People have a tendency to make lies in order to hide the truth and they continue to lie to hide their previous lie. However, they do not realize that this chain of lies can be detrimental as it creates a bigger damage on oneself or another being. In Tagore’s “Punishment”, Chidam, who was traumatized by his brother’s wrongdoing blurts out a false statement because “when immediate danger threatens, it is hard to think of other dangers.” In order to protect his brother, Chidam, unknowingly, says that his wife, Chandara, killed his sister-in-law. As the creator of the lie, Chidam feels uneasy throughout the entire story because he put his wife into a horrible position as a criminal. He becomes even more nervous when Chandara does not follow the plan he came up with, which is lying that the older sister-in-law had tried to attack her first. Although Chandara is given the death sentence, she ultimately defeats Chidam and Dukhiram. She portrays her self-esteem by not conforming to Chidam’s plan. Her acceptance of the punishment symbolizes Chandara’s strength as an individual being rather than as Chidam’s unvalued wife.
Assignment 7 – Rose Kim
October 30, 2015 Written by y.kim | 5 Comments
Categories: Uncategorized
5 responses so far ↓
yg111658 // Oct 30th 2015 at 10:16 pm
I agree with you in many points of your story. But specifically agree in your last sentence, that Chandara’s acceptance of her punishment symbolizes her strength. I think it was very strong of her to take that decision and just blatantly take the blame for the crime. Especially at the scene of the guillotine, she was fearless to the end, rather being killed than to live as an unvalued wife.
b.lo // Oct 30th 2015 at 11:16 pm
As blood is thicker than water, it’s understandable in why the brothers would think of sacrificing the wife over themselves. By lying to the public, the brothers were able to hid themselves away from the shame. Once a lie has started, the only way left is to make a bigger lie to cover the older lie. In the end, the lie would either become ridiculous, or shatter apart. Even though Chandra had to experience the public defamation, she stood sturdy and went through the full process to keep her own dignity.
Brandon Andujar // Oct 31st 2015 at 12:21 am
I agree with all of the points that you’ve made. You’ve chosen a great quote, which embodies an ethical point in the story. As mentioned by others, it is your ending that is powerful. The idea that Chandara is the “winner” in the story because she doesn’t conform is great. You do a great job of channeling Chandara’s inner character and using it to demonstrate how the end of the story was impacted. One suggestion I have is to build on your second to last sentence because its a great idea and could be explained more thoroughly.
m.lee // Oct 31st 2015 at 1:38 am
I agree with you that the wife’s decision to die rather than to continue living under the oppression of her husband is a symbol of Chandara’s strength as an individual being. It shows that she broke free of her husband’s will and she chose to go out on her own terms and judging by her last words to her mother, she seems to be quite content with her decision. The decision to die was her own and it shows how pushed down women must of been during that time that death is viewed as the better option.
JMERLE // Oct 31st 2015 at 12:43 pm
Rose,
You make some very perceptive comments here, but I’m not quite sure if your focus is the consequences of lying (for the liar) or the response to not conform to the “accepted” lie.
Both of your assertions are quite important, I think, just try to become more focused in your response.
Your comments about both Chandara and Chidam are quite elucidating, however, and I like that you try to be sympathetic to both. This is something we’ll discuss more in class.
9/10