Summary of the work - Sykalo Eugen 2023

Short summary - The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri

"The Lowland" by Jhumpa Lahiri is a literary masterpiece that explores the complexities of family, love, and sacrifice. The novel narrates the lives of two brothers, Subhash and Udayan, who grew up in a Calcutta neighborhood during the Naxalite movement of 1960s India. The brothers' lives take divergent paths, with Subhash leaving India to pursue his studies in the United States and Udayan becoming involved in the Naxalite movement.

Lahiri's masterful storytelling is evident from the very beginning of the novel. She opens the book with the brothers as children, playing in a nearby lowland while their mother watches over them. Lahiri establishes the bond between the brothers in this opening scene, as they rely on each other's companionship and support. The lowland, which serves as the backdrop of the novel's opening scene, is a symbol of the brother's childhood innocence and unbreakable bond.

As the novel progresses, Udayan becomes more involved in the Naxalite movement, a Marxist-Leninist revolutionary group that was active in India during the 1960s and 1970s. Subhash, on the other hand, leaves India to pursue his studies in Rhode Island, where he meets his future wife, Gauri. The two brothers' diverging paths create a stark contrast between Subhash's quiet academic life and Udayan's political activism.

Udayan's involvement in the movement eventually leads to his arrest and execution by the police, leaving Gauri pregnant with his child. In a selfless act of compassion, Subhash marries Gauri and brings her to the United States, where they raise Udayan's daughter, Bela. Subhash's act of kindness and selflessness is a testament to the strength of familial bonds.

The novel explores the themes of identity, family, love, and sacrifice. Lahiri depicts the struggles of immigrant life in the United States, as Subhash and Gauri navigate their new roles as parents and spouses. The challenges that Subhash and Gauri face are complex and multifaceted as they try to create a new life for themselves and for Bela. Gauri, in particular, struggles with her identity and her relationship with Bela, who is a constant reminder of Udayan's death.

Lahiri's prose is elegant and intricate, as she weaves together the complex lives of her characters. She employs a non-linear narrative structure, jumping back and forth in time to reveal the motivations and desires of her characters. The use of this structure adds depth and complexity to the plot, and it serves to engage the reader's attention and interest.

The novel's climax occurs when Gauri abandons Subhash and Bela, leaving them to confront the pain and loss that has defined their lives. Through their struggles, Lahiri portrays the resilience and strength of familial bonds, even in the face of tragedy. The novel's ending is both heartbreaking and hopeful, emphasizing the power of love and family to overcome even the most challenging of circumstances.

Overall, "The Lowland" is a poignant and deeply affecting novel that explores the immigrant experience and the human condition. Lahiri's masterful storytelling and elegant prose make this novel an absolute must-read for anyone interested in the complexities of family, love, and sacrifice. The novel's themes are universal and timeless, and Lahiri's ability to capture the intricacies of human emotions is unparalleled.