ASIAN 206

Modern Literature of South Asia

Study Guide for The Crooked Line, pg. 77-236 (The Second Phase and part of Third Phase)

The Second Phase: High school to university; boys; Noori’s wedding (pg. 78-183)

• Shaman’s introduction to boys via Bilquis, relationship with Rashid, pg. 77-93:
• boys as koriyale (black and white snakes) (78)
• Shaman feels “impulse” to stroke Bilquis’ neck (83)
• pardah restrictions in games with Rashid (84-7)

• Naseema & Cuckoo arrive at the school, leading to Shaman’s “rebellion,” pg. 93-101:
• “…once again, Shaman was overcome by an indescribable feeling of loneliness, and so intense was this feeling that finally she rebelled.” (97)

• First Ajju incident, pg. 101-108; followed by Abbas episode, pg. 109-115

• Shaman moves to mission college, befriends Alma, relationship with Rai sahib, pg. 116-144:
• Shaman’s feelings for Rai sahib (131-2); followed by Shaman’s reaction to Rai sahib’s death: wants to descend into the earth, shame, no tears linked to Unna (141-3)

• Ajju (aka Ejaz) returns to be rejected by Shaman, pg. 144-156

• Political discussions, increased freedom at university, Shaman’s relationship with Iftikhar, pg. 156-178
• Iftikhar declares, “Only the person who follows the rules of nature has the right to be a human being.” (176)

• Noori’s wedding, Shaman reflects on pardah, pg. 179-183

The Third Phase: University; Shaman’s job as headmistress; politics; Hindustan’s impending independence to…?

• A “new” Shaman emerges, the members of the progressive party, Alma pregnant, pg. 184-197

• Shaman becomes headmistress, Iftikhar returns, the school inspection, pg. 197-224

• Shaman visits Department of Education, meets Alma’s son, pg. 225-236