Susila

=What do I need to know about ... Susila?=

Brief Description
Susila is Krishna’s wife who comes to live with him at the beginning of the novel and consequently forms a strong relationship with him. However, she contracts typhoid which leads to her death. This causes Krishna to realise his love for her and begins his self-development. As a result, he begins to communicate to her through the medium.

Key Quotations
//Eg. Susila decides to visit a temple while house hunting//
 * __Susila is a contrast to Krishna’s character__**

This quotation shows that Susila is spiritual while Krishna is more dependent on Western beliefs.
 * //‘We will go in [the temple]...her eyes shone with unearthly brilliance. Her cheeks glowed’//**

This may also link to the theme of __predictability vs. unpredictability__ as she acts on impulse whereas Krishna does not. An example of this is when Susila and Krishna enter the restaurant before house hunting and Susila admires the bathroom tiles decorating the walls with a "//**simple joy**//" that one may be reminded of as a child. Consequently, she asks Krishna if they could "//**have some of them fixed like that on [their own] walls**//" once they have a house of their own. The contrast between characters and their ideas is shown as Krishna states "//**not in the hall, they are usually put up in the bathrooms**//" and with Susila's response of "**//What if they are! People who like them for bathrooms may have them there, others if they want them elsewhere...//**" Susila's yearn for individuality shines through in this statement as she disregards what "**//civilized cities//**" may see as 'normal' for the tiles and sticks with her own formed opinion.

Another instance of her unpredictability is shown when she wishes to wash her feet in the river while they are on their way to go house hunting. Although Krishna may have been taken a back by her spontaneity, he succumbs to her wishes, despite the fact that //**"it meant walking a couple of miles in the opposite direction."**// This agreement suggests that Susila is influencing Krishna and encouraging him to break out of his monotonous life by disrupting his usual routine.

This disruption of routine contributes to the theme of __English Order vs. Indian Chaos__. Susila and Leela act as a catalyst for change as they are what bring Krishna out of his mechanical lifestyle at the hostel and show Krishna, as well as the reader, to learn to appreciate the chaos of India in comparison to the mundane rituals of Western academic life.

__**  She relies on her own housekeeping skills like keeping order in the food storage and keeping control of her shopping list**__


 * //‘She was very proud of her list. It was precise’//**
 * //‘She was in raptures with the shopping and savings’//**
 * //‘She watched (the rice containers) like a sort of barometer... each had to be at a particular level at a particular date’//**

These quotations show her precise control over her household responsibilities. There is a hint of admiration from Krishna about Susila’s ability to prioritise and organise, even though some of Krishna's freedom has been lost. Moreover, although Krishna seems to treat his wife as someone younger, it is Susila who is more sensible with the financial issues of the house.
 * 'I don't know when you will learn economic ways. You are so wasteful..." page 36**

When Krishna said '//**give me the baby**//', a sense of urgency and chaos is depicted. However, Susila simply '**//smiled//**' and said '**//I will carry the baby down//**'. This shows another contrast between both Susila and Krishna where Susila is seen as a calm woman and Krishna following routine and order and keeping '**//mental note//**'.
 * __Susila is calm and harmonious as she arrives in the train, however Krishna was panicking and having ridiculous fears.(p28).__**

Due to Susila's immaturity she is seen as childish and unworldly, in contrast with Krishna who is worried about worldly affairs and being materialistic. Also, after Susila sells the alarm clock, this has caused a fight where she 'broke down and wept bitterly' which further suggests Susila's immaturity.
 * __Susila isn't interested in English Literature__**
 * 'Even the most solemn poem would provoke her'** p.38

Her role in the novel
Susila acts as a counterpart of Krishna's routine and order theme. When Susila sells Krishna's alarm clock, which is a great significance for Krishna, this has made Krishna to move away from his college life as a teacher to being a husband. In Indian philosophy, Krishna has moved from being in first stage of his life (being part of the school) to the second stage(being husband and father).

Susila's contraction of typhoid causes changes within the stable emotional life of the family. Her parents are afraid and Susila and Krishna are brought closer together as he nurses her.

Finally, when Susila communicates through the medium, Susila helps Krishna towards his goal of self-development.