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A review by anisha_02
Fire on the Mountain by Anita Desai
5.0
A classic Indian Literature that displays the various aspects of human life and the ups and downs that one goes through daily to complete a cycle. The human capacity to conceal under shallow lies, the conceits one takes to hide the trauma buried deep and unseen, and the post-colonial dilemma one faces can be seen throughout the small piece. Themes of loneliness, unhealed suffocation, and year-long insults make the tale a relatable one.
Ila Das’s deprivation and grief contradict Nanda Kaul’s self-centered acts and passionless behavior yet the tragic events keep them glued together. Ila came like a gush of wind and brought up stories from the past that she clings to all the time, to feel better, to take shelter under it.
Patriarchy has a very significant role in forging women, the essence of patriarchy binds them and molds them accordingly. Nanda Kaul happened to be indifferent to her children and her family, the wound that she has carried throughout her married years has urged her to be alone, strong, cold, and somewhat mean. The abuse that Raka notices her mum go through makes her leave everything behind and start things in a wide light where there will be no dependence, no turmoil, only solitude and exploring, and isolation. And Ila Das, that poor little human being, still holds her lost family name high on her head and despite her serious needs, she can’t communicate her intentions, the aches of desperation and loneliness.
Patriarchy and family trauma somehow binds all three women in a tight knot and places them in the exact line, without them, ever understanding.
A fascinating portrayal of three different women in various phases of life, someone fabricating lies to herself and to the world to keep her peace, someone attempting to burn all the vanities, lies, and deceits in order to cleanse nature, and someone, too scared and too pure, gets victimized and destroyed by the ideas of post-colonial patriarchal standards.
Ila Das’s deprivation and grief contradict Nanda Kaul’s self-centered acts and passionless behavior yet the tragic events keep them glued together. Ila came like a gush of wind and brought up stories from the past that she clings to all the time, to feel better, to take shelter under it.
Patriarchy has a very significant role in forging women, the essence of patriarchy binds them and molds them accordingly. Nanda Kaul happened to be indifferent to her children and her family, the wound that she has carried throughout her married years has urged her to be alone, strong, cold, and somewhat mean. The abuse that Raka notices her mum go through makes her leave everything behind and start things in a wide light where there will be no dependence, no turmoil, only solitude and exploring, and isolation. And Ila Das, that poor little human being, still holds her lost family name high on her head and despite her serious needs, she can’t communicate her intentions, the aches of desperation and loneliness.
Patriarchy and family trauma somehow binds all three women in a tight knot and places them in the exact line, without them, ever understanding.
A fascinating portrayal of three different women in various phases of life, someone fabricating lies to herself and to the world to keep her peace, someone attempting to burn all the vanities, lies, and deceits in order to cleanse nature, and someone, too scared and too pure, gets victimized and destroyed by the ideas of post-colonial patriarchal standards.