IN THE MOUNTAINS

IN THE MOUNTAINSSynopsisRuth PrawerJhabvalas In the Mountains deals with Pritam, a woman in her thirties who has chosen to isolate herself in the mountains. Pritam is different and wishes to stay different. She does not try hard to please her mother, even if it is for a little while. Her mother looks upon her with despair. However, she stays with Pritam even though Pritam tells her that she will not be comfortable.Pritams neighbour is Dr. Sahib who does not exactly look presentable but often spends time with Pritam. Pritams mother finds it hard to like him and totally disapproves of him, especially when she knows that they spent the winter together. Pritams mother tells her that her cousin, Sarla and her husband are also coming. This news to seems to unsettle Pritam who then says that anyone can come and stay. That night she is unable to sleep and visits her neighbour, Dr. Sahib who talks to her about the previous lives of people.The family arrives at Pritams house and Pritam is happy that they enjoyed her food. Her mother is annoyed that Pritam pays attention to Bobby,the cousins husband. She also asks why Pritam did not invite Dr. Sahib. This leads to an angry scene between the mother and daughter. She escapes from her mother to go to her favourite haunt. Bobby joins her there and they talk about their past. They had had common interests and companionable days. Bobby feels that there is no other person he can talk to like Pritam. Her relatives then leave for Simla. Pritam calls Dr. Sahib over for dinner.

PLOTPritam is still in her thirties and lives by herself on a mountainside in India. Her mother visits her and is saddened to find that she has stopped caring about her appearance. The next day ,the rest of her family would be stopping for a visit before continuing their annual trip to Simla. Pritams mother disapproves of her daughters way of life, yet she wants to stay with her daughter when the other members go on to SilamDoctor Sahib, Pritams neighbour, drops in. Pritamss mother does not approve of him; he is small and looks shabby. His own family has given him money just to keep him away from themDuring the night, Pritam goes to talk to the doctor and ends up talking the whole night. When her family arrives the next day, her mother scolds her harshly for not inviting the doctor to the party, causing Pritam to run out of the house. When Bobby, her cousins husband, comes out, Pritam calls him. They used to have serious talks together. They talk about the past.When they return to the party, the others are glad to see Pritam. Pritams mother still insists on staying with Pritam. Pritam explains to her that she would have none of the comforts that she used to ,but still determines to stay on, so Pritam agrees.After the guests had left, Pritam calls her doctor friend-they will eat together as friends do.

CHARACTERSPRITAM: A woman in her 30s,she does not care about her appearances,looks shabby.Not well-received by her relatives who only stop to see her because they must.Quarrels easily and rebellious as she cannot accept anythings that she doesnt like.She pretends that she is in relationship with Dr.Sahib. She seems seems to have liked Bobby who married her cousin,Sarla 8 years ago.Her whole life has changed since then.PRITAMS MOTHER: Very middle-class in her lifestyles,well-dressed and a contrast to her daughter.A loving mother because she stays with Pritam even though she wants Pritam to go back home.She dispproves of Dr.Sahib who does not meet her standards.She worries about public opinion and social customs.DR.SAHIB: Small,shabby and even dirty.One eye was blacked out.He stays with Pritam during winter because his roof fell off.His family was ashamed of him and they give him some money and made him stay away from them.No one one is sure if he really is a doctor.He loves reading and is a strong believer of reincarnation.He is a very sensitive person and he have a soft spots for Pritam.BOBBY: Sarlas husband and has been married for 8 years.Good-looking and seems more manly to Pritam.He seems happy to see Pritam and tells her that he has not found anyone like her.But he married Sarla and driven Pritam away from home.

THEMESTraditional customs are important in an Indian middle class society.A girl should be married in her twenties but Pritam is not. She should be with her family but she is alone in a mountainside house with an unsuitable neighbor. Her mother is very disappointed with her and aches for her pain.Values of society are too conservative.A young man cannot stay in a young girls house but Dr. Sahid does when his roof falls in. When the roof was done, the good doctor moved back to his house.MORAL VALUESLove among family members.Pritams mother loves her very much and she cries for her choice of life which she seems very lonely and miserable. Pritam loves her mother and she doesnt want to hurt her. Some quarrels at other times but there is an underlying love which makes them act in certain ways.One must reach out to other people in the society.Pritam helps Dr. Sahid when the roof falls in and keeps him in the house for winter. She knows he is lonely and helps him. There is no expectation in her kind act. She just wants to help another person who has problems. She is his only friend.