CORRUPT MOLVI JALAL:A person show’s up in the haveli and introduced himself as molvi jalal and said that

his wife is a distance relative of the haveli’s people. Further he explains his story that he was kicked out from his
land house by the feudal Lord. He also doesn’t have any source of income or anywhere to live. So Qasim Ali
khan was very famous for his generosity as he was ja judge and lawyer. He provides him servant quarter to live
as long as he can find anywhere to live or any job.By his appearance he seems like a good person but as Zaib
have sharp instinct intuition. She doesn’t get positive vibes from him even told his father that she feels like this
person had blood on his hands. Zaib’s father know her power so he doesn’t ignores her or neither take any
action he just said that we’ll see if something happens.In reality whatever zaib’s felt was so true because the
molvi jala was not a good person he is evil by nature and is a murderer of his own mother, also a rapists who
rape a minor boy named salaar in religious place and later on poisoned him to death. So police was in search of
him and he was hiding here in the haveli.On every Friday he used to give darzs in that he did not focus on the
virtues or religious things which are actually convey in the darzs but instead he was saying that if you do this
you’ll get sin or that, and do not indulged yourself into Adultery etc but in reality he was doing all those things. He
was a satire on the society.So every doing any wrong thing most people repent for the wrongdoing but he was
like this haveli is good and I’ll try to stay here, will not go from this haveli. So he told Qasim Ali khan that he
wants to be the head and will lead namaz, will guide those people who are on wrong path in their life. As Qasim
Ali khan was the man of the society so he knew what kind of a person this molvi is but he ask the molvi for some
time to consult with his family.Molvi jalal was also includes in black magic.

FEMINISM IN THE BLUE ROOM:

After the death of Zaib dada khan bahadur ali. Her dadi Quratulain became the matriarch of the family.As in
most Pakistani culture when the head of the family like dada died then the power or responsibility matriarch of
the family and she handles everything.
Her son Qasim Ali khan sometimes helped her but overall she became matriarch of the family on her
own.Zainab story how she gets divorced and tolerates the beating of her husband.
MAGICAL REALISM IN THE BLUE ROOM:
Definition:Magical realism is a blend of magic and real world. A hint of magic added to the elements of the
novel which are based on reality this is called magical realism.
The author Incorporates the aspect of magical realism in the whole novel repeatedly the elements of magical
realism are embedded in it. It defined as the term magic and realism, magic which incorporates the real world to
make the text more appealing. The setting is real but a hint of magic has been added, therefore it is termed as
realistic fiction.
First magical realism aspect is that the family in Jahangirabad Qasim Ali khan his family never sleeps and they
do not even have the urge to sleep or any sleep deprivation they are just sleepless. They just need a moment or
one to two minutes in a day. They get unconscious and refresh. They get this in their heredity. That when their
family members reach a certain age or hit puberty they become sleepless. 
In the novel the character of zaib-un-nisa is kind of unrealistic. It gives the touch of fantasy or fiction because
the time she was born the elders of her family felt a weird kind of sensation while looking in her eyes. People say
she had an extra ordinary element within her sight. She could fortell what would happen next or she could forsee
what is coming next.
When adeel one of her maternal cousin came to meet the family of zaib-un-nisa. He had lustful intentions for
zaib. He pulled her close to him and zaib gazed at him harshly and adeel got scared. Her adeel realize that
something poisonous is biting him on his face and that poisonous creature was scorpio.
One time a snake came into her dadi room she just locked her glance with the snake and then she controllers
the snake body and that snake gets out from the room.It was her fierce glance of enchanting grey eyes that
made people wonder about her queer personality. Her magical and spiritual power laid in her eyes could
recognize, confused, defeat people.
For Example : it was due to her dominating and striking gaze that she recognized real face of molvi jalal which
left him trembling and shivering
Most important thing that can be included in magical realism is the title the blue room.A
s they lived in a big mansion like haveli, which have seven quarters many libraries and their were many rooms in
that haveli. So as zaib was wondering around the haveli she discovered a room from which she heard voices like
whispering, murmuring And the voices also called her name “zaib”. As zaib already have superpowers like sharp
instinct so she knew that there was no danger or negativity in that room instead she communicates with those
voices and asked “ who am I talking to “ and the room replied that “ we are not someone we are the walls of this
room”.And all the rooms of the haveli head white paint on the walls but in that room there was aqua blue color on
the walls.
So zaib further ask that “ how do you talk or who are you “ so the room replied that “ we are living here since the
centuries. We know everything about this haveli, about the people who lived here, about their lives and
everything that happens in this haveli and even outside the haveli”. So the walls of that blue room become the
friends of zaib and the blue walls of the roomstarted to share everything, also past history of zaib’s ancestors
that her great grandfather he build this room for the sick people’s, at that time they an viral disease leprosy the
people who this disease were kept in this room. Some of them survive and some die and some of them were the
close one of the haveli people so they decided that they can’t hear their close one cry of pain any more in this
room so they decided to abandoned the room.Then some people used it for the bad purposes. Some distance
cousin used this room for the bad things.
So the blue walls of the room told zaib that we have been through all these and now everyone inthis haveli are
good peoples. As they told zaib about everything. So she got a lot of knowledge from every perspective.And zaib
was very much interested in reading literature and poetry. So they also got knowledge of it. The blue room
knowledge was beyond her age so because of that zaib has to pay with her looks. Like zaib looks like 20 years
old but in reality was 16 years old and when she was 28 she looked like 40. That’s how she was paying for the
knowledge which she was gaining from the blue room walls

