Assignment

Maharani shree nandkuvrba mahila arts &. commerce College

Name: kapdi Hitakshi shivrambhai

Sem: T.Y.B.A.Sem.6

Subject: English

Paper name: A study of Indian Novel & short stories

Topic: 1. characters of 6 Short stories

2.The night train at deoli 3.Essay -- That long silence (novel)

Teacher name: Aamina ma'am

A. Class assignment

1. Characters of 6 Short stories

1. Toba Tek Singh

By sadat hassan monto

Characters:-

Bishan Singh (Toba Tek Singh):

Bishan Singh is the main character of the story. He is a Sikh inmate in the Lahore mental asylum and has been there for many years. He keeps standing on his swollen legs and rarely lies down. His only concern is his hometown, Toba Tek Singh. He keeps asking whether Toba Tek Singh is in India or Pakistan. Though he is considered mad, his attachment to his land shows deep emotional sense. At the end, when he is forced to choose between India and Pakistan, he refuses both and dies in the no-man’s land. Bishan Singh represents the pain, confusion, and loss of identity faced by common people during Partition.

Fazal Din:

Fazal Din is a Muslim man from Bishan Singh’s hometown. Before Partition, he worked as a contractor and had a friendly relationship with Bishan Singh. He visits Bishan Singh in the asylum and tells him that Toba Tek Singh is now in Pakistan. His presence reminds readers of the peaceful relationships that existed before Partition. Fazal Din represents humanity, kindness, and the emotional bonds destroyed by political division.

The Sikh inmate who speaks nonsense:

This Sikh lunatic keeps shouting meaningless and mixed-up political slogans. His language is confusing and illogical, yet it reflects the chaos of the time. Through him, Manto shows how political speeches and decisions during Partition sounded just as senseless to ordinary people. He symbolizes the absurdity and madness of political authority.

The Hindu lawyer:

The Hindu lawyer is another inmate of the asylum. He talks rationally and believes that, being Hindu, he will be sent to India. However, his logic does not help him understand the suffering caused by Partition. His character shows that even educated and intelligent people were helpless and confused during this period. He represents the failure of intellect in times of emotional and human crisis.

The Muslim inmate who climbs trees:

This Muslim lunatic refuses to live in Pakistan and spends most of his time climbing trees. His behavior shows silent protest against the idea of forced nationality. He does not want to belong to any country created by political decisions. Through him, Manto highlights resistance to artificial borders and imposed identities.

The inmates of the asylum (collectively):

The asylum inmates include Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs. Though labeled insane, their conversations often seem more sensible than the actions of the governments. Their confusion mirrors the confusion of the entire society after Partition. Manto uses them to show that the world outside the asylum has become more mad than the asylum itself.

Conclusion:

Through these characters, Manto exposes the cruelty and senselessness of Partition. Each character reflects a different aspect of pain, confusion, and loss. The story proves that dividing land is easy, but dividing human emotions and identity is impossible.

2. Lihaaf

- By ismat chughtai

Begum Jan:

Begum Jan is the central female character of the story. She is the wife of a wealthy Nawab and lives a luxurious but lonely life. Her husband ignores her completely and shows no emotional or physical interest in her. Because of this neglect, Begum Jan becomes emotionally frustrated and depressed. She seeks comfort and affection elsewhere, which shocks society but highlights her human need for love. Begum Jan represents suppressed female desire and the suffering of women in patriarchal marriages.

The Nawab Sahab:

Nawab Sahab is Begum Jan’s husband. He is rich, respectable, and socially powerful but emotionally distant. He has no interest in his wife and spends his time with young boys, avoiding marital responsibility. His behavior exposes male hypocrisy and double standards in society. Nawab Sahab represents the moral corruption hidden behind respectability and the neglect women face in traditional marriages.

Rabbo:

Rabbo is Begum Jan’s maid and companion. She stays close to Begum Jan and provides her emotional comfort. Rabbo takes care of Begum Jan when she is ill or upset. Though society sees her only as a servant, she plays an important role in Begum Jan’s life. Rabbo represents marginalized women who become emotional support systems in oppressive households.

