AFVOA Newsletter 03 of 2020

Section 5 - Memoirs CV 2 No. 03 / 2020 Page 84 of 167 5 Woman Late Mrs Chitkala Govindaswamy Genre: Reflections “God created woman and boredom did indeed cease from that moment – but many other things ceased as well. Woman was God’s second mistake”. would like to say a few words about “woman”. These five lettered words which means the female of the species of Homo-sapiens can have myriads of meanings to various people. In general, a woman is considered as a mother, a daughter, a wife, a sister, an aunt, a niece and so on. I would like to confine my discussion of a woman as a beloved and a wife, the sentiments being expressed by none other than a woman. A man and woman are engaged in a conversation as to which is the better role of a woman. Man asks a harmless question “were your better as a beloved or are you much better as a wife. Aren’t you happier as a wife? After all you have some status, legal status. A beloved is only an inferior commodity to be toyed and flirted with; besides they have no moral sanctity and very little legal sanction. They grow like mushrooms and fade away. A wife is an entity to be reckoned with. A positively lovely institution, a graceful addition, a handsome asset, and divine gift”. The woman replies passionately “Yes, I am proud of being a wife in the same way as my husband is of being a husband. Wives are splendid and glorious in a hundred ways. They are golden. Their bodies are embellished and hidden with sublime ornaments. Wives are splendid slaves and glorious inanimate dolls meant only for the satisfaction of one-person self-styled as husband.” The man is taken aback by the sarcasm, exasperation and vehemence in the woman’s tone. He says “I am not interested in the general sad plight of the female who has been exploited since the beginning of time. I am only asking you about the beloved and the wife. A woman must certainly be having a better time as a wife after marriage than as a beloved before marriage The woman retorts “You are the same, simple harmless fellow you were a dozen years ago when we were classmates. You have never loved or understood that fairy of a creature known as a beloved”. The man is reminded of his unflattering and unambitious past when all his efforts to woo any girl only succeeded in frightening her away! I