Lessons 52–53 · 2 lessons · S. Olim, S. Ahmedov, R. Qo‘chqorov. Literature, Grade 8: textbook-collection, Parts 1 and 2. G‘afur G‘ulom publishing-printing creative house, Tashkent, 2014 (revised third edition)
53
“Nur va soyalar”: Shoshibushon and Giribala
Textbook: Part 2, pp. 155–165
GoalRetell sections I–IV of the story “Nur va soyalar” (the friendship of Giribala and Shoshibushon, the conflict of the steward and the judge).
New words
steward (estate manager) · noiblandowner · zamindorlawyer · advokatsahib, English official · sohib
Explanation
The story takes place in a Bengali village during British colonial rule in India. Ten-year-old Giribala is a neighbour of the young scholar Shoshibushon; though a master of arts and bachelor of law, he does not work, reads in solitude, and has weak eyesight. The little girl throws plum stones to attract his attention and learns reading and writing from him, while her brothers look down on her relying on the printed book. Giribala’s father, the steward Xorkumar, is in the service of his master the landowner; he dislikes Shoshibushon because Shoshibushon gave no legal advice and his claims were lost. When the district judge (an English sahib) comes to the village, his servant asks four sher of ghee for his dogs; Xorkumar refuses, and the sahib humiliates him before the local people. Shoshibushon proposes to take the sahib to court and does not agree when the sahib says “let us settle without noise”.
Worked examples
Example: Giribala’s brothers silence their sister saying “it is written so in our book”; Shoshibushon listens to her questions seriously. The difference between the two attitudes reveals the reason for the friendship.
Example: the servant complains to the sahib that the steward insulted him and the sahib; the frightened steward then lies that he had sent people to find ghee. When the lie comes out, the sahib has the servant drag him out by the ear in front of the people: a local man’s honour is trampled over a little ghee – here the injustice of the colonial order is seen.
Class activity
Think up four headings for sections I–IV of the story and write a one-sentence summary under each.
Practice
1
What does Giribala do to draw Shoshibushon’s attention?
She throws plum stones at his door and tries to look indifferent.
2
What does Shoshibushon teach Giribala?
Reading, writing and grammar; he also tells her of great writers’ works.
3
Why does Xorkumar dislike Shoshibushon?
Because Shoshibushon gave him no legal advice but spoke frankly, and the steward’s affairs went wrong.
4
What is Shoshibushon’s position in the clash with the sahib?
He wants to defend the insulted man by law and does not agree to “settle without noise”.