The Child Narrator (Ismat as a girl):

The story is narrated by a young girl who visits Begum Jan’s house. Being a child, she does not fully understand what she observes but senses fear and mystery. Her innocent perspective makes the story more powerful and realistic. Through her eyes, the reader discovers the hidden reality of Begum Jan’s life. The narrator represents innocence confronting uncomfortable truths.

The Mother of the Narrator:

The narrator’s mother is a minor but important character. She is caring and protective and removes her daughter from Begum Jan’s house when she falls ill. Her actions show society’s fear of confronting uncomfortable realities. She represents social morality and silence around taboo subjects.

Symbol of the Lihaf (Quilt):

The quilt itself acts like a character in the story. It hides secrets and creates fear in the narrator’s mind. The moving quilt symbolizes hidden desires, suppressed emotions, and the secrecy imposed on women’s lives. It represents how society covers uncomfortable truths instead of addressing them openly.

Conclusion:

Through these characters, Ismat Chughtai boldly exposes female loneliness, sexual repression, and hypocrisy in patriarchal society. Each character helps reveal the reality hidden behind social respectability. Lihaf challenges social norms and gives voice to women’s unspoken sufferin

3.The night of the full moon

By kartar Singh duggel

1.Malan

Malan is Minnie’s mother. Even though she is middle-aged, she is still very beautiful and looksyoung, almost like Minnie’s sister. Her husband ignores her and stays busy with work, whichmakes her feel lonely and unhappy. For many years, a man has loved her silently and waited for her. On a full-moon night, Malan finally gives in to her hidden feelings and goes to meet him.This decision later causes a misunderstanding, and people wrongly blame her daughter Minnie for what happened.

2. Minnie

Minnie is Malan’s daughter. She is young, beautiful, innocent, and shy. She is about to bemarried in a week and behaves like a well-mannered and respectful girl. She regularly prays at the temple and follows social rules. Sadly, she becomes a victim of false accusations when villagers think they saw her with a man at night. In reality, it was Malan wearing Minnie’s dupatta and bangles, but Minnie has to suffer because of this mistak.

4.The lover:

The lover is a man who has deeply loved Malan for more than twenty years. Every full-moonnight, he comes quietly, hoping Malan will accept his love. For years, she refused him, but this time she opened the door. He meets Malan near the bo tree on the full-moon night. His meetingwith Malan becomes the reason for the later misunderstanding in the village.

4. Malan’s Husband

Malan’s husband is a strict and hardworking moneylender. He is always busy earning money andcaring only about work. He does not show love, care, or emotional support to Malan. Because of his cold behavior, Malan feels neglected. On the important full-moon night, he is away from home, which indirectly allows the misunderstanding to take place.

5. Lajo (Neighbour Woman)

Lajo is Malan’s neighbour. She is curious, judgmental, and enjoys gossiping about others. She claims that she saw Minnie with a strange man in the fields at night. Instead of checking the truth, she spreads her assumption. Her words play a big role in starting the false rumour and damaging Minnie’s reputation.

6. Jumma (Village Watchman)

Jumma is the village watchman. He also says that he saw “Minnie” with a man during the night. In truth, he saw Malan, but he could not recognize her because she was wearing Minnie’s dupatta. By repeating what he saw without understanding the truth, Jumma adds more strength to the false accusation and scandal.

7. Ratna (Zamindar / Landlord)

Ratna is the rich and powerful landlord of the village. He becomes angry when he finds a broken red bangle in his field. Since Minnie was seen wearing twelve bangles, he believes the broken one belongs to her. Without listening carefully or thinking deeply, he accuses Minnie in front of everyone. His strong words make the situation worse and increase the public humiliation of an innocent girl.

4. The night train at deoli

-By Ruskin bond

The Narrator (Ruskin Bond as a young man):

The narrator is a young college student who travels by train between Dehra and Delhi. He is sensitive, observant, and romantic by nature. During one journey, he notices a lonely girl at Deoli railway station and feels an instant emotional connection with her. Though he hardly speaks to her, she leaves a deep impression on his mind. Even years later, he remembers her with longing and regret. The narrator represents youthful love, emotional depth, and the pain of unfinished relationships.

