The relationship between Bim and Raja

Romancia Moore
Literature: Clear Light of Day

                  Bim is the typical Indian woman. At the beginning of the story, Bim has worn down with age and seems very contempt with her caretaking life.  Due to Bim's satisfaction with her own life, she questions those around her who seem to betaken with being ambitious and adventurous like with Tara and young Raja, for example pg. 2 " Bim watched her sister in surprise and amusement "and pg. 51 " It was a phrase Raja liked to use. He had picked it up from Hyder Ali. It had impressed his sisters and aunt". Furthermore, at the beginning of the second chapter, Raja is shown as an ill boy but also has a great desire to be educated. He feels that his connection to his model Hyder Ali and knowledge of the Urdu language makes him more mature and superior than his family members. This is shown in pg. 49 "It was an almost shocking contrast to the shabbiness of their own house, its peculiarities that hurt Raja by embarrassing him as he grew up...".
           Moreover, Raja and Bim's relationship evolved over the years. At a young age Bim took care of Raja through out the year when he was sick. The illness made Raja temperamental, pouting and complacent but throughout the illness Bim literally sat by his bedside and read to him until he fall asleep; Bim and Raja also seemed very close to each other than with any other family member. This can be seen in pg. 49 where Raja laid in the garden and talked privately to Bim about this wonderful night at Hyder Ali's. Raja confided in Bim and they had a very trusting relationship. During a flashback in the first chapter of the book, Bim and Raja mischievously planned to disrupt their parents played bridge.
          However, Bim at the first chapter showed distaste for memories involving Raja. Bim referred to Raja's poetic verses as '' Terrible" and "nauseating" (pg. 25). The simple mention of Raja seemed to bring anger and frustration to Bim. This revelation comes to a great surprise to Tara, especially since Bim was always Raja's favorite sisters. The anger and resentment comes to light when the letter written by Bim is revealed to Tara. Bim finds the letter to be extremely disrespectful and treated the letter as the last straw for Raja looking down on her and Tara as inferior. Bim's refusal to believe that Raja was not insulting her made it impossible for any reconciliation.

Hurt is the theme in Clear Light of Day. Discuss all issues of hurt with th e characters in the story.

Father- It is the pride of every father for his sons to follow in his footsteps. Baba, though he was a beautiful baby, never had the mental capacity to be like his father or like anyone for that matter. Raja was taken with the idea of being like his neighbor and mentor Hyder Ali. He studied the Urdu language and not the Hindu language and he wanted to apply for the Jamia Millia college even in the dangerous political times of the day. Raja spent most of his time with Hyder Ali and dreamed of being a poet instead of taking after his father's real estate business. "'Specialize in Islamic studies? What are you talking about, you dunce?'"(pg.51)

             Bim- Bim is a complex figure in the poem. When Tara got married away to Bakul and Raja went off to be with Hyder Ali and marry Benazir, Bim was left alone to take care of Baba and Mira-masi. Bim always had dreams of going to college and having a college degree in history but all of her dreams were pushed aside since she was left to take care of the household. Bim felt betrayed since her siblings left her behind with so much responsibility when it was Bim who took care of Raja when he had tuberculosis. Bim also had feelings of rejection when she attended the lunch with Dr. Biswas and his mother. His mother expecting someone better mannered, sociable and attractive made little effort to get to know Bim. Moreover, the real hurt came from the letter that was written by Raja to Bim. He notified Bim that Raja is now her landlord and wrote that he would not charge more for the rent. Bim perceived that letter as Raja being arrogant. From the letter, Bim developed great bitterness and anger towards Raja. Bim felt that Raja was showing off all his money and was acting superior to her. Additionally, Bim felt she had lost the brother she was so close to as a child, she felt that Tara now filled the void with Raja that she once filled.   

           Raja- Raja was a confident and driven man and there were very little things that bothered him. Although, there were times when Raja was vulnerable and naive. For example, when aunt Mira warned him about going over by Hyder Ali. Raja felt like if Mira- masi was implying that he wasn't good enough to be affiliated with Hyder Ali. “When she did not, he went off with a disgusted look."(pg.49) Another hurtful event in Raja's life was the years when Bim refused to talk to her. She wasn't apart of his marriage of the raising his children.

