlal, who once had a successful career writing screenplays, finds himself at the wrong turn or rather hard times with his current life situation.

The narrative delves into Maganlal's struggles with insomnia, which increases his fear of darkness. He roams his house late at night, switching on lights to get rid of the darkness at bay, a symbolic representation of his attempt to escape from his inner fears and uncertainties.

Maganlal's relationship with Vimla is exhausted with several issues, frequent arguments and Vimla's dissatisfaction with his career choices. Vimla, educated and sophisticated, scolds and criticises Maganlal for his lack of interest in highbrow cinema and for his perceived mediocrity as a writer. She yearns for him to be more intellectually inclined and to pursue a more refined artistic path.

Sunil, Vimla's brother, adds to Maganlal's troubles with his superior and disapproving attitude and constant meddling in Maganlal's personal affairs. Sunil's presence serves as a constant source of tension in Maganlal's life, as he belittles Maganlal's achievements and accuses him of deceiving Vimla.

Maganlal's once successful career as a screenwriter is contrasted with his current struggles. He reminisces about his early success and the joy he derived from his work, but his creative spirit is suffocated by the demands and criticisms of Vimla and Sunil. Despite his attempts to work on a new screenplay in secret, Maganlal's creative energy is drained by the turmoil in his personal life.

The story reaches its climax when Sunil accuses Maganlal of infidelity, based on false assumptions about his relationship with another woman. In a fit of desperation and defiance, Maganlal proclaims his love for this mysterious woman, causing Vimla to break down in tears.

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With a piteous cry Vimla came running out of the bedroom and flung herself at his feet. "No," she cried, "no no, I cannot bear this, I cannot, you will not cast me aside for this woman, I'm your wife....your wife!" and she clung to his feet, weeping with abandon and unconsciously impersonating the heroine of his fifth script.

Above her Maganlal, not a little flustered that his life had changed gears and was swerving at an alarming angle form its predicted course, almost bent over to help her up when he met Sunil's gaze across the room.

"Out!" said Maganlal to his helpless relative, pointing to the door with totalitarian anger. After the purge he cleared his throat nervously, and fixed his eye on the woman at his feet.

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The story offers a profound exploration of marital discord in the modern family set up, portraying the complexities and challenges that can arise within a marriage. Maganlal and Vimla's relationship is depicted as strained, marked by frequent arguments, dissatisfaction, and a lack of understanding between them. Vimla's constant criticism of Maganlal's career choices and her high expectations increases the tension in their relationship.

Through the characters of Maganlal, Vimla, and Sunil, the story offers a critique of social expectations and norms regarding marriage, career, and gender roles. Maganlal's struggles to meet Vimla's and Sunil's expectations highlight the pressure individuals face to conform to social standards of success and fulfillment. Vimla's dissatisfaction with Maganlal's career and Sunil's condescending attitude reflect the rigid gender roles and patriarchal attitudes prevalent in society, where men are expected to be the primary breadwinners and fulfill certain cultural and societal ideals of success.

Maganlal's creative frustration serves as a central theme in the story, highlighting the challenges artists face in pursuing their passions amidst personal and societal pressures. Maganlal's once-successful career as a screenwriter is contrasted with his current struggles to find inspiration and creative fulfillment. His inability to produce new material reflects the impact of external pressures and personal turmoil on artistic expression. The story underscores the importance of creative freedom to fulfil one’s own dream.

At its core, the story explores themes of identity and self-assertion, as Maganlal grapples with his sense of self-worth and autonomy. His journey from feeling stifled and inadequate to asserting his independence and standing up for himself against Vimla and Sunil's criticisms demonstrates his growth and development as a character. The story underscores the importance of self-awareness and self-acceptance in overcoming external pressures and finding fulfillment in one's personal and professional life.