The Girl at Deoli Station:

The girl is a simple, quiet, and poor village girl who sells baskets at Deoli railway station. She appears shy and reserved but has expressive eyes that attract the narrator. She lives a hard life and waits at the station daily, hoping to sell her baskets. Though she speaks very little, she forms a silent bond with the narrator. Her sudden disappearance later adds mystery and sadness to the story. She represents innocence, lost love, and the people we meet briefly but never forget.

The Narrator’s Friends:

The narrator’s friends travel with him sometimes, but they do not notice the girl in the way he does. They are casual and carefree and do not understand his emotional attachment. Their presence highlights the narrator’s loneliness and emotional sensitivity. They represent practical people who move on easily without emotional involvement.

The Girl’s Family (Mentioned Indirectly):

The girl’s family is never fully described, but it is clear that she comes from a poor background. Her responsibility to sell baskets suggests hardship and struggle. Her family situation shows the reality of rural poverty and limits placed on her life. They represent social and economic barriers that separate her from the narrator.

The Passengers at the Station (Minor Characters):

Other passengers come and go at Deoli station, but they remain indifferent to the girl. Their lack of attention contrasts with the narrator’s deep feelings. They represent the busy world that ignores quiet suffering and unnoticed lives

5. How i taught my grandmother to read

- By sudha Murthy

The Narrator (Sudha Murthy as a young girl) –

The narrator is a young school-going girl who spends her summer holidays at her grandmother’s village. She is educated, responsible, and emotionally sensitive. Every day, she reads a Kannada magazine to her grandmother, especially the serial story Kashi Yatre. At first, she does not realize how dependent her grandmother is on her for reading. When she leaves the village for her studies, she understands the pain and helplessness her grandmother feels due to illiteracy.

The narrator shows maturity beyond her age by taking responsibility for her grandmother’s education. She teaches Avva the Kannada alphabet with patience and dedication. Her respectful attitude towards elders and belief in the power of education make her a positive role model. She represents the importance of kindness, duty, and the role of the younger generation in empowering others. Through her character, Sudha Murthy shows that education should be shared, not taken for granted.

The Grandmother (Avva) –

Avva is the narrator’s grandmother and the strongest character in the story. She is an old village woman who never had the opportunity to go to school because of social customs. She loves listening to stories and eagerly waits for her granddaughter to read to her every day. When the narrator leaves, Avva feels deeply ashamed of her dependence on others for reading.

Instead of accepting her weakness, Avva shows determination and self-respect. She decides to learn reading and writing, proving that age is not a barrier to education. By the time the narrator returns, Avva surprises her by reading fluently and touching her feet to show respect. Avva represents courage, lifelong learning, and the importance of self-respect.

Triveni (Author of Kashi Yatre) –

Triveni is the writer of the Kannada serial Kashi Yatre, which deeply affects Avva. The story inspires Avva emotionally and creates a strong desire in her to read independently. Though Triveni does not appear directly, her work becomes the turning point in Avva’s life. She represents the power of literature to influence and change lives.

Other Family Members –

The other family members are minor characters. They accept Avva’s illiteracy as normal and depend on the narrator to read for her. Their attitude reflects society’s neglect of women’s education in the past. Through them, the author highlights social injustice and gender inequality.

6. Karma By khushwant singh

Sir Mohan Lal

Sir Mohan Lal is the central character of the story. He is a rich, western-educated Indian man who is extremely proud of his English manners and lifestyle. He wears expensive clothes, smokes imported cigarettes, and speaks polished English. He looks down upon Indian culture and considers himself superior to other Indians. He is ashamed of his Indian identity and avoids speaking in his mother tongue.

Sir Mohan Lal loves the British way of life and believes that English people respect him as one of their own. However, this belief is false. In the end, two English soldiers insult him and throw him out of the first-class compartment. This humiliating incident shows poetic justice—his pride and arrogance lead to his downfall. Sir Mohan Lal represents blind imitation of the West and loss of self-respect.

Lachmi (Lady Mohan Lal)

Lachmi is Sir Mohan Lal’s wife. She is simple, traditional, and comfortable with her Indian identity. She wears a sari, chews betel leaves, and speaks in her native language. Unlike her husband, she does not pretend to be westernized and does not feel ashamed of her roots.

