DAUGHTER

About the Author

Lata Jagtiani has an MA in English Literature. She has authored seven books: Temple Bells and Other
Stories, Bhagavad Gita in 365 Days, Towards Light, Sindhi Reflections, Mumbai Terror Attacks, OP
Nayyar, King of Melody and Dada's Wisdom. She has also been a lecturer in English in Mumbai and
Dubai colleges. Over the years, several articles and book reviews penned by her have been published by
newspapers including The Times of India, DNA and The Pioneer. She loves nature, books, music and
films.

Summary

The prose speaks about the inequality of sharing between sons and daughters. There are many major
and minor characters in this prose. Deepa is the main Character, Soreb Sahib, Suresh Chhabria father of
Deepa, Rakesh, Gopal, Ashok and Sunil (children of Suresh). The story begins in the office of the lawyer
Soreb Sahib where (will reading) is going on. Deepa is given Seven lakhs in the form of Reserve Bank of
Indian bonds. The property was divided among the four sons of Suresh. At the first reading all were
happy but the total property was worth Six Crores, but overall the daughter was given only Seven Lakhs,
which is less compared to the total worth. Deepa and Soreb Sahib are still in the room but the others
have left the scene. Deepa is seen watching a cricket match outside the window from the sixth floor,
when she is interrupted by a call, she was working for a travel agency where she earned some money.

Suresh Chhabria the father was hostile towards his daughter, he had also divided the property unevenly
among the sons and daughter whom the lawyer Soreb Sahib had mentioned to him but he did not heed
to that. Suresh had also denied job to Deepa in his own Company and thus she had to join a travel
agency.

The lawyer Soreb tells Deepa to wait while as he would send forth a car for her to go to her workplace
but she rejects the offer. She leaves the office to the nearby bus stop. The lawyer still was very disturbed
over the unequal share of property between the sons and daughter. The story ends with Deepa getting
wet in the rain near the bus stop with water dripping like tears. The irony of the text is the daughter of
crores of property is standing in a bus stop. The author wants to hint at the unequal division between
sons and daughters in Indian society.

Through this prose the writer possibly makes a mention of the difference between the male and female
section that exists not only in the society but even within the family. In this prose we can see that the
property of a family was unevenly divided among the children. The major concern of this prose is the
author's view that the women folk were always deprived and victimised within the family. The author's
ambition is to evoke the sense of responsibility and make the people aware of this difference that
happens. The author's opinion would be that we should downgrade the difference within our area
especially the difference that exists within the family. If one is able to diminish the difference that exists
within the family then we should not have a problem in the society. The prose ends with a sad tone
where we can see Deepa the daughter of a rich father standing in the bus stand. Possibly the writer
hints at the victimisation that happen within the family and in turn moves towards the society.

Another major aspect that one can see is the mention of game of cricket which becomes a maj symbol
possibly due to unity and decision making. The distributing fact of all analysis is Deepa's brothers who
never tried to sacrifice and take a good decision.

Paragraph Answer Questions

1. The cricket match gives solace to the pain and humiliation Deepa receives at the office. Justify.

Ans: After the reading of the will at Saheb's office, except for Deepa, all her brothers were not surprised
as the will was according to what they expected. Her father had given everything to his four sons and
Deepa was only left with seven lakh rupees. Deepa was sitting quietly facing the window and was
watching attentively the one-day cricket match which was being played in the opposite maidan of the
lawyer's office, so that she could hide and divert her pain.

There was a strange, unusual stillness about her. She knew there was no use of crying. Her father had
not given her a fair share for her in his property just because she was the daughter. He had followed the
male domination system and had given all his property to his four sons.

When Deepa found that the batsman was not out of the crease, yet the umpire raised his finger and had
made him out, she asked Sohrab about it. Then Sohrab told her that on the poor batsman must go with
the umpire's verdict, even d if it's unfair, as Sohrab knew what was going through her hus mind. Sohrab
was indirectly pointing out to Deepa's present situation as he knew that her father had not done his will
fairly for his daughter. When her eyes met his he could see no tears, no tension, no worries and no
sorrow. There was only an empty and airless space where light and joy had once lived. She reminded
him of a dredged lake he had once seen, motionless and vacant. It was as if somebody else was sitting
upright watching the cricket match. The cricket match was a way of escape for Deepa to keep her mind
away from the pain and humiliation she was having inside after hearing the will.

[Link] were the brothers neither surprised nor alarmed after hearing the will?

