In a Great Man's House by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
"In a Great Man's House" is a story by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala that explores the complexities of domestic life and personal sacrifice within the confines of a prominent household. Central to the narrative is Khan Sahib, a renowned musician whose authority in the household is unquestioned, and his wife, Hamida, who grapples with her loyalty to him and her longing for personal freedom. The story unfolds as Hamida receives an invitation to her niece's wedding, but Khan Sahib, prioritizing his own events, forbids her from attending, highlighting the imbalance of power in their relationship.
Throughout the narrative, Hamida navigates her responsibilities as a hostess while feeling the weight of her own unfulfilled desires and familial bonds. The arrival of her sister Roxana introduces additional tension, as Roxana's visit reveals her dependence on Hamida and her opportunistic nature. The contrasting dynamics between the two sisters further emphasize Hamida's internal struggles and frustrations.
The story culminates in Hamida's emotional turmoil as she experiences both the joy and sorrow inherent in her life, ultimately finding fleeting solace in the beauty of Khan Sahib's music. Jhabvala's work poignantly reflects themes of gender roles, familial obligations, and the pursuit of individual aspirations within a richly textured cultural backdrop.
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In a Great Man's House by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
First published: 1976
Type of plot: Domestic realism
Time of work: The 1970's
Locale: India
Principal Characters:
Khan Sahib , a renowned Indian classical singerHamida , his wifeRoxana , his sister-in-law, Hamida's sisterThe girl , his wife's niece, Roxana's daughterSajid , his son, who attends a boarding school
The Story
In the great man's house, the word of Khan Sahib is law. A renowned musician who attracts listeners, students, and researchers from far and wide, Khan Sahib is the undisputed lord of the house. His wife, Hamida, is torn between her pride in him and her bondage to him. The story opens as Hamida receives a letter from her brother, who resides in the town where she was raised, inviting her to attend his daughter's wedding. When Hamida tells Khan Sahib about this invitation, he rules that she cannot attend the wedding because it will take place at the same time as a music conference at which her services as a hostess are needed. Hamida is upset, both by Khan Sahib's high-handedness and by the thought of missing a joyous family gathering.
Later that morning Hamida's younger sister Roxana visits her to discuss travel plans. This visit further upsets Hamida's equilibrium. Although she wants to impress on her sister the importance of Khan Sahib's role at the music conference and the importance of her own role there (mainly to supervise the kitchen), she also envies Roxana's freedom to attend their niece's wedding—whose organization she herself would manage, were she to attend. Roxana sympathizes with her sister's disappointment, but it is clear that she has actually come to her wealthy sister looking for financial help. To help advance her cause, she has brought her daughter and son along.
Roxana wastes no time in throwing her children at Hamida and Khan Sahib. The latter, uncomfortable in family situations, immediately orders Hamida to take the young girl shopping to buy her fineries for the wedding. Hamida resents Roxana's greedy readiness to leave her daughter behind for the shopping expedition. After her sister leaves, Hamida again pleads with her husband to let her go to her niece's wedding. While reclining majestically on his bed, Khan Sahib dismisses her pleas and orders her to massage his legs. Hamida then collapses in tears and moans about her greatest sorrow—as she always does in such situations—the fact that her husband has sent her only son, Sajid, away to a boarding school in the hills. Tired of Hamida's tears, Khan Sahib wearily dismisses her.
In the other room, Hamida finds her niece waiting patiently for her. She tries to be kind to the girl, telling her stories about her cousin Sajid, who will be home for the holidays in two weeks, and she questions the girl about the food that she eats at home—suspicious that her sister's household does not feed the children properly. At this moment, a telegram from her brother arrives, asking her to come immediately as she is urgently needed for the wedding preparations. Khan Sahib remains unimpressed by this new call for Hamida's presence at the wedding. Although Hamida shrieks that she will go anyway, both she and her husband know that she will not go.
Hamida now amuses herself by feeding Roxana's daughter, whom she believes is too thin. She takes the girl to Khan Sahib and is touched by his gentleness with the girl. After she attends to his needs as he dresses for company and finishes preparing refreshments for his guests, she is exhausted. Her niece surprises her pleasantly by rubbing her forehead with cologne, dispelling her headache. In a rush of tenderness, Hamida dresses the girl in her own silks and jewels, and they enjoy each other's company until Roxana returns.
Roxana's undisguised glee at the turn of events spoils Hamida's good mood, and the girl is embarrassed by her mother's open display of greed. Hamida is further dismayed to hear that Roxana's entire family is preparing to leave for the wedding almost immediately. In a weak moment, she begs Roxana to leave her daughter behind to keep her company. Though excited at the thought of what gifts her daughter may get out of her aunt, Roxana cannot allow that, but she promises to bring her back immediately after the wedding. She insists that her daughter keep the clothes that Hamida has dressed her in, and Hamida, too weary to protest, agrees.
After her sister and niece depart, Hamida lies down and listens to the sounds coming from the room in which Khan Sahib is merrily entertaining his guests. Feeling abandoned and sorry for herself, she sheds a few tears as the soft strains of the romantic song that her husband is singing reach her. It is a song about a woman suffering from unrequited love. Hamida is once again struck with amazement at how movingly such a coarse man as Khan Sahib can express the depth of a woman's feelings. His beautiful voice fills her with complete joy, and she gives herself up ecstatically to the wonder of his music.