Rajmohan's Wife" is a novel written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in the late 19th century (1864). It is a story that takes place in colonial India and explores the themes of love, rebellion, and social norms. The novel is considered a classic in Indian literature and has been studied and analyzed by scholars for many years. In this blog, we will provide a comprehensive summary of Rajmohan's wife, highlighting its key themes and characters.
Table of Contents
Summary of Rajmohan's Wife
Here is the chapter-wise summary of Rajmohan's wife:
The Drawers of Water
The novella begins in a secluded village called Radhaganj in the Bengal Presidency, where a nameless thirty-year-old woman wakes up from an afternoon nap, gets dressed, and leaves her home to visit a nearby house. Here, she meets an eighteen-year-old woman who is already married, and the two strike up a conversation. During their conversation, the thirty-year-old woman reveals her name to be Kanakmayee, but she goes by Kanak. After some persuasion, Kanak convinces the eighteen-year-old woman to go with her to the nearby river to fetch water, even though the young woman is afraid of her husband's reaction. She takes a pitcher and goes along with Kanak.
The Two Cousins
In a different location, two male cousins are engaged in a conversation. The older one is named Mathur Ghose and the younger one is called Madhav Ghose. Mathur is recounting his recent arrival in Radhaganj after leaving Calcutta, when they both look out the window and notice Kanak and the eighteen-year-old married woman returning home. Suddenly, a gust of wind blows the veil off the younger woman's face, revealing her identity as Matangini, the wife of Rajmohan who also lives in Radhaganj. Kanak and Matangini then head back to their respective homes, with Matangini being anxious about how her husband will react.
The Truant's Return Home
At that moment, Kanak spotted Rajmohan by the door, who aimed to restrict his wife's independence. He callously emptied the water she had just fetched onto the dust heap. His wife stood motionless, resembling a statue. When she defended herself, stating she saw nothing wrong in going out, Rajmohan grabbed her wrist aggressively. His violent intentions became clear as he seemed poised to harm her severely. Tears welled up in the woman's eyes as the situation grew increasingly distressing.
The History of the Rise and Progress of a Zamindar Family
In a flashback, the story revolves around the rise of a Bengali zamindar family. It all started when a young cook named Bangshibadan Ghose caught the attention of a woman who was managing the zamindari estate. The woman later became his second wife in the presence of his first wife. Upon her death, the zamindari passed to Bangshibadan's hands. He then shifted to Radhaganj and established his own estate. Bangshibadan lived his life to the fullest and after his passing, his property was divided among his three sons: Ramkanta, Ramkanai, and Ramgopal.
Ramkanta, Mathur's father, wished for his son not to receive a proper English education but to learn how to manage the estate. On the other hand, Ramkanai, Madhav's father, was known for his indolent and extravagant nature. Due to his poor financial decisions, he lost most of his property. Nevertheless, he made sure to give his son Madhav the best education he could afford and arranged for him to marry Hemangini, a poor-yet-good-natured woman who was the younger sister of Matangini. Matangini, Ramkanai's daughter, married Rajmohan in an arranged marriage.
Later, Matangini appealed to Hemangini to talk to Madhav about providing Rajmohan with a job. Hemangini struggled to fulfill the task, but Madhav later spoke with Rajmohan directly and offered him a supervisor position on his estate, promising his family a house in Radhaganj. Although Rajmohan was initially infuriated by the proposal, he reluctantly accepted it and moved with Matangini to the house provided by Madhav in Radhaganj.
Ramgopal, the remaining son who remained childless throughout his life, bequeathed his entire property to Madhav upon his death, under the condition that Madhav takes care of Ramgopal's widowed wife. The story portrays the complex interplay of family relationships and the cultural norms that govern them.
A Letter-A Visit to the Zenana
The story now shifts back to the present, where Madhav receives a letter from his lawyer, Gokul Chandra Das, informing him that his aunt, Ramgopal's widowed wife, has filed a lawsuit against him. She alleges that Ramgopal's will was forged and that Madhav has illegally obtained Ramgopal's property. Gokul reveals that he has discovered that "councillors" have aided Madhav's aunt in this case, and that he is fighting the case with all his might.
After finishing the letter, Madhav decides to meet his aunt and ventures into the zenana of his house. He calms the chaos there and asks his matron about the whereabouts of his aunt. They learn that Madhav's aunt has been spotted near the pond of Mathur's house during bathing time. Suspecting Mathur to be the supposed "councillor," Madhav asks one of the women to go and ask his aunt to return, "and in case she refuses, find out her reasons." The story highlights the ongoing conflicts and legal battles that threaten the stability of the family and its relationships.
Midnight Plotting
The story returns to Matangini who, without eating dinner, stays in her chamber reminiscing about her childhood with her sister. She stands up to open the window when she overhears a conversation between Rajmohan and a dacoit leader called the Sardar in the garden outside her room. They discuss planning a robbery in Madhav's house to steal Ramgopal's will. Rajmohan demands a large portion of the loot in exchange for providing the dacoit with information. To ensure no one hears them, Rajmohan checks Matangini's room to make sure she is asleep. Matangini pretends to be asleep to avoid detection, but after they leave, she decides to warn Madhav about the planned dacoity.
