After reading 'A Real Durwan,’ I’ve found Boori Ma to be one of the most interesting characters I’ve encountered this semester. Boori Ma is a refugee of the Partition of India in 1947, which was an event that had a huge impact on both the people involved as well as their descendants. In the story, Boori Ma often reminisces on her old life before the partition, mentioning marble floors and baths scattered with flower petals. She sorrowfully recalls her four daughters and husband. While the other dwellers sympathize with Boori Ma, it is clear that they are also slightly annoyed that she keeps mentioning her previous wealth. This makes sense- the apartment is a very middle-class residence, without much money for luxuries. They are also annoyed because they believe Boori Ma’s stories are complete lies—something that the reader may suspect as well.
Personally, I believe that there may be truth within her stories. Often times lies are based on a small truth, and just travel further and further away over time. As a refugee, Boori Ma very likely experienced intense emotions: sorrow over losing her belongings, home and perhaps her family. While some of the material things may have not truly existed, the emotions are definitely there.
And that’s why I don't think it matters if she's lying. Believe her, don't believe her, how much of a difference does it really make? The feelings she's experiencing are what really matter. It's similar to Tim O'Brien's war stories: a story's 'truth' is its ability to capture raw emotion. And for both O'Brien and Boori Ma, telling their stories to others (in her case, she only has the tenants as her audience) may be their own way to cope with the pain of loss.
I agree with you! I really like the comparison you make to Tim O'Brien's war stories. I see the resemblance, and I also thought that these stories were a way for her to cope. The tenants were way too harsh on her for her stories, and it made me sad to read the ending. She didn't deserve to be treated like that. Nice post!
ReplyDeleteYou bring up a really interesting issue to think about. The first time I read the story I leaned toward the opinion of the people in the building, believing that she was lying about her previous grandeur, however, you're right. It doesn't really matter either way. She clearly has been through a lot and her constant stories show that regardless of what she used to have, she longs for a better life than the one she is currently living.
ReplyDeleteBringing things back to Tim O'Brien and about the subjectiveness of truth is really cool. I think I agree with you; it really doesn't matter if Boori Ma is lying about her past life, as long as the emotions she had from them are the same. In that way, though, it kind of feels strange to have her tell all these things to the residents, who brush her off and just say that she has ash in her mouth or whatever. Like that the truth is being lost on the audience, or something.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree, for the amount of detail and passion she gives about her stories, there must be a bit of truth behind her background. For me, the stories aren't just emotions and memories, but the only lasting connection she has to her family. By repeating and remembering what she has left of them, she is ingraining their importance and role in her life, and giving them the significance she feels they deserve. It is unfortunate that none of the tenants seem to understand this complex relationship completely.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. I bet she did have a husband and kids and at least lived in a more suitable residence than the one she is stuck in now. But, as you say, does it even matter? The point is that she is now trapped in a state of poverty and is separated from her family. At the end of the story, even if she did lie about her previous condition, she is the one who is again the victim.
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