In a train of restless thoughts, Shakuntala rushes into Madhumati's room snatches the keys from her and set Kalyani free to marry Narayan. This resolute courage and fight for existence is the specialty of Sidhwa's protagonists. At Kalyani's immolation, while offering final prayers she surprises at the short span of Kalyani's life alleviated with discrimination and cruel fate. Integrity and faith clashed in her soul. Sadananda's remark upon Mahatama Gandhi that he is among few men who listen to their conscience, she finally gives vent to her mystifying …show more content…
After Kalyani, cruel Madhumati forced Chuhiya into prostitution to maintain a sound income. Violent as a lioness, Shakuntala with battered Chuhiya in her lap and in an inner mayhem joins a mob that takes her to railway station to meet Gandhiji. Sadananda had once asked whether she was any close to self liberation, she had confessed: "If self liberation means disinterestedness from worldly desires then no, I'm no closer to it." (95)
But when Gandhi delivers an exciting speech, Shakuntala finally recognizes her goal. She had been in a search of Truth and now she knows that "Truth is God". She finally works for her deliverance.
Thus, Shakuntala hands the little girl to Narayan on the leaving train so that cheerful Chuhiya's life was saved from deteriorating into the rigid life of widows specifically that of Kalyani's. Once again life and hope is affirmed in the novel as Shakuntala feels herself from the restrictions of fallacies and reinstates life to a worthy