Author Nafisa Rizvi Talks about “The Blue Room”

Occupying a haveli named “Shahi Manzil” located in a remote Pakistani village is a very special feudal family
which actually never sleeps. And if that itself does not initially grab the reader’s attention, the main character
certainly will, a girl-child and later woman by the named Zaib who possesses magical powers and through whom
we experience first time novelist Nafisa Rizvi’s captivating “ The Blue Room” and its secretly talking walls.
“If you cut yourself off from your roots, you will bleed,” is a line focused on in this colorful tale of family ties
and the collective anguish of a small clan from amongst the rural elite, one which eventually moves to the big
city but just cannot leave behind its challenges easily. It becomes a part of an internal migration story and of
escape, hope and reservations. Grandmother, Qurut-ul Ain sums up their dilemma best when she says, “Your
children will wander aimlessly on the earth not knowing where to build their homes or bury their dead. They will
be unrecognizable in a sea of faces. Who will know that they belong to the family of the indomitable Sulaiman
Khan? Who will care?”
The Blue Room ThemesCultural and Social Issues

Introduction A social issue is a problem that affects many people within a society. Cultural issues are problems
that occur when culture conflicts with systems, goals, or other cultures.In "The Blue Room' by Nafisa Rizvi we
see social and cultural issues arising. There is a description of the place Jahangirabad and Dera Murshid, how
poverty is embedded in the place while on the other hand there is a brilliance of architecture present in
bourgeoisie
Culture of Harassment a leading evilDuring the novel we witness a lot of scenes with reference to
harassment. This has been a major social issues of our societies since ages where women deal with
harassment and sexualities assault. Similarly, Zaib deals with this when his cousin Adeel came to visit
byReferenceAdeel was sitting on the lounge chair with his legs stretched out comfortably and he pulled Zaib
towards. him as she came forward to greet him." Another social issue that has been touched upon many times in
the novel is the sexual harassment of women at the hands of male members of the society whether they are
relatives or strangers. Mehr was the victim of molestation when she attended the party with Zaib. The other thing
that has been highlighted during the whole incident is that the men cannot take no for an answer when women
refuses their advances. Reference"The short stout man held out a hand and caressed Mehr on the
shoulder.Difference in attitude The difference of attitude among people because of class distinction. People of
the area are highly judgmental and quick to raise a question on others."Zaib's paternal uncle, was a homosexual
and enjoyed the company of young boys."'Zaib's paternal aunt, was a tyrannous and evil woman who beat her
son mercilessly.' (chap. pg.5)Society, without any evidence or proof are declaring blunt remarks on Asadullah
and Zainab. This is the dark. side of the society shown in the story where society acts like God who has
everyright to question our doings.Women is the yes men of society During the novel we witness a lot of
scenes with reference to harassment. This has been a major social issues of our societies since ages where
women deal with harassment and sexualities assault. Similarly, Zaib deals with this when his cousin Adeel came
to visit by.'Adeel was sitting on the lounge chair with his legs stretched out comfortably and he pulled Zaib
towards. him as she came forward to greet him." (chap. Pg.8
Forceful Marrigewe see three cultural flaw of forced marriage in our society. Zaib was told, not even asked to
marry some guy who her family picked for her. Murtaza was already married and so much older than Zaib.The
attitude of Zaib's mother in law is rightly depicted in the novel. This is the scenario in most of our houses. How
mother in laws treated their daughter in law just because their son takes stand for their wives. Society also
judges Zaib for the family she belongs to. There are several issues of the society and culture displayed in this
story, which highlights it's effects and impact on individuals.As mentioned already that how much Pakistani
society is enveloped in the social and cultural issues. Everything that the people in this society do, involve some
kind of odd tradition behind the act.The elders of a 'desi' household have for their sons. The toxic mentality of
Zaib's mother in law was further revealed with this incident. This is true for the general society as well where
men are labeled as non-masculine or feeble if they show affection to their wives. They are also labeled
shameless for the loving attitude towards their own wife. The statement and the way Jameela says "it's not as if
you're friends" is very strange because husband and wife should be friends all the more than any other person.
