Marital Struggles in the Novel Jaao Pakhi/ ‘যাও পাখি’ উপন্যাসে দাম্পত্য সম্পর্কের টানাপোড়েন

Abstract

Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay’s novel Jaao Pakhi (1976) intricately explores the complexities of marital relationships, portraying the emotional turbulence, unspoken conflicts, and eventual reconciliations that define human bonds. The novel, initially serialized in Desh magazine and later expanded into a book, delves into the lives of three couples— Brajgopal-Nonibala, Raneen-Beena, and Ajit-Shila—each representing distinct facets of conjugal strife and resilience.

            At the heart of the narrative is Brajgopal and Nonibala’s marriage, which deteriorates from affectionate banter to bitter resentment due to Brajgopal’s neglect and Nonibala’s growing isolation. Their story reflects how unaddressed grievances and societal pressures can erode love, yet hints at the possibility of late-life redemption. In contrast, Raneen and Beena’s relationship is marked by mutual distrust and toxic masculinity, culminating in violence—a stark commentary on patriarchal dominance and emotional detachment in urban middle-class marriages. The third couple, Ajit and Shila, embodies a seemingly harmonious union disrupted by unspoken insecurities, particularly Shila’s ambiguous friendship with a colleague, which strains their trust.

             Through these relationships, Mukhopadhyay underscores that marital harmony requires more than love—it demands empathy, communication, and compromise. The novel’s cyclical structure, ending with tentative reconciliations, suggests hope amid despair. Jaao Pakhi thus serves as a poignant sociological document, revealing how external chaos (e.g., post-Partition displacement) and internal conflicts shape intimate bonds. Ultimately, the novel affirms that while marital tensions are inevitable, understanding and forgiveness can rekindle connection, making it a timeless exploration of human vulnerability and resilience.