A Question of Dowry

Siew Yue Killingley By : Kamarul Ariffin Bin Rahmat Khairul Adian Bin Ahmad Fikri

Born Kuala Lumpur, Malaya (now Malaysia), 17th December 1940. Married Dermot Killingley 1963 First visited Britain and the Republic of Ireland for six months in 1965; lived in Britain since 1968. Died Newcastle upon Tyne, 8th June, 2004.

About Siew Yue Killingley

Education: St Mary s School, Kuala Lumpur 19471957 Victoria Institution, Kuala Lumpur 1957-59. University of Malaya 1960-66. School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London 1968- 70.
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Teaching: 1961-7: Taught English language, literature, phonetics, and linguistics at various schools in Selangor, Malaysia and at the University of Malaya. 1970-2: Tutorial Assistant in Linguistics and Phonetics, School of English, University of Newcastle. 1972-80: Lecturer in English (Senior lecturer 1979), St. Marys College of Education, Newcastle.

Exposition: Everyone is very busy preparing Sivasothies engagement with Thirucelvham. y Rising Action: Mr. Ramachandran tells Mrs. Ramachandran that the engagement will be called off.
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Plot

Climax: Thiruchelvam comes to Sivasothies house and meets Mr. Ramachandran. y Falling Action : They are discussing about the dowry from Sivasothies family y Denoument : The engagement is called off
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The culture as a boundary for happy marriage. In India, the brides have to give a dowry to the groom. Mr. Ramachandran says that he cannot pay the dowry. However, due to the incapability of the bride s family to fulfill the dowry as promised, the wedding has to be called-off. Thiruchelvam, having less faith in Mrs Ramachandrans father, believed the news about the devalued landMr Ramachandran had to let his wife and daughter know about the changed situation.

Theme (s)

The patriarchal role in a family - The short story itself contains a lot of examples on mans power ruling over women. - Mrs Ramachandran has worked hard for the festive and preparation for the engagement. Mrs Ramachandran flew here and there, as fast as her 160 pounds would allow her, and helped with her commanding suggestions.

It is very important for the women to obey the men in Indian s tradition. Mrs Ramachandran has been mentioned to be a respectful and obedient wife. She went out dutifully, for she managed her husband well obeying him in the little things with such readiness that he thought himself as lord of everything as well.

Use of foreign language y Tamil words y Example : akka , kwali , tamby .

Language & Style

CHARACTERS

Outspoken - are you insulting my poor father? He give me a piece of sodden land? Impossible! Oh, if he were know what sort of a son-in-law he was getting, he would have made wiser decision. But I shall have a better son in law wholl nor depend on his wifes dowry. He is a doctor and he has his own income. (page 32)

MRS RAMACHANDRAN

Good mother. - Sivasothie, you are very lucky girl. Youll have a doctor for your husband_...... (page 33)

Considerate - Mr. Ramachandran looked worried, but resigned. He always found himself at loss for words when his wife most eloquent. y Responsible father - .we sold the other two for our third and fourth sons wedding.
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MR. RAMACHANDRAN

SIVASOTHIE

Obedient daughter - allow her mother to choose the man that is Thiruchelvam for her. However, at the end she felt sad and hurt because she need tp forget about the marriage. y Agree with arranged marriage. - she want agree with her parents choice and happy with man that her parents choose.
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THIRUCHELVAM

Rich - sivasothie, you are very lucky girl. Youll have a doctor for your husband_...... (page 33) y Rude - please dont bother. Im very busy, and I must see Uncle Ramachandran and go. Do call him out please. (page 34)
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SETTING

At the kitchen - don put too much coconut-milk in at once, Ayah! Its got.( page 31) y in the hall - good morning, auntie, said Thiruchevam..
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MRS. RAMACHANDRANS HOUSE

THE END..