THE UPSTAIRS WIFE

       The discussion of The Upstairs Wife was lively and stimulating.  All found the history of partition interesting to learn about.  All also agreed that Karachi would be a very hard place to live, especially as a woman.  It is shocking that a woman is considered impure and worth half of a man.  There was much discussion about polygamy and how women in Pakistan have little choice about the matter.  Even the law giving women the right not to agree with a husband's choosing a second wife can be ignored.  In addition in order to prove rape, a woman must bring in four male witnesses!

         Karachi quickly developed quite a tribal culture, with people from the same area in India choosing to live close together and being suspicious of others.  It was pointed out though that as immigrants came to this country, they banded together in much the same way.  Major cities had their Italian, Irish, Jewish, and Polish neighborhoods etc.

         There was discussion about when Muslims come to this country whether they should be welcome to maintain their own dress and culture or should be expected to adapt to their new home.

         It was pointed out that when the women gathered, the conversation was full of gossip and backstabbing.  This is somewhat understandable because they have very little education, many cannot read, and they are cooped up much of the time.  So they have little stimulation on which to base a conversation.

         Regarding Amina, the author's aunt, there was discussion about how tragic it seems that she became so isolated.  The men in her family deemed that she must go back to her marriage.  She cannot, however, go out on her own without a male escort.

         Such a strict Muslim culture seems like it fosters a very hard, restricted life for women.