critical appreciation of
The
jungle major
Answers
Answer:
The Jungle Major By Temsula Ao is a short story which is part of a larger collection of short stories titled “These Hills called home: Stories from a war zone“. It (and the collection) is centered around the insurgency in Nagaland, and sheds light on the cruel experiences of it’s people during the insurgency, as the Indian Government sought to establish peace and order in truly terrifying ways. The story provides one with more insight on the Naga peoples’ stand on the question of nationality, and makes an outsider like me question our government’s actions. The story also comments on how class, gender and love operates in the societal context of Nagaland. The narrative is intense because of the context of war it is set in, and societal norms through which it weaved.
The story begins with two lovers in bed, who are a mismatched pair “due to the immense disparity between not only their outward appearance but also the family positions” (Ao 1). It goes on to express the resentment of their relationship, and rumours spread about the couple due to the disapproval as a product of the social force. The two lovers, Punaba and Khatila, get married a year before the talk of insurgency begins in Nagaland. The young and old are swept up in patriotic zeal for an independent nation, the former more than the latter. Punaba (young himself) soon joins the rebel army and becomes awfully notorious, putting his wife and village in danger of being punished by the Indian army. This only further deepens the scorn with which the couple is viewed.
This disapproval of society, of their love, reminds me of Arundhati Roy’s The God Of Small Things, in which she talks about love laws that govern “who should be loved, and how. And how much” (Roy 209-210). The lovers in the story are not allowed to love because of notion of who can love who. Punaba is short, dark and has buck teeth. He’s merely a taxi driver belonging to a family from a minor clan in the village, whereas Khatila is tall, fair, slim and possessed of the most charming smile. The gap between their class, clan and looks makes them unfit for each other in the eyes of society. The distinction between what is desirable in a man and a woman to be loved is apparent. It would have been desirable for Punaba to have a high paying job. It is also important to note that her worth is measured by her looks and the education qualification of the men (her brother) she’s associated with. According to their gender, their jobs are divided; Khatila is the homemaker, whereas Punaba must earn outdoors. From a city perspective, this might seem like clear discrimination (which it is, yes), but it is important keep in mind that this has been the traditional way in which they have existed. Hence, before one makes a stand on it (or calls for change), it’s important to keep in mind their context and how they view it. For example, Khatila doesn’t see the role of a homemaker as one from a town perspective would view it (which is usually that it is not a job at all or someone with a ‘liberal’ perspective might just assume she’s being forced into, though I will not deny the effect of conditioning of woman that does take place. But it is important to keep in mind what the same woman would want now). They are both following norms of gender which are vaguely expressed but not outrightly criticised by Ao.
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