Although Sir Mohan Lal looks down upon her, Lachmi remains calm and unaffected. In the end, she travels peacefully in the general compartment while her husband is humiliated. Lachmi represents Indian tradition, simplicity, self-acceptance, and quiet dignity. Her character shows that being true to oneself brings peace and respect.

The English Soldiers

The English soldiers appear briefly but play an important role. They enter the train drunk and rude. They do not recognize Sir Mohan Lal’s status or education and treat him like any other Indian. They throw him out of the compartment without listening to him.

These soldiers represent colonial arrogance and racism. Through them, the writer exposes the false belief that Indians could gain equality by imitating the British. They become instruments of karma by punishing Sir Mohan Lal’s pride.

Minor Passengers

Other Indian passengers are minor characters in the story. Sir Mohan Lal avoids them because he thinks they are inferior. Their presence highlights his arrogance and social distance. They represent ordinary Indians who accept their identity without shame.

🌸 Short Story. ✍️ Author

1.Toba Tek Singh. Saadat Hasan Manto

2.Lihaf (The Quilt). Ismat Chughtai

3.The Night Train at Deoli Ruskin Bond

4.How I Taught My Grandmother to Read. Sudha Murthy

5.Karma. Khushwant Singh

6.At the Night of the Full Moon. Kartar Singh Duggal

B.Home assignment

2. The night train at deoli

-By Ruskin bond

The Night Train at Deoli - Ruskin Bond

About the Author

Ruskin Bond was born on 19 May 1934

(age 91) Kasauli, Punjab States Agency, British India (now in Himachal Pradesh, India) and is Anglo- Indian. He is a famous Indian writer and poet. His first novel, The Room on the Roof, was published in 1956 and won the John Llewellyn Rhys Prize.

Ruskin Bond has written more than 500 short stories, essays, and novels. Out of these, 69 books are written for children. He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1992 for his book Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra.

He was also honoured by the Indian government with the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2014 for his contribution to literature.

Summary

Published:-1988

When the narrator was a college student,he was 18 years old and he used to spend his summer holidays at his grandmother’s house in Dehra. He travelled by night train and passed a small station called Deoli, about thirty miles before Dehra. Deoli was a quiet and lonely station surrounded by jungle. The train always stopped there for ten minutes, even though no one got on or off. There was only one platform, a small station office, a waiting room, a tea stall, a fruit seller, and a few dogs. The narrator felt sorry for the station because it seemed forgotten and unimportant, and he often wondered what life was like there.

One early morning, when the train stopped at Deoli, the narrator noticed a young girl selling baskets on the platform. She was poorly dressed and barefoot, but she walked with grace and dignity. She wore a shawl because it was cold. When she came near his window, their eyes met, and there was a strong, silent connection between them. Without saying much, the narrator felt drawn to her. He got down from the train, went to the tea stall, and finally bought a basket from her, even though he did not really want one. Before they could speak properly, the train started moving, and the narrator had to rush back to his seat. As the train left, he saw the girl standing alone on the platform, smiling at him. He could not forget her face for the rest of the journey.

Two months later, on his return journey, the narrator remembered the girl and hoped to see her again. When the train stopped at Deoli, he felt excited to find her there. She recognized him too, and both were happy, like old friends meeting again. They did not talk much, but their feelings were clear. The narrator strongly wished he could take her away with him. He held her hand and Told her he was going to Delhi. She quietly replied that she had nowhere to go. When the train started, he promised to return and asked if she would be there. She nodded, and once again he had to leave her behind as the train moved away.

After this meeting, the girl stayed in the narrator’s thoughts for a long time. When his college term ended, he travelled to Dehra earlier than usual, eager to see her again. But when the train reached Deoli, she was not there. He searched the platform and asked the station-master about her, but the man knew nothing. The narrator felt disappointed and uneasy. He returned to his grandmother’s house but could not stay long because he felt restless. He decided to go back and ask more questions at Deoli.

On his next visit, the station-master had changed, and the new one also knew nothing about the girl. The tea stall owner remembered her but said she had stopped coming and did not know why. Once again, the narrator had to leave without any answers. Still, he comforted himself by thinking that one day he would stop at Deoli, search the town, and find the girl.

Years passed, and the narrator travelled through Deoli many times. Each time, he looked out of the train window, hoping to see the girl again, even though he knew she would probably not be there. He never gathered the courage to get down at Deoli because he was afraid of discovering the truth—that she might be married, sick, or gone forever. He preferred to keep the memory and hope alive. For him, Deoli remained a place of dreams, longing, and unfinished love. He continues to pass through the station, always waiting and wondering, but never stopping.

"The Night Train at Deoli" by Ruskin Bond is a poignant short story exploring themes of fleeting first love, nostalgia, and the lasting impact of brief, idealized encounters. Narrated by a college student, it follows his fixation on a girl selling baskets at a small station, highlighting the beauty of fleeting connections and the bittersweet nature of memory.

Characters

The Narrator: A young, sensitive college student, prone to romanticizing situations and harboring a deep sense of nostalgia. He is emotional and, despite his fleeting interaction with the girl, holds onto her memory as a symbol of first love.
The Girl at Deoli: A poor, mysterious, yet graceful basket seller who represents innocence and simple, rural life. She is transient, appearing only briefly to capture the narrator's imagination.
The Station Vendor/Tea Stall Owner: A minor character who provides information about the girl’s fate, representing the harsh reality that interrupts the narrator's romanticized vision.

Key Themes

First Love and Infatuation: The story captures the intense, almost dreamlike experience of an instant, deep attraction that remains unfulfilled.
Memory and Nostalgia: The narrator clings to the memory of the girl, showing how brief encounters can leave a permanent mark on one's life.
Transient Nature of Life: The fleeting, train-station encounter emphasizes that moments and people in life are often temporary.
Idealization vs. Reality: The narrator builds a fantasy around the girl, contrasted against the, albeit unknown, reality of her life, which he is reluctant to face.

Symbols

The Train/Railway Station (Deoli): Represents the journey of life, transitory, and fleeting moments. Deoli is a place of longing and the unknown.
The Baskets: Symbolize the simple, rural life of the girl, and, being handmade, represent the quiet beauty she brings to the mundane station.
The Darkness/Night: Represents the mysterious and unknown, adding to the romantic and, at times, melancholy atmosphere.

The story concludes with the narrator, now older, still haunted by the memory of the girl, having never found out what happened to her after she vanished, thus emphasizing the lingering nature of lost, innocent love.

C.Essay

3. That long silence

-By Shashi deshpande

About the author:

Shashi Deshpande is a well-known Indian writer in English. She was born on 19 August 1938 in Dharwad, Karnataka. She is the daughter of famous Kannada dramatist Sriranga (Adya Rangacharya), which influenced her interest in literature from an early age.

Shashi Deshpande is best known for her novels and short stories that focus on the inner lives of women, especially middle-class Indian women. Her writings explore themes such as identity, marriage, family relationships, gender roles, silence, and emotional struggle. She presents women not as ideal figures, but as real human beings facing everyday conflicts.
Her language is simple, realistic, and psychological, making her writing powerful and relatable. She often uses first-person narration to express the thoughts and emotions of her characters. One of her most famous novels, That Long Silence, won the Sahitya Akademi Award (1983).
Through her works, Shashi Deshpande gives a strong voice to women and questions traditional expectations placed on them. She is respected for her honest portrayal of Indian society and her contribution to Indian English literature.
📚 Famous Works
That Long Silence
The Dark Holds No Terrors
Roots and Shadows
Small Remedies
The Binding Vine