Ans: According to the flow of the story. We can come to a conclusion that the author is hinting at a
division which is payunjust in the life of Deepa. She was disturbed to see that her own family and her
own brothers were hostile to the unequal division. The author points that unequal division and lack of
unity among family itself penetrates the society. The author says if inequality gender discrimination
happens within a family itself then there is no chance of change to be seen in the society. The author
says, probably the brothers knew for themselves that they would get a greater a portion as their share
hence they would not be surprised nor alarmed by the division of the will. They could have already
known about the will and knew beforehand about the share they would receive. Another reason could
be as males they knew the property would be divided in that manner.
3. Deepa's brothers were only an extension of their father's mindset. Explain? Guvellemion Lotosun
sulton Ans: Deepa had graduated in commerce and her percentage had been higher than that of her
four brothers. Even then every a time when she asked her father for joining his office he ignored her.
Her qualifications did not qualify her. Deepa was never considered by her father for running his business
from the very beginning. She had studied further and had a Evo post-graduate degree and then a
diploma in marketing still it didn't make any difference to her father as he had a male dominating mind-
set. When the lawyer asked about giving so less to his only daughter even after she taking care of him he
replies in irritation. 'What's wrong with the will as Deepa had her job at the travel agency that's paying
her ten thousand rupees a month, along with an expense account.

Her father who followed the patriarchal system did not have any doubts about the way he decided to
put the will. He a concludes that she won't need more than that. So the brothers who had grown up in
such a male dominating environment over would naturally have the same mind-set and so they didn't
find anything odd or unnatural with their father's will as U they also believed in male dominating mind-
set.

4. How did the brothers respond to the will? What does it say of their attitude?

Ans: The brothers were neither surprised nor alarmed after hearing the will as the will was according to
their expectations, They were in good spirits as the will was in their favour. Cash, property, assets, the
office, the cars, the jewellery, the farmhouse, the paintings, all were equally divided among the four
sons. All the brothers seemed to be happy with the will as it was exactly as per their expectations. The
eldest brother reacted normally and before going out of lawyer's office he even asked Deepa whether
she was coming. The other three brothers quickly pushed their chairs back and stood up and thanked
the lawyer shook hands with him and left as if there was nothing unusual. The very fact that the
brothers did not show any reaction to the will was just like their father they also had the mind-set of
patriarchy where men had all the power and social privilege and control over property

Deepa had graduated in commerce and her percentage had been higher than that of her four brothers.
Even then every time when she asked her father for joining his office he ignored her. She had studied
further, a post-graduate degree and then a diploma in marketing management. Her qualifications did
not qualify her. Her father who followed the patriarchal system did not have any doubts about the way
he decided to put the will. He concludes that she won't i need more than that. So the brothers who had
grown up in Fsuch a male dominating environment would naturally have the same mind-set and so they
didn't find anything odd or unnatural with their father's will as they also believed in male dominating
mind-set. Gender inequality is clearly evident from her father's will where men have been claiming all
privileges and powers and had the attitude that women are inferior to them.

5. How is the umpire's decision a metaphor to Deepa's condition?

Ans: After the reading of the will at Saheb's office, except for Deepa, all her brothers were not surprised
as the will was according to what they expected. Her father had given everything to his four sons and
Deepa was only left with seven lakh rupees. Deepa was sitting quietly facing the window and was
watching attentively the one-day cricket match which was being played in the opposite maidan of the
lawyer's office, so that she could hide and divert her pain. There was a strange, unusual stillness about
her. She knew there was no use of crying. Her father had not given her a fair share for her in his
property just because she was the daughter. He had followed the male domination system and had
given all his property to his four son's.

When Deepa found that the batsman was not out of the crease, yet the umpire raised his finger and had
made him out, she asked Sohrab about it. Then Sohrab told her that the poor batsman must go with the
umpire's verdict, even if it's unfair, as Sohrab knew what was going through her mind. Sohrab was
indirectly pointing out to Deepa's present situation as he knew that her father had not done his will
fairly for his daughter. When her eyes met his he could see no tears, no tension, no worries and no
sorrow. There was only an empty and airless space where light and joy had once lived. She reminded
him of a dredged lake he had once seen, motionless and vacant. It was as if somebody else was sitting
upright watching the cricket match. The cricket match was a way of escape for Deepa to keep her mind
away from the pain and humiliation she was having inside after hearing the will.

Essay Answer Questions.

