Approach of the Study Method of the Study

adulthood when she was still single, married first marriage, widowed, remarried second marriage and separated divorced.

1. Single

Gauri was born in 1948. She was a girl from North Calcutta, Cornwallis Street, whose parents were dead and who lived with her only brother Manash. Gauri and Manash were sent away by their families to their grandparents when they were still kids. She felt detached for her parents because she did not have any memory to be in a family. She felt estranged from most of her family. She told the story about her estrangement to her own family to Udayan. There had always been the option to return to her parents’ village. But though she visited, taking train to see them for holidays, rural life held no appeal for her. She didn’t think she resented her parents for not raising her. It was the way of many large families, and considering the circumstances, it was not so strange. Really, she appreciated them for letting her go her own way Lahiri, 2013: 57. Udayan reacted to her story by saying that it was a gift for her, her autonomy. Gauri’s brother, Manash, was two years older than her. Manash had befriended Udayan at Calcutta University, where they were both graduate students in the Physics Department Lahiri, 2013: 51-56. Udayan met Gauri when he was doing a degree in Philosophy at Presidency. She learnt western philosophy but she loved her country so much and wants to teach philosophy at a college or a school Lahiri, 2013: 54. Udayan was fascinated by Gauri’s personality and her interest. Gauri was born into middle class society. She loved books, contemplating and Philosophy. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI Gauri read a lot of books, especially Philosophy books. She had a pride for being an independent woman. She saw that the unremarkable journey of her life thus far was fascinating to him: her birth in the countryside, her willingness to live apart from her parents, her estrangement from most of her family, her independence in this regard Lahiri, 2013: 57. Udayan described Gauri in a letter to Subhash; she prefers books to jewels and saris Lahiri, 2013: 46. She read because she said that reading helps her to concentrate Lahiri, 2013: 54. Gauri was educated and literate. Lahiri described her as a girl who read and studied philosophy from lots of books like books from Descartes, Marx, Rousseau, Greene and Plato Lahiri, 2013: 55-58. Her interest in books and philosophy linked to her ability to contemplate and understand things Lahiri, 2013: 55. This shows that Gauri has individual interest in Philosophy and have idea to master it. Gauri also was a girl who likes to think and contemplate her life, as she said to Udayan; she observed the world, she told him, all of life, from this balcony Lahiri, 2013: 53. She felt that the balcony on her grandparents’ house had always been her place to contemplate, Udayan emphasized it by saying; so this is your Bodhi tree, where you achieve enlightment Lahiri, 2013; 54. Gauri was a girl who likes to think deeply; she had not been able to define herself, wishing she could alter herself Lahiri, 2013: 59. Her complicated way of thinking is one of the qualities in the next subchapter that will lead her into the act of rebellion and redefining herself as a woman and a mother. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI Besides her interests in books and contemplating, Gauri also had a great interest in philosophy. She said that it was the mind, not the senses, that were able to perceive Lahiri, 2013: 55. She also said that philosophy helped her to understand things Lahiri, 2013: 55. Later, she tried to pursue a higher education and filed herself with a lot of questions and observations.

2. Married first marriage with Udayan Mitra

Gauri had a strong view on marriage. She did not like the idea of arranged marriage. Gauri said that she did not want to get married “I’m not getting married” Lahiri, 2013: 57. In the chapter 2, Serena Nanda, stated that in India, almost all marriages are arranged. Even among the educated middle classes in modern, urban India, marriage is as much a concern of the families as it is of the individuals Nanda, 2012: 1. Gauri had a rough relationship with the Mitras, especially her mother in Law Bijoli Mitra Mrs. Mitra. Gauri was not accustomed to the institution called “family”, so she struggled to have a good relationship with the Mitras. She had no memory of spending any moment with them, even in a house is such an isolated place Lahiri, 2013: 60. Gauri was an unwanted daughter in law. Udayan married a woman of his choice, not by his parent’s or his mother’s decision. As I stated in my review of related theories, women within patriarchies who accept contextually relevant patriarchal norms of female behavior – sexual behavior, dress, appearance, marital status, motherhood – are rewarded as long as they conform to these norms. Gauri cannot conform those norms and cannot adjust to the Mitras, then her mother in PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI