Pratik Harde
Commentary on ‘A Gift’ by Rahila Gupta
The story is an interior monologue that traces the feelings and emotions of a relationship between two women. It is a very reflective piece or work that is written in first person narration. We are not aware of the identity of the narrator. The title of the story contradicts the story. A gift is given to someone out of happiness and that which has good memories that which stays with a person forever. But here the story is called a gift which is very sad and unpleasing to hear. The narrator presents the story in a one sided a way by blurring some facts and adding his own feelings.
In the first two paragraphs of the story, the author shows the speaker as angry towards the other (assumingly French) woman. She says, “I am gifting you an experience, were your parting words. You ultimate egoist.” To this the author replies with, “My experience is of my own making, thank you, my own perceptions.” Here it shows that the author is very angry at the proud nature of the other woman who wants to take full credit for the experience the two women had shared.
The character of the narrator is revealed when the following words ‘My experience is of my own making, thank you, my own perceptions. You can impinge on it only if I will it’. There is also an observation about the second character’s personality. The revelation comes through words like ‘You first entered that crowded room and diminished everyone by your appearance, your personality clearing a path for you’, ‘Such a fiery commitment to your politics’. The author actually reveals the nature of both the characters.
By the use of a certain type of language and phrases that make it very difficult for the reader to know the gender of the narrator. The author seems to have done it deliberately to keep the readers confused. In some sentences the reader feels that the narrator is female “I had overcreamed my lips to preserve them for the winter’s chafing touch”... [continues]
Commentary on ‘A Gift’ by Rahila Gupta
The story is an interior monologue that traces the feelings and emotions of a relationship between two women. It is a very reflective piece or work that is written in first person narration. We are not aware of the identity of the narrator. The title of the story contradicts the story. A gift is given to someone out of happiness and that which has good memories that which stays with a person forever. But here the story is called a gift which is very sad and unpleasing to hear. The narrator presents the story in a one sided a way by blurring some facts and adding his own feelings.
In the first two paragraphs of the story, the author shows the speaker as angry towards the other (assumingly French) woman. She says, “I am gifting you an experience, were your parting words. You ultimate egoist.” To this the author replies with, “My experience is of my own making, thank you, my own perceptions.” Here it shows that the author is very angry at the proud nature of the other woman who wants to take full credit for the experience the two women had shared.
The character of the narrator is revealed when the following words ‘My experience is of my own making, thank you, my own perceptions. You can impinge on it only if I will it’. There is also an observation about the second character’s personality. The revelation comes through words like ‘You first entered that crowded room and diminished everyone by your appearance, your personality clearing a path for you’, ‘Such a fiery commitment to your politics’. The author actually reveals the nature of both the characters.
By the use of a certain type of language and phrases that make it very difficult for the reader to know the gender of the narrator. The author seems to have done it deliberately to keep the readers confused. In some sentences the reader feels that the narrator is female “I had overcreamed my lips to preserve them for the winter’s chafing touch”... [continues]
Cite This Essay
- APA
-
(2008, 09). Commentary on ‘a Gift’ by Rahila Gupta. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 09, 2008, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Commentary-a-Gift-Rahila-Gupta-164069.html
- MLA
-
"Commentary on ‘a Gift’ by Rahila Gupta" StudyMode.com. 09 2008. 09 2008 <http://www.studymode.com/essays/Commentary-a-Gift-Rahila-Gupta-164069.html>.
- CHICAGO
-
"Commentary on ‘a Gift’ by Rahila Gupta." StudyMode.com. 09, 2008. Accessed 09, 2008. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Commentary-a-Gift-Rahila-Gupta-164069.html.
