The Hour Before Dawn‘She had given her husband four children, had bared her body and soul to him... why did he want to remarry? Today, what made him dress in a new silk kurta, become a bridegroom once again, and leave on elephant-back to take another woman as his wife?’ When Menoka’s dissolute husband Mohikanto takes a second wife she is devastated by the heedless manner in which he squanders her unquestioning loyalty. But after the initial anguish she finds new strength – in her womanhood when she embraces a tender but illicit relationship with a village outcast; in her role as a fiercely protective mother, and, eventually, in a compassionate humanity towards her frail and battered co-wife and needy stepchildren. The story also poignantly explores Menoka’s troubled but ultimately redemptive relationship with Indro, her firstborn son, who is unwittingly exposed to a bewildering world of adult complexities and feels compelled to leave the village. |
Common terms and phrases
Aijoni arrived asked Indro asked Menoka asked Mohikanto Assam baby bamboo betel Bhajohari Bhodrokanto Brajo brother buggy called Chamaru Chitra clothes cooked couldn’t courtyard Deukilal Deuta dhoti Dhrubo didn’t Dino door Dr Banerjee eyes face father gamosa girl hair hand happened head heard hostel household I’ve Indro looked Irene Baideu jackfruit Jogeshwari Kiron Kiron’s room kitchen Kokaiti Kolkata kurta lamp later leave Madhabi Mahi Menoka asked Menoka felt mill mind Modon Moni morning mother moved never night Nitai Nobou Old Ghonokanto once Paritosh paused Poornima Priyatosh Babu Radha remained replied Roma Rotnokanto’s rushed sador seemed Shankar silence sitting sleep slowly smile soon sound speak spoke stared stay stepped stood suddenly talk tell There’s things thought told took tried turned veranda voice waiting walked wanted What’s the matter window wiped woman won’t words worry