Whispers Of The Ganges

Chapter 3

ASHA

I reprimanded myself, yet the image of the man still lingered in the back of my mind. I dared not look at him once again, but I could feel his presence, and noticed that he was sitting in.

The room was beginning to fill in with students, their chatter and the rustling of papers creating a familiar atmosphere.

I tried to clear my head, and get ready for the lesson, yet his eyes had impressed themselves in my mind. There was something otherworldly, quite unsettling in the encounter, and I felt it in my guts that we weren't meeting each other for the last time.

However, I forced myself to focus, by closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. The world outside these walls was vast and complicated, full of expectations I was not ready to fulfill. But here, within these confines, I still had control—over my thoughts, my ambitions, my future.

I would not let a single glance disrupt that.

With renewed determination, I opened my eyes and bent over my notes, letting the rhythm of the lecture pull me back into the present. But deep down, I knew that something had shifted. A small, almost imperceptible change, but a change nonetheless.

And in the back of my mind, those piercing eyes lingered, a silent question that I wasn’t yet ready to answer.

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Dr. Banerjee paced slowly in front of the class, his hands clasped behind his back as he spoke, his deep voice filling the room.

"Today, we will explore a comparative analysis of two iconic female figures in literature: Sita from the Ramayana and Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre. Though separated by time, geography, and culture, these two characters share certain qualities that are worth examining in the context of their respective societies."

He paused, allowing the students to absorb his words before continuing. "Sita, as we all know, is revered for her unwavering loyalty, her purity, and her devotion to her husband, Rama. She is the epitome of dharma, the ideal woman who sacrifices her own desires and endures great suffering to uphold her duty."

I leaned forward slightly, my interest piqued. Dr. Banerjee's lectures often challenged me to see familiar stories in new ways, and I was eager to hear his perspective on this comparison.

"And yet," Dr. Banerjee continued, "Sita's story is also one of profound tragedy. Despite her virtue, she is subjected to harsh trials, not once but twice—first by her abduction by Ravana, and later by Rama's doubt, which leads to her banishment. Sita's life is governed by the expectations and judgments of the men around her, even as she remains true to herself."

He stopped pacing and turned to face the class, his gaze sweeping across the students. "Now, consider Jane Eyre. Unlike Sita, Jane is not born into a role of ideal womanhood. She is an orphan, a governess, and yet, she too is defined by her resilience and moral integrity. Jane challenges the social norms of her time—not by rebelling outright, but by insisting on her right to respect and love on her own terms."

Dr. Banerjee's voice grew softer, more contemplative. "Jane, like Sita, faces trials. She endures hardship, poverty, and emotional turmoil. But where Sita's fate is largely dictated by others, Jane asserts her agency. She refuses to compromise her values, even when tempted by passion or pressured by society. In this way, Jane represents a shift—a movement towards the idea that a woman's worth is not solely tied to her role as a wife or a daughter, but to her ability to navigate the world with her own sense of self."

He paused again, his eyes settling on me for a moment before continuing. "Both Sita and Jane embody virtues that are deeply respected in their respective cultures. Yet, their stories offer us a lens through which we can examine the evolving role of women in society. Sita's story, while tragic, remains bound to the expectations of her era. Jane's, however, hints at the possibilities of a new kind of womanhood—one that seeks to balance duty with self-respect and personal fulfillment."