Analysis Of Begum Jaan And Rabbo

The concept of bodily needs and sexual fulfilment is represented vis-a-vis marriage but a new power dynamics emerges between the mistress and her maid. Rabbo seems to exercise, albeit subtly some sort of a power over her mistress as she is the source of the fulfilment of her sexual needs. Therefore when Rabbo goes to visit her son Begum Jaan is “restless” and virtually starves herself the entire day. In the story the paradigm of male female relationship is replaced by that of class. Furthermore, Begum Jaan continues to maintain the charade of being the Nawab Sahib’s wife and Rabbo does not neglect her duties as a mother. She visits her son on a regular basis. Begum Jaan uses her body and sexuality as a space to empower herself, while simultaneously …show more content…
The ambiguous ending hides the relationship from an overt display. Tahira Naqvi says that at the time she wrote the story Chugtai’s knowledge regarding homosexuality was limited; “what she couldn’t tell was actually what she didn’t know. Sreejan Mitra opines:. Begum Jaan and Rabbo occupy an interstitial space which defies the previous category of heterosexuality and the newly accepted order of …show more content…
In fact every “hot blooded” male during this period is trying to assert his “masculine” self by kidnapping and raping women. Ishwar Singh joins the gangs in looting shops and houses, after which he goes back home to present the “booty” to his mistress Kalwant Kaur. One night after looting gold ornaments from Muslim houses and presenting them to her he abruptly leaves her house to roam the deserted streets apparently in search of some woman to satisfy his lustful