The Man with the Dog by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
"The Man with the Dog" by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala is a poignant narrative that explores the complexities of love, aging, and cultural identity through the experiences of a widowed Indian woman. The story reflects on her life as a devoted wife and mother, transitioning into a new chapter characterized by her relationship with Boekelman, a European man. Their initial encounter is marked by an accident, setting the stage for a relationship that intertwines admiration and frustration.
As the narrator adjusts to life in the city, she grapples with the societal expectations of her role as a woman, particularly in her interactions with Boekelman, who represents a foreignness that intrigues her. The dynamics of their relationship reveal underlying tensions, especially during visits from her son, Shammi, which highlight cultural clashes and familial disapproval. Despite these challenges, the narrator ultimately recognizes her own happiness in this unconventional partnership, even as she navigates the presence of Boekelman’s dog, a symbol of both companionship and rivalry.
Jhabvala's work delves into the intricacies of personal desires versus societal norms, inviting readers to reflect on the nature of love and the pursuit of happiness in the face of cultural constraints.
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The Man with the Dog by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala
First published: 1966
Type of plot: Sketch
Time of work: The mid-twentieth century
Locale: New Delhi, India
Principal Characters:
The narrator , a wealthy Indian widowShammi , her oldest son, a military officerBoekelman , an aging Dutch expatriateSusi , his little dog and constant companion
The Story
The narrator imagines herself as she was in earlier days: a beloved and respected Indian wife and mother, faithfully fulfilling her household duties. Now, however, her visits with her children and grandchildren degenerate into bitterness because references to her current relations with a European man named Boekelman are unavoidable. She alternately laughs and cries when she considers, at her age, that she has such passion for a man who is as advanced in years as herself. She reminisces about their first meeting. It happened, significantly enough, as the result of an accident, when her chauffeur drove into the rear bumper of Boekelman's car. Flushing angrily, Boekelman emerged from his car, with a little, barking dog in his arms. Once he caught sight of the narrator, gorgeously arrayed in the back of her Packard, he stopped shouting and cast her an admiring glance.
The narrator reflects on how her married life was spent quietly in the countryside with a much older husband and young children. Once she was widowed and her children were grown, she moved to the city, reveling in shopping and being invited to parties and teas. At one such function, she again met Boekelman. His foreignness is what most interested her. Unlike Indian men, he talked freely and familiarly with women and showed them little courtesies, such as opening doors for them.
Boekelman now no longer opens doors for the narrator, which she considers proper now that they live in the same house. Boekelman insists on paying rent for his suite of rooms, but by calculating the amount in his favor, he pays little. He originally came to India for the ivory trade but failed to acquire a big fortune, and his former wife returned to Holland. Although India is home to him, his friends are all Europeans. Sometimes Boekelman gives parties for them in his rooms, to which the narrator comments she may or may not be invited.
The narrator describes their daily routine: Boekelman appears at noon, shaved and dressed, his umbrella in one hand, his dog's lead in the other. Annoyed to find the narrator indolent on the verandah, still in her nightclothes, he complains about some minor irritation and grows incensed at her indifference. For emphasis, he pokes holes in the ground with the tip of his umbrella. After she accuses him of ruining her garden, he retreats out the gate, with her, agitated, in pursuit. By the time he returns in the evening, all is forgiven. Occasionally he allows her to stay in his rooms overnight. On these occasions, the narrator is rapturous as Boekelman sleeps next to her, toothless and snoring; she is convinced that no one else knows him so completely. All that prevents her perfect happiness is the constant presence of his dog, Susi, which watches her with old running eyes. The narrator senses a mutual resentment.
The narrator's relationship with Boekelman nearly ends during a visit from the narrator's oldest son, Shammi, when Boekelman's railing over some failing by a servant escalates to a general tirade against India. Shammi, a lieutenant-colonel in the Indian army, indignantly leaves the room. The narrator begs his forgiveness and promises to send Boekelman away. She maintains her resolve until she learns that Boekelman—who is unable to find as financially accommodating a landlord as she—is moving in with a shameless European flirt. She breaks down and pleads with him to stay.
As the story closes, the narrator muses that, despite going against society's rules and her children's wishes, she is fortunate in her happiness with Boekelman.