Roots Literary Appreciation , Renjith K R , 20USOC3628, 2nd DC BA SOCIOLOGY

 

Roots by Ismat Chugtai depicts the situation of India during the partition period through the story of  one Hindu family  and one Muslim family. The violent nature of the riots that followed the partition was very clearly portrayed by the writer. The use of literary lines had made the story extra ordinary and gave readers the actual effect of the riots.

Some of them are:-
1. 'Between these two Flags there was a chasm mikes wide'. These lines show how the partition widened the gap between the two families. Earlier they were so close but after partition no one took notice of each other's family.

2. 'Deadly wound that it would fester for years to come' shows how much pain people suffered after partition and this pain was unbearable for them.

3. 'Memory pierced through the heart like lightning' Here we can see how beautiful and peaceful was the family and the strong bond that existed between those families.

4. 'She had nursed the crop with her heart's blood'. These lines showcase not only the love and care of the amma in the story but also the mind of all mothers in the world. Mothers sacrifices everything for their children and lookafter them.

5. 'Rivers of blood flowed'. These lines show how pathetic the situation of India where many were killed in the riots. People were killed only because they were Hindus and Muslims.

The whole story shows the bond between two families and the affection of the mother towards her homeland. It also depicts the impact of partition over Indian lives.