Jane-Ghosh-4/24/11

I have been thinking a lot about the role of sexuality in the book and the corresponding themes of shame and curiosity that come with it. Interestingly, this does not only apply to the women, as is the case with a lot of what we've read so far, especially in Midnights Children. The scene wherein Deeti uncovers Kalua's naked body after being beaten by the landowners is a striking and visceral passage and Ghosh goes to great lengths to express Deeti's fear of Kalua finding a way of recalling that night when she had caressed his naked body out of curiosity. Much of the conflict for Deeti lies in the parallel situation she was placed in, or believes she was placed in, on her wedding night. Deeti's shame is multi-layered- Kalua is of a lower caste, if he were to remember he would be overwhelmed by the disgrace of having been witnessed being beaten, and she is embarrassed of her own sexual desires and perhaps wonders whether she is in fact as debased as her in laws who she believes took advantage of her, though in a far more severe manner.