📖 1. Summary
That Long Silence is a psychological and introspective novel that explores the inner life of Jaya, a middle-class Indian woman. The story begins when her husband Mohan, a government officer, faces allegations of corruption. To avoid public disgrace, they temporarily shift from their comfortable home to a small flat in Dadar, Mumbai. This change in space creates emotional tension and forces Jaya into deep self-examination.
While staying in the small flat, Jaya reflects on her childhood, marriage, motherhood, and lost dreams. Before marriage, she was confident and aspired to become a serious writer. However, after marriage, she slowly suppresses her ambitions to fit into the ideal image of a traditional wife. Mohan expects obedience and support, and Jaya chooses silence to maintain harmony in the family.
The novel mainly focuses on Jaya’s internal thoughts rather than external events. She realizes that by remaining silent for years, she has lost her identity. The title symbolizes her emotional suppression. By the end, Jaya understands that silence is not strength. She resolves to break her silence and communicate honestly, suggesting hope for change.
👩 2. Character Sketches
Jaya
Jaya is the protagonist and narrator of the novel. She is intelligent, sensitive, and educated. As a young girl, she was ambitious and independent. However, marriage changes her life. She sacrifices her individuality and writing talent to become a “good wife.” She struggles between tradition and self-expression. Throughout the novel, she questions her choices and realizes that silence has weakened her personality. Her journey is one of self-awareness and emotional awakening.
Mohan
Mohan is Jaya’s husband. He is practical, disciplined, and concerned about social reputation. He believes in traditional gender roles and expects his wife to support him silently. He is not openly cruel but emotionally distant. His character represents patriarchal values in middle-class society. Through Mohan, the author shows how men often expect obedience without understanding women’s emotional needs.
Rahul
Rahul is Jaya’s son. He is sensitive and somewhat rebellious. He struggles with his own identity and feels distant from his parents. His character reflects generational conflict and emotional insecurity.
Rati
Rati is Jaya’s daughter. She is more modern and confident compared to her mother. She represents the new generation of women who may not accept silence easily.
Kamat
Kamat is Jaya’s neighbor and intellectual companion. He encourages her to write honestly and think independently. He understands her better than Mohan. Kamat symbolizes freedom, expression, and intellectual equality.
Vanita Mami
Vanita Mami is a traditional woman who silently suffers in her marriage. She accepts male dominance without protest. She represents the older generation of women who never questioned patriarchy.
🌸 3. Themes
1. Silence and Communication
This is the central theme. Jaya remains silent for many years to maintain peace in her marriage. She believes that silence is a virtue of a good wife. However, this silence creates emotional distance and loneliness. The novel shows that lack of communication weakens relationships. Silence becomes a symbol of suppression and inner suffering.
2. Identity and Self-Realization
Jaya loses her identity after marriage. She becomes known only as Mohan’s wife and the mother of his children. The novel explores her struggle to rediscover herself as an individual. Her self-realization at the end gives the novel a hopeful tone.
3. Patriarchy
The novel highlights how society expects women to adjust and sacrifice. Mohan’s expectations reflect male dominance. Women are taught to be patient, obedient, and silent. Through Jaya’s experiences, Deshpande questions these traditional norms.
4. Marriage and Gender Roles
Marriage is shown as both supportive and restrictive. Jaya and Mohan’s relationship lacks emotional intimacy. The novel explores how rigid gender roles prevent equal partnership.
5. Isolation and Loneliness
Despite living with her family, Jaya feels emotionally alone. Her loneliness shows that physical presence does not guarantee emotional connection.
🔶 4. Symbols
Silence
The most important symbol. It represents Jaya’s suppressed emotions, unspoken anger, and hidden identity. It also symbolizes the condition of many women who are taught not to question men.
The Small Flat in Dadar
The cramped flat symbolizes emotional confinement and pressure. It reflects Jaya’s trapped state of mind. The physical narrow space mirrors her restricted life.
Writing
Writing represents Jaya’s true identity and freedom. When she stops writing honestly, she suppresses her individuality. Writing symbolizes self-expression and independence.
The Crow Story (Childhood Tale)
The story of the crow questioning authority symbolizes rebellion and the courage to ask questions. It reflects Jaya’s inner desire to challenge tradition.
The Name “Jaya”
Her name means “victory,” but ironically she feels defeated. The name symbolizes the contrast between expectation and reality.
✅ 5. Conclusion
That Long Silence is a powerful feminist and psychological novel. Through Jaya’s inner journey, Shashi Deshpande shows the emotional cost of silence in marriage. The novel criticizes patriarchy but does not promote rebellion; instead, it suggests communication and understanding. The ending is hopeful because Jaya decides to speak and rebuild her identity. The novel teaches that true strength lies in self-expression and equality.