Significance of the title of “Rajmohan’s

Wife”

Sucheta Halder
CU Roll No. - 202031-11-0230
CU Registration No. - 031-1212-0264-20
LBC Roll No. - 20-BA-ENGA-0047

Words: 1070
ENGA CC3 Tutorial
04-07-2021
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee wrote "Rajmohan's Wife" which became the primary English
novel written by an Indian author. Regarded as the harbinger of Indian nationalism, the
novelist dared to introduce a strong female protagonist more prominent than men which is not
only thrilling and innovative in itself but also a cry to the revolutionists of young modern
India.

"Rajmohan's Wife" is a revolutionary novel. The very truth that this novel was written at
some stage during the British rule, after the riot of 1857 had raised a great sense of patriotism
among the youngsters. The tale revolves around Matangini, who's the protagonist and the
spouse of the person noted in the title. Though the novel has been constructed following the
track of romance and adventure, the story is mingled with elements of mystery, suspense,
tryst, feudal intrigues, burglary, and love confessions. It also delineates the feeling and
passions of modern women against the backdrop of a feudal rural setting of Bengal.

As the title suggests, the protagonist loses her individuality to the marriage she shares with
her husband. “Rajmohan’s wife” is allowed no control over her identity, her body, and her
sexuality. Not only does it symbolize the authority which a husband possesses over his
spouse but the very truth that submission of women and wives were regarded normal and
necessary. Even if they received prominence they would be regarded only in relation to the
social context they belong to, in terms of their relationship with men as daughter, wife,
mother, or widow. The title justifiably depicts the birth of a modern woman breaking the
shackles of the 19th century India.

The story begins with “Rajmohan’s wife” who is stuck in an unhappy marriage. Her spouse is
villainized by the readers as immoral, cruel, and orthodox. He can only invoke fear, dread,
and contempt in her and keeps her caged in the four walls of the house. Yet, neither her
younger age of 18 nor the bonding of marriage can stop “Rajmohan’s wife” from rising
against all odds as the brave Matangini. Through the rain and storm, she sticks her head high
and her strong will undeterred. Eventually, she succeeds in saving Madhav from the robbery.
Her act of valor puts her in a dangerous spot as her husband discovers her plan. The story
progresses into a series of mayhems where Rajmohan is cornered by the dacoit leader,
Matangini’s escapade, Madhav being held captive by the one who eyes his property, and so
on. The abrupt ending of the novel ties all the loose ends of the story and reveals the legal
intrigue and criminal conspiracy behind the whole havoc.

One of the main reasons why this title justifies its cause was the portrayal of Matangini as an
individual. Although Matangini and Rajmohan’s wife are different identity of the same
person, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee did showcase a definite purpose behind naming it. The
protagonist was introduced to the readers as the spouse of a person, born within the social and
familial expectations burdened upon her. As the story progresses, we see her fighting to prove
her identity as “Matangini”. Even though Rajmohan, a symbol of the much celebrated
patriarchy, went beyond the moral constraints and suppressed his wife, Matangini did not
hesitate to denigrate Raj Mohan's authority to save his sister and son-in-law from the planned
robbery. She fought her way from the imposed identity of “Rajmohan’s wife” till she could
satisfactorily call herself Matangini.
The author skilfully veils “Matangini” from gaining the much needed limelight, just like the
women in the 19th century; yet he does not hesitate to show the example of the modern
woman, who does not need to be defined by someone else to create a personality of her own.
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee has beautifully craved the story showing the much-needed bloom
in the bravery of Matangini through the title “Rajmohan’s wife”.

The entire story clearly indicated that “Rajmohan’s wife” is the heart of the novel and was a
character invoked to strike inspiration in the women of the then subjugated India. The
ironical title clearly reveals the fight women of the 19th century had to put up. Matangini will
have to wait for another time and space before she can dignifiedly live with her earned
identity. The novelist of “Rajmohan’s wife” is himself in dilemma about what to do with her
fate as we simultaneously echo Tagore’s words, “Why will not a woman be given the right to
shape her own destiny.”