–How does justice work in the world of “Punishment”? What happens when one tells the truth? What happens when one lies?
–What do we make of Chandara’s choice to take responsibility for the death of her sister-in-law? Do you see her as a hero or as a victim?
–Explain the significance of the details Tagore offers about the marriage between Chandara and Chidam. How do they help us understand the events of the story?
–How do you understand the title of the story?
–As she approaches death, Chandara both says, “to hell with him,” and maintains that she loves her husband. How do you reconcile these two apparently contradictory statements?
How do you understand the title of the story?
This story takes place in the 19th century, where men had power over women. Dukhiram’s wife in this story is punished by death because she put herself against him. Overall, the most cruel punishment during this time is that men had to live without their subordinates.
Chandra decides to take to blame for the death of her sister-in-law, as according to her husband’s initial plan. She decided to take the blame because she felt that by her going against her husband’s wishes, she is making a statement of power. In addition, Chandra also feels that she would rather be dead than to stand being with her husband for another day.
–How do you understand the title of the story?
In my opinion, the one who was punished at the end was the younger husband. He sacrificed his wife for his brother, eventually thinking he would be able to save her, and by putting the blame on herself, Chandra makes sure her husband will spend the rest of his life in guilt and remorse. Yes, she paid with her life, but she was acting out of anger and in the light of the fight they had right before the older wife was murdered. I think even though she loved her husband she understood that life next to him will be full of sorrow, and it seems like dying was a better choice for her.
How do you understand the title of the story?
I think that the title refers to the punishment of guilt that both brothers feel for coming up with a plan and the older brother for killing his wife and having someone else take the blame. Chandra is the only one that gets physically punished, but the brothers have to endure the emotional punishment.
My take on the title is that the people begin punished are the two brothers. I say this because the brothers seem to love their wives but because they decided to blame an innocent girl for the murder if another woman they caused the death of two innocent women. this is punishment because they now have to live with the conscience that they killed two innocent people by their own hands
How do you understand the title of the story?
I think that title does not only apply to one of our characters. The title itself is about the concept of punishment and different forms of it. Dukhirams wife undergoes it. As well as Chandra’s husband. Characters go through their own form of punishment throughout the story. It can be more intense than others but it is a form of punishment despite the degree.
I understand the title of the story as a punishment for Chidam because he falsely told the police that his wife killed his sister in law in order to spare his brother’s life. He belives it would be better to loose his wife hat to loose his brother, but regrets his actions and attempts to save his wife. However, he has already betrayed her and she would rather face death then return to his side. She is not the one punished by him, but rather he is by her because her death will continue to haunt him and cause guilt.