the lost jewels.docx

Briefly outlining the story, explain the role of irony in the story "The Lost Jewels." With irony as the contrast between what is stated and what is meant (verbal irony), or between what is expected and what actually happens (situational irony), there are both instances of irony in "The Lost Jewels." A story told in the Benghali tradition of philosophy with a certain mysticism and hidden foreshadowing, the unknown narrator, a merchant, relates his encounter with a schoolmaster who moors his boat (ironically, as it turns out) beside "an old bathing ghat of the river... in ruins." 

Pointing to a ramshackle house, the schoolmaster begins his tale of the misfortune attached to it. He describes the merchant Bhusan who married a beautiful, but selfish woman named Mani. In his weakness, Bhusan spoils her: She used to get her caresses without asking, her Dacca muslin saris without tears, and her bangles without being able to pride herself on a victory. In this way her woman's nature became atrophied, and with it her love for her husband. She simply accepted things without giving anything in return.

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Throughout the story, the schoolmaster alludes to the weakness of the merchant who is foolish in his thinking that "to give is the way to get" because man must retain some of his barbarism in order to keep his wife eager for his love.

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Without warning Bhusan's business reaches a point where he cannot get credit. Since allowing his creditors to know that he must borrow will bring ruin, he asks his wife if he can use some of her jewels as collateral for a loan,but he cannot say, "Look here, I am in need of money; bring out your jewels";instead he broaches the subject delicately, and Mani looks cruelly at him, saying nothing.

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Too "proud" to touch his wife's jewels, Bhusan goes to Calcutta in an attempt to find some money.

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While he is gone, Mani calls a cousin of hers, who advises her that her husband will not procure the money and will be forced to take her jewels. So, Mani decides to leave, wearing all her precious jewelry as she does not trust this cousin, Modhu.

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An old steward writes to Bhusan, informing him of what has happened. Still, he does not become angry; he is only "distressed." When he returns home, hoping that once Mani has hidden her jewels she will also return. The steward tells him he should learn where his mistress is, so inquiries are made, but Mani and Modhu are nowhere to be found.

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With all hope exhausted, Bhusan enters his deserted bedroom, taking no notice of the damp wind and pouring rain. He looks at all Mani's things, hoping that she will return for them, at least. For hours, he remains in the room.

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His stupor shaken, he hears jingling that seems to come from the steps of the ghat. He runs to the door, but it has been bolted from the outside by the porter. Bhusan shakes the door so hard, that he is awakened from this dream and realizes "This world is vain." Yet on another night, this dream is repeated, and Bhusan "struck his forehead in despair."

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Because he cannot stand the separation from Mani, Bhusan wants to die. Again he dreams, but this time there is a skeleton that beckons him and leads him to the ghat. As they descend into the water, Bhusan awakens, but he is unable to save himself from drowning.

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The narrator asks if his listener believes the tale. "No," the man replies,"...my name happens to be Bhusan Saha." Then, the schoolmaster asks what his wife's name was. "Nitya Kali" the man answers. This surprise ending is an example of irony of situation. Bhusan's reply to "What was your wife's name?" is verbal irony