What does Sibia’s life show about the life of the people living in the vicinity of the forests? How was Sibia’s life different from the gujar women’s?
-with reference to the story ‘the blue bead’ by Norah Burke
Answers
A beautiful contrast is well perceived between the Gujar woman and Sibia. The Gujar woman is mainly portrayed as a woman utterly helpless and passive when the crocodile attacked her. Not even the least daring and brave she was about to succumb to the crocodile had Sibia not appeared like a savior and hastened to relief her from the clutch of the crocodile.
In spite of being a member of the same community the Gujar woman was not brave enough like Sibia. Sibia appears in the story as a girl of hardihood, indomitable courage and will. She well understands her existential struggle. Even though she is a little girl, she is found fearless throughout the story. Her feeling for others makes her unsung hero of the story.
Soldier-like tenacity of the girl is really extraordinary. She appears out and out hard-working and adventurous girl of the Gujar community. She is the specimen of intractable will power, in sharp contrast to the Gujar woman.