theyoungcouple

This is a love story with a twist. The story is about love, marraige and mainly family. In the story an English woman named Cathy marries an Indian man called Naraian, and travels back to India with him hoping to make a difference in the country. However when they get there Naraian resumes his old friendships and begins to neglect Cathy. Naraian's family also start intefering in their lives because they presumably 'want the best'. Cathy, however finds their love suffocating and wants Naraian to herself, but the in-laws are very persistent. Later Cathy falls pregnant and her mother-in-law wants the couple to move in with her. Naraian eventually admits defeat, joins his uncle's firm and agrees to move in with his parents. Cathy feels betrayed but gives in after Naraian turns on his charm.
 * __Summary__**

The story is set in India, mainly in Cathy and Naraian's rented flat, which the in-laws paid 'a year's advance rent' for. The flat has a lovely view 'they could see neighbouring houses on one side and on the other an eighteenth-century mausoleum. At the beginning Cathy and Naraian spend most of their time in the flat 'walking round the hot rooms stark naked together'. After a while Cathy begins feeling claustrophobic in the flat. Cathy's mood determines the setting.
 * __Setting__**

The in-laws' house is very spacious and filled with rich and heavy furniture. It's very negatively described as Cathy doesn't like visiting the house and finds the furniture too rich.

Cathy is a very headstrong and confident young woman. She's completely in love with Naraian but begins to feel neglected and a rival for his attention when his family and friends come on to the scene. At the end of the story she's a defeated woman.
 * __Characters__**

Naraian comes acroos as very charming and sweet in the beginning. He becomes neglegent of Cathy when he resumes old friendship, however when Cathy falls pregnant he becomes more supportive. Naraian feels torn between Cathy and his family but eventually gives in to his family's persistence.

The mother-in-law is a meglomaniac (control freak) and doesn't seem too supportive of Naraian and Cathy's marraige as she doesn't respect their privacy of independance. She's very persistent and traditional and gets her way at the end.

-Adapting to new surroundings -Clashing of cultures (modernity vs traditional) -Matriarchal Society (the women seem to be in control throughout most of the story. The mother-in-law always gets her way and Naraian can't stop Cathy from going out even though he tries). -Spoilt fairy tale (reality takes control) -Love and relationships
 * __Themes__**

Line 9: 'They had a glorious view from their flat...a decadent eighteenth-century mausoleum, very large, very ornate, with a vast dome which looked especially magnificent against the sunset.' Strong description of how beautiful the view was from the couples' flat.
 * __Important Quotations__**

Line 230: 'Our girls don't go in to these bazaars alone. It is not proper for us.' This is an insight in to the traditional Indian culture which Cathy had to try and adapt in to.

Line 344: 'Her cup of happiness was full; she kept repeating to herself.' This shows how much in love she was with Naraian.

Line 207: 'She pretended to merge with the crowds of modestly veiled women.' This shows how aware Cathy was of being an outsider and how determined she was not to let her distinctive appearance hold her back.

Line 385: 'Such a fine salary too, is a great chance for him.' This tells us how the family disrespected Cathy's and Naraian's decisions to find an ethically rewarding job, the family were more concerned about his salary.

Line 488: 'Naraian pulled a contemptuous face which made it clear what sort of importance he attached to the view.' This shows how Naraian's character changes from being sweet and charming to being ignorant and disrespecting Cathy's feelings.

Line 496: 'What does it matter where we are as long as we are together.' Naraian uses the love Cathy feels for him to manipulate her in to coming round to his way of thinking.

Click below for activities to improve your knowledge of thus story:

Exercises on "The Young Couple"