It's been over two years since I read "A suitable boy" by Vikram Seth and the ending still disappoints me. I still can't figure out what Lata was thinking when she chose the uninteresting and mundane Harish over the passionate lover Kabir. How could she sacrifice the youthful excitement that Kabir used to ignite in her and settle in for the boring stability of Harish? But surprisingly, Lata is content at the end and that is what shakes all your belief in the Romio-Juliet, Laila-Majnu chronicles. It leaves you wondering if love can be defined differently; if prudence and responsibility holds as much importance as passion.
Lata first saw Kabir in college, donned in a white shirt and trousers preparing for a tournament in the cricket field. They started meeting each other after college hours, talking about poetry and music. He wanted to explore the world, still undecided on what he aspired to make out of himself. She wanted to be there for him, comfort him in his lows and support him in finding his destiny. But when Mrs Mehra, Lata's mother comes to know that Kabir is a Muslim, Lata just gives in to her mother's wishes. Kabir always stays right there in her heart but unlike our Juliet, Lata does not fight for this passionate affair.
Mrs Mehra, disturbed by our rebellious Lata's escapades goes on a crazy groom hunting spree. Harish, a manager at a shoe factory, is someone she finds suitable for her girl. Harish is an orphan, raised by his uncle. Bad times ensured that he could never indulge in cricket, poetry or music. He was always prudent with money, had a low sense of fashion and could never use those fancy english words with women. When the proposal comes in, he goes an extra mile to arrange a decent luncheon at his workplace for Lata and her family. Unlike Kabir, Harish is not a talker. All that he can talk about is shoes and leather. Lata's Oxford educated brother encourages her not to give in their mother's foolish ideas and reject Harish, the lowly shoemaker, definitely not a match for his polished sister.
Vikram Seth maintains the suspense over Lata's decision till the last chapter of the novel and all that while I am sure everyone including me, who has read this book, keeps praying for Kabir. Kabir was the one who loved her and Harish was only looking for a wife - why then would she choose Harish? I felt angry at Vikram Seth for making this choice for her but today looking back I feel that I have begun to understand Lata a little better. I am surer today that her choice was that of a life of certainty and not passion that may just run out with bad times. Lata understood that marriage, was a different ballgame altogether and probably, just those sparks that she experienced with Kabir are not enough to sustain it.
Marriage is a social contract and before signing up for it, the heart and mind should both be put to good use. Harish was a man with a plan in mind, who felt responsible for Lata. He saw her as a wife and was ready to do everything to make the marriage work. The love that Kabir had for Lata, was definitely true, but that's not all what is needed to execute the contract of marriage. Marriage is more about stability than passion. You can't expect the same kind of fire to last for your entire life and so if you are marrying for that, do rethink. If you can experience peace and serenity around someone, maybe that's the right person to get married to.
P.S. - The writer has absolutely no worthwhile experience to be writing such an article. So do take it with a pinch of salt.
Lata first saw Kabir in college, donned in a white shirt and trousers preparing for a tournament in the cricket field. They started meeting each other after college hours, talking about poetry and music. He wanted to explore the world, still undecided on what he aspired to make out of himself. She wanted to be there for him, comfort him in his lows and support him in finding his destiny. But when Mrs Mehra, Lata's mother comes to know that Kabir is a Muslim, Lata just gives in to her mother's wishes. Kabir always stays right there in her heart but unlike our Juliet, Lata does not fight for this passionate affair.
Mrs Mehra, disturbed by our rebellious Lata's escapades goes on a crazy groom hunting spree. Harish, a manager at a shoe factory, is someone she finds suitable for her girl. Harish is an orphan, raised by his uncle. Bad times ensured that he could never indulge in cricket, poetry or music. He was always prudent with money, had a low sense of fashion and could never use those fancy english words with women. When the proposal comes in, he goes an extra mile to arrange a decent luncheon at his workplace for Lata and her family. Unlike Kabir, Harish is not a talker. All that he can talk about is shoes and leather. Lata's Oxford educated brother encourages her not to give in their mother's foolish ideas and reject Harish, the lowly shoemaker, definitely not a match for his polished sister.
Vikram Seth maintains the suspense over Lata's decision till the last chapter of the novel and all that while I am sure everyone including me, who has read this book, keeps praying for Kabir. Kabir was the one who loved her and Harish was only looking for a wife - why then would she choose Harish? I felt angry at Vikram Seth for making this choice for her but today looking back I feel that I have begun to understand Lata a little better. I am surer today that her choice was that of a life of certainty and not passion that may just run out with bad times. Lata understood that marriage, was a different ballgame altogether and probably, just those sparks that she experienced with Kabir are not enough to sustain it.
Marriage is a social contract and before signing up for it, the heart and mind should both be put to good use. Harish was a man with a plan in mind, who felt responsible for Lata. He saw her as a wife and was ready to do everything to make the marriage work. The love that Kabir had for Lata, was definitely true, but that's not all what is needed to execute the contract of marriage. Marriage is more about stability than passion. You can't expect the same kind of fire to last for your entire life and so if you are marrying for that, do rethink. If you can experience peace and serenity around someone, maybe that's the right person to get married to.
P.S. - The writer has absolutely no worthwhile experience to be writing such an article. So do take it with a pinch of salt.