            Tara- Growing up, Bim and Raja were very close. This left Tara to grow up really guarded and scared. Tara felt rejected by her siblings especially when they talked about being heroism. Tara felt inferior to Raja whenever he spoke of poetry and his studies. Tara also felt less than Bim who was a over achiever in school and her teachers were also stating how Tara may be more like Baba and not like Bim. There was also the incident with Bim cutting off most of Tara's hair when Tara said she wanted curly hair. Bim say how vulnerable Tara was being and acted on the opportunity. Additionally, when Tara ran for help and left Bim to be stung by swarming bees. Bim understood but when they returned home, Raja didn't waste any time condemning Tara for not staying back and helping. Also, before Tara was married she spent a lot of time with the Misras sisters. Tara sneaked into their garden when they were taking a family picture. Tara was wearing saggy and old clothes and the Misras girls were fitted in silk. According to the tone and diction of the story, it implied that the Misras girls were very meclisious in their behavior.  

          Baba- Baba always seemed to be in his own little world. Behind his pleasant face, Baba seemed to be very at peace with himself. However there was one climatic moment where Baba’s was shaken. In Bim’s rage about Raja’s letter, Bim went into Baba’s room and threatened to send him to Raja home and sell the family’s share of the firm to Sharma. Bim had not intended to let her frustration on Baba and consequently, Baba’s expression spoke volumes. ‘, but he seemed to draw back from her , as far as he could, and his mouth was drawn awry as if he had been slapped, hard.’ However, later that afternoon Bim apologetically brought Baba tea and was pleasantly surprised that from the moment Baba saw her, he smiled as if the incident never happened.

          Aunt Mira- Aunt Mira was married at a very young age. And even then was she introduced to hurt and pain. She lost her husband after only one week of marriage. According to Hindu tradition, aunt Mira was blamed for the sudden death of her husband, she wore white and was emotional disgraced. Aunt Mira worked for her in laws as a maid and later on as the children’s care taker. Tragically, aunt Mira could never have children of her own to her. Because of hard times in mira-masi’s life, it led to the painful death caused by grief and alcohol.  

The significance of Baba

          Baba was the last child for the family. He was the only boy and later on in the story, it was clear that the family had intentions of him taking up after his father and working at the office. Baba's birth even brought up jealousy issues for Tara, who was up until then as the baby of the family. However, handsome and well behaved Baba was, he caused great discomfort and inconvience for his mother. The mother was obsessed with playing bridge and was chronically sick with diabetes. Never wanting to have any children of her own, Bab was a great burden to his mother. It is important to note that Baba was mentally ill and nver spoke a word in his life. Due to Baba's ailment, it forced the introduction of Mira-masi.
         Additionally, Baba was like a dark cloud hovering over the family. Baba's non verbal (shaking his head and lowering his face) communications with Bim and the family whenever there was a need to go to meetings at the office placed a great burden on Bim. She was often embarrassed by Baba's physical circumstances. Also, Baba's obsession with his gramophone was a nuisance and embarassment for the family. Blaring music form Baba's room acted as background music for the sometimes  chaotic events of the family. Bab's gramophone also served as a reminder of how litttle Bim and Mira-masi could really do for him since the gramophone was the only thing that calmed him after one of his episodes.
        Moreover, Bbab's illness caused Bim great misery. Being the older sister and the only sibling to remain at home, Bim was for ced to take care of Baba. Though Bim never admitted her misery, it was apparent that Baba was a element that held Bim back from all her 'heroism'. Baba wa also a soruce of embarrassment for Tara during her high school years. Tara remembered some of the teachers making remarks about how is mentally ill and maybe that was why Tara seemed so unsuccessful in school.
       Baba's Pleasant face and demeanor made it clear that he was quite happy in his own little world inside his room with his records. But outside of his world and carefreeness, Baba's presence seemed to make everyone resentful and guilty, especially Bim. However, Baba indirectly taught his family patience and how to love dispite the unaffectionate reply.