Brick Lane by Monica Ali

In what ways were the women in the novel oppressed? How did they demonstrate their resistance to the oppression (what kinds of actions did they take)? How does this novel compare with other stories people have read about Indian/Pakistani immigrants (such as Interpreter of Maladies or The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri).

Below are some quotes that floated to the top in our discussions of Brick Lane.

“If India is better, then go back. If America is better, then stop complaining.”
“Too soon ripe is too soon rotten”
“(You’re so lucky) I’m an educated man”

We had the thought that this book sounds very dramatic - having drugs, loan sharks, affairs, rape, and political protests. It was reminiscent of the author’s style in writing the book, “life just happened,” there was no dramatic build up, but the book contained drama nonetheless.

Women’s resistance was apparent in multiple ways: rolling up dirty socks, getting jobs, having affairs, doing personal hygiene even when it disgusted them, etc. We thought this might be related to how women honor themselves, especially in arranged marriages.

We also talked about the many different ways “religion” was enacted: spiritual, political, devout ritual, only in times of need.

We speculated answers about questions (which we really couldn’t answer). For example, a girl becomes a woman when her job changes, a man should get a promotion when he becomes a father. Is this something cultural? Does work bring honor, does family? – is the status of family as a result of arranged marriages? Do women wait for “release” from marriages? Why is it in these arranged marriages that women were so oppressed, when that did not need to happen?

TWO THEMES that emerged were:

Inside vs. Outside -
The house, the self-perception of adultery, working inside on sewing, all brought “protection.” The outside had the street, others not knowing what is going on inside, the sister working outside the home and having so much trouble – the outside seemed to represent danger.

Self-Deception -
Lies people allowed to exist in order to cope with reality
Idea that she will join husband in Bangladesh
Don’t talk about her father’s affairs
Dr. Azod and Chanu lie to each other
She is having an affair
Mrs. Islam is always “sick”
Son’s death as an infant in hospital

It was fascinating to consider other books we’ve read in comparison, and to note the similarities and differences cross-culturally (ethnic and religious). For example, it is interesting in this book that religion (Islam) took a back seat to Bangladesh culture – wearing or not wearing a burka wasn’t the main topic of conversation for people who had a sari.