Love Can Conquer Fear
Matangini leaves her house, almost running into the dacoits, and manages to reach Madhav's house where she warns him of the danger.
Forwarned and Forearmed
Madhav arms his guards, and they scare off the dacoits by howling at the top of their voices.
We Meet to Part
Matangini reveals her love for Madhav, and he listens but does not respond.
The Return
Karuna, Madhav's housekeeper, accompanies Matangini back home, but on the way, a storm forces them to hurry. When Matangini reaches home, Rajmohan confronts her in a rage, brandishing a knife.
When Thieves Fall Out
As he is about to attack her, the Sardar and his accomplice Bhiku break into the room from the window and viciously attack Rajmohan, assuming he betrayed them. Rajmohan explains everything, but they still plan to kill Matangini, only to find she has fled. Rajmohan swears to kill Matangini.
The Friends and the Stranger
Matangini meets with Kanak and confides that she had to flee due to Rajmohan's anger and that she is in dire need of shelter. In a stroke of unexpected luck, Suki's mother offers to provide her with shelter in her relatives' house.
The Protectress
The scene now shifts to Mathur's household, which is described as being poorly maintained. Matangini converses with Tara, Mathur's elder wife who is 28 years old. Suki's mother embellishes the story of Matangini's misfortune, which Tara promises to address, but only with Mathur's permission to let Matangini stay. Mathur arrives a few minutes later, and after hearing Tara's request, he agrees to allow Matangini to stay in their house.
Between Rival Charmers
However, Mathur's younger wife, Champak, who is 20 years old, does not take kindly to Matangini's presence in their house and fears losing her husband's affection. An argument ensues between Mathur and Champak about the matter, with Champak persistently urging Mathur to not let Matangini stay, and Mathur disagreeing with her. The issue remains unresolved that night.
The next morning, Mathur receives an unexpected visitor claiming to be Rajmohan. He comes to take Matangini back with him, claiming to have forgiven her and wanting her to return to their home. Matangini, who is weak and battered, is handed over to her husband.
Consultations and Council
The story then shifts to a dilapidated hovel located deep in the forest of Radhaganj. The Sardar and Bhiku are inside the hovel, discussing their next plan of stealing Ramgopal's will from Madhav's lawyer. Rajmohan arrives and tells them that he found Matangini in Mathur's house. The trio discusses getting rid of Matangini, with Rajmohan stating that although he hates her, his desire to kill her is gone. The Sardar suggests that Rajmohan should abandon his family, take Matangini, and join them as a fellow dacoit. Initially hesitant, Rajmohan eventually agrees due to the Sardar's threats and his own desire to leave Madhav's neighborhood.
Later, after returning home and sitting down for lunch, Rajmohan asks his sister Kishori to call Matangini, whom he left in the company of Suki's mother to escort her home. Kishori informs him that Matangini has not returned yet. Angry, Rajmohan sends Kishori and his aunt to search for Matangini, but they return empty-handed.
What Befell Our Hero
It has been three days since Matangini's sudden disappearance, and Madhav is sitting alone in his room contemplating the lawsuit from his aunt and Matangini's fate. As he stands on the balcony, unable to shake off his thoughts, Madhav notices something strange in his garden. Wielding a small sword, he ventures outside to investigate but is suddenly attacked and kidnapped by two powerful men after a wild shriek.
The Vigilance of Love
Meanwhile, Mathur is trying to fall asleep in Tara's chamber, but she senses his restlessness and persistently asks him about it. However, Mathur remains silent and eventually admits that he cannot reveal anything to her. As they are talking, they hear a screech-owl's shriek, and Mathur rushes out of the room. Tara becomes alarmed and tries to locate him from the balcony, but he does not return for a long time, leading her to suspect that he may be involved in some foul play.
Captors and Captive
The story takes a turn as Madhav wakes up in a dark room, completely alone after being abducted. As his eyes adjust to the darkness, he realizes that he is in a small godown room. Soon after, the Sardar and Bhiku enter the room, revealing themselves to be his kidnappers. Despite Madhav's persistent questioning about who employed them for the kidnapping, the Sardar remains tight-lipped. Eventually, Madhav pieces together that Mathur is behind the kidnapping and asks what he wants from him. The Sardar makes it clear that it's Ramgopal's will that they are after, and Madhav will be released only when he hands it over to them.
After some contemplation, Madhav decides to write a letter to his family demanding the will, with the Sardar dictating the letter's content. However, during this time, an eerie shriek can be heard coming from within the house, causing the kidnappers to become increasingly anxious. They make repeated attempts to locate the source of the noise, but their fear eventually overtakes them and they flee the scene. With his captors gone, Madhav seizes the opportunity to escape as well. But as he makes his way out, he encounters Tara, his childhood best friend, who happens to be in the same godown.