1. How is patriarchy reflected in the story?

Ans: In the story Daughter written by Lata Jagthiani, we can see a clear reflection of patriarchy. Deepa's
father followed a patriarchal system which was predominant in all his actions. His will was the proof of
that. Deepa's father strictly followed the patriarchal system where men hold all the powers whether it is
in the society or in one's family. Even at though Deepa was a post graduate and was highly qualified
than her brothers to take up her father's business, her father never considered her for joining his
business. In spite of her asking her father about joining the business he ignored her, just for the reason
that she was the daughter of the house and not the son. And finally when he wrote his will he only left.
her with a meagre amount and rest of all his cash, property. assets, the office, the cars, the jewellery,
the farmhouse, the paintings, all were equally divided among the four sons. Even the lawyer who was
her father's friend found it very surprising that his friend had written only very little amount for his
daughter. When he asked Deepa's father why he had written so little for Deepa, he justifies his decision
and never had any doubt regarding his decision. He concludes that she won't need more than that. Even
the brothers, who had grown up in such a male dominating environment, had the same mind-set. When
they heard the will, they didn't bad find anything odd or unnatural with their father's will, as the will was
as they expected. They also believed in patriarchy. Gender inequality is clearly evident in the story from
her father's will and her brother's attitude towards the will. where men had been claiming all privileges
and powers and carried the attitude that women are inferior to them. Thus the author brings out the
picture of the patriarchal system which is still followed in many families.

2. Deepa's care for her father too couldn't change Suresh's mind. How do you react to this conclusion?

Ans: Deepa is seen watching a cricket match outside the window from the sixth floor, when she is
interrupted by a call, she was working for a travel agency where she earned some money.
Suresh Chhabria the father was hostile towards his daughter, he had also divided the property unevenly
among the sons and daughter whom the lawyer Soreb Sahib had mentioned to him but he did not heed
to that, Suresh had also denied job to Deepa in his own Company and thus she had to join a travel
agency.

The lawyer Soreb tells Deepa to wait while as he would send forth a car for her to go to her workplace
but she rejects the offer. She leaves the office to the nearby bus stop. The lawyer still was very disturbed
over the unequal share of property between the sons and daughter. The story ends with Deepa getting
wet in the rain near the bus stop with water dripping like tears. The irony of the text is the daughter of
crores of property is standing in a bus stop. The author wants to hint at the unequal division between
sons and daughters in Indian society.

3. Comment on the ending of the story.

Ans: This story evokes an interest in the reader because it is filled with twists. The prose appeals to the
readers both male and female. The story is quite challenging because all characters reveal the problem
of injustice associated with Deepa. Its quite evident that none of the brothers were ever bothered to
solve the problem faced by their own sister who was a family member to them. This kind behaviour is
disturbing and the author shows through the character of Deepa that how women are victimised in the
society and they suffer due to this due to this discrimination.

The author has tried to bring the context to reality, time and again. The story from the challenged faced,
to the outcome generated in the character. Ultimately the women were at the receiving end of
injustices. The lesson concludes with Deepa not enjoying an equal share in the property. The final
depiction of the whole story is that women were not accepted and they had to face frequent challenges.

4. Decisions alter destiny. Discuss with reference to the story.

Ans: The story depicts the gender differences that exist in the Indian society. This prose speaks about
the inequality of sharing between sons and daughters. There are many major and minor characters in
this prose. Deepa is the main Character, Soreb Sahib, Suresh Chhabria father of Deepa, Rakesh, Gopal,
Ashok and Sunil (children of Suresh). The story begins in the office of the lawyer Soreb Sahib where (will
reading) is going on. Deepa is given Seven lakhs in the form of Reserve Bank of Indian bonds. The
property was divided among the four sons of Suresh. At the first reading all were happy but the total
property was worth Six Crores, but overall the daughter was given only Seven Lakhs, which tot is less
compared to the total worth.

Suresh Chhabria the father was hostile towards his daughter, he had also divided the property unevenly
among the sons and daughter whom the lawyer Soreb Sahib had mentioned to him but he did not heed
to that. Suresh had also denied job to Deepa in his own Company and thus she had to join a travel
agency.

The lawyer Soreb tells Deepa to wait while he would send forth a car for her to go to her workplace but
she rejects the offer. She leaves the office to the nearby bus stop. The lawyer still was very disturbed
over the unequal share of property between the sons and daughter. The story ends with Deepa getting
wet in the rain near the bus stop with water dripping like tears. The irony of the text is the daughter
worth crores of property is standing at a bus stop. The author wants to depict the unequal division
between sons and daughters in Indian society.

The attitude of the males towards the females in our society. colour their judgements like it happens
with the father in the story. The father distributes the whole property between his sons and daughters.
It's a very unequal distribution that happens. The lawyer and everyone else involved understand that its
wrong but they are helpless and can be just audience to see the action unfolding.