Madhav and Tara
Tara reveals that she became suspicious when she heard the noise and came to investigate. After some discussion, Madhav confides in Tara about everything that has happened. The two of them then decide to investigate the source of the unnerving shriek. After some searching, they discover a small door which leads to a staircase. They climb the stairs, eventually finding another door that they manage to open after a few failed attempts. Inside the room, they find a bed with a woman lying on it. The woman is none other than Matangini, who had disappeared three days earlier.
As the story progresses, a small flashback reveals how Madhav and Tara became best friends during their childhood. In the present, they are working together to unravel the mysteries that surround them, including the strange noise and the sudden reappearance of Matangini.
Some Women are the Equals of Some Men
Madhav and Tara successfully rescue Matangini from the godown room where she was kept trapped. After reviving her, Matangini shares her story with them. She explains how Suki's mother, who was working for Mathur, lured her into the dark chamber and trapped her there. Later, Mathur promised to starve Matangini into submission, but she refused to give in to his demands.
The next day, Madhav and Tara plan to secretly escort Matangini out of the godown under the cover of darkness with Karuna's assistance. Tara is now convinced of Mathur's sinister intentions. That evening, Karuna arrives and helps them take Matangini to Madhav's house, where she meets Hemangini. Matangini expresses her desire to return to her father's house.
On a stormy evening, Mathur meets with the Sardar, who warns him that Bhiku has been arrested and has confessed everything to the police. The Sardar also reveals his intention to escape that night and advises Mathur to stay safe. After returning to his room, Mathur plans to bribe the police to force Bhiku to retract his confession. He also starts contemplating on how to handle the newly appointed Irish Magistrate. However, Mathur is caught off guard when a law officer arrives to meet him and reveals that Bhiku's confession was heard by the Irish Magistrate and that they are preparing to arrest Mathur. Mathur is left stunned and uncertain about what to do next.
The Last Chapter in Life's Book - and in This
The following day, the Irish Magistrate arrives at Mathur's house accompanied by a group of policemen to personally arrest Mathur. After a thorough search, they eventually find Mathur hanging from the ceiling of a godown room.
As the story draws to a close, the subsequent events are revealed. The Sardar successfully escapes from Radhaganj, while Rajmohan is arrested and partially confesses to the police. Both Rajmohan and Bhiku are incarcerated. Matangini moves back in with her father, and nothing more is known about her except that she dies early. Tara, mourning for her husband's death, lives to an old age and is mourned by many when she passes away. The fate of others such as Madhav, Champak, and the rest of the characters remains obscure, with some presumed dead and some still alive.
The omniscient narrator then brings the story to a close and bids farewell to the reader.
Themes Explored in the Novel
The novel explores several themes, including:
- Gender Roles and expectations
- Love and relationships
- Rebellion and revolution
- Social Norms and Traditions
- Freedom and independence
Characters in Rajmohan's Wife
The main characters in the novel are:
- Matangini: The protagonist and Rajmohan's wife, who rebels against traditional gender roles and becomes involved in the Indian independence movement.
- Rajmohan: Matangini's husband, who represents the traditional values and social norms of the time.
- Bhavananda: The revolutionary whom Matangini falls in love with and becomes involved with in the fight for India's independence.
Analysis of the Novel
"Rajmohan's Wife" is a novel of great depth and complexity, delving into the intricate and multifaceted tensions and contradictions present in colonial India. The novel portrays the struggles of the protagonist, a strong-willed woman named Matangini, who defies the patriarchal norms and cultural expectations that restrict her freedom and autonomy.
Through Matangini's character, the novel critiques the oppressive societal norms of the time, particularly in relation to gender roles and expectations. Matangini is a symbol of hope for those seeking change, a voice of rebellion against the dominant patriarchal structure of society. She is portrayed as an independent and self-determined woman who is unwilling to compromise on her principles, even if it means challenging the existing power structures.
As a result, Matangini's character embodies the complexities of social change in colonial India. Her struggles reflect the wider social tensions that existed during the time, and her efforts to assert her independence and agency represent a larger struggle for freedom and equality.
The novel also explores the themes of identity, cultural hybridity, and the tensions between tradition and modernity. It depicts the challenges of negotiating one's cultural identity in the context of colonialism, and the difficulties that arise when one attempts to break away from the cultural norms and expectations of the time.
Overall, "Rajmohan's Wife" is a powerful and nuanced exploration of the complexities of colonial India. Through the character of Matangini, the novel offers a powerful critique of the oppressive social norms of the time and represents a symbol of hope for those seeking change and reform.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is the author of "Rajmohan's Wife"?
The author of the novel is Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.
What is the novel about?
The novel explores the themes of love, rebellion, and social norms in colonial India, following the story of Matangini, a strong-willed woman who defies traditional gender roles and becomes involved in the Indian independence movement.
What are the main themes explored in the novel?
The main themes explored in the novel are gender roles, love and relationships, rebellion and revolution, and social norms.