The friendship between a wife and a husband is incomprehensible to the toxic society and culture of Pakistan.
This example also portrays that thein-laws give no space to the married couple for them to build their
understanding which later eads to being distant and troubles for the young couples. This is a morbid and odd
social and cultural issue that has not been shaken even in the modern times of 21 century
Religion use as the manipulation toolwe see a horrible truth of our society, the dark side of clergy men. Jalal
is a representation of leaders who manipulate people in the name of religion and their own disgusting desires.
These people ruin the face of the society as well as religion. Jalal is a moulvi who rapes a young boy Salar and
later poisons him to death.People of Pakistan are entangled in religious deceptions. This is proved by an
incident where Zaib's mother in law tries to hide suspicious taweez in her cupboard to rid Zaib of her supposed
'infertility even though Zaib was perfectly fine and healthy. This also shows how much and what extent Pakistani
people rely on the the taweez culture. They do not just ask God themselves but rather get scammed from
various fake pirs. Another thing that is prominent from this incident was that women are more inclined towards
the taweez culture and how mother in laws just assume and blame their daughter in law for everything and
anything that is wrong.The theme of religious deception is mentioned time and time again in the novel. One such
character that portrays this was Tameezuddin. He became a family pir sahib of Murtaza's family and was
honoured and treated with utmost respect as if he were some divine being. The remarks he made towards the
ladies of the house which were to never show their faces to 'na mehrams' but in reality he commited a major sin
himself which was the murder of his mother
Upbringing affects One another social and cultural issue of Pakistani society that has been highlighted in the
novel isthe toxic. Up-bringing of children and how the parents think that their children are not human beings but
their possessions to control and order. This can be seen when Murtaza left his family to go make a life of his
own with his wife. Murtaza's father reaction was really extreme that he even sent men to find Murtaza and was
determined to kill him if he ever sees him again.Reference"Your father was so livid, he erupted like a volcano.'
(p. 334)'Your father has threatened to shoot you if he ever sees you' (p. 334)
Gender Biasness Another aspect of social issues is the discrimination between boys and girls in the family.
Boys are given way more importance than girls. Here in the story, girls of the family are not allowed togo to
school whereas boys were. Even though Zaib was capable and interested in knowledge and
wisdom.Reference'Zaib had not gone to school although she was taught to read and write at home." (chap1.
Pg.9)A very important cultural and social issue is raised here. In Pakistani society, people want to have sons and
they shudder at the thought of having a daughter. In most households people are disappointed when a daughter
is born. Women are pressured by the society, in laws and their husbands to bore a son. So here by asking
Murtaza if he is disappointed by another daughter, the author is highlighting the mentality of men and the
society.Reference"Zaib asked the beaming Murtaza if he was disappointed at another daughter and would have
preferred a boy. The hurt look in Murtaza's eyes told her of the pain she had caused by eyen suggesting that
Murtaza would be unhappy over such a matter. (p. 355)
A shiftLater on, when Khan Bahadur Ali dies, Qurut al ain took matters into her own hands. In our society the
role of a women is multidimensional. The honour and dignity of the whole family isn the hands of women,
because only women are answerable to others about their actions and notmen.
Corruption is my right Another ugly truth of society that has been highlighted is how rich is protected by the
police. Rich people like Murtaza's father can commit any sin and not pay the price for their crimes. All they have
to do is to keep the pockets of policemen full.

Class Distinction in "The Blue Room"Nafisa Rizvi's Portrayal of Socio-Economic DisparitiesIn "The Blue
Room," Nafisa Rizvi adeptly unveils the stark class distinctions embedded in the fabric of the society she
depicts. The novel provides a poignant portrayal of the stark differences in living standards, economic
opportunities, and societal status among the characters, emphasizing the pervasive nature of class-based
divisions.
Shahi Manzil: A Symbol of AffluenceThe stark class distinction is exemplified through Shahi Manzil, the
opulent residence of Khan Bahadur Ali. Rizvi describes it as a mansion spread over 85 acres, a symbol of
wealth and prosperity. The stark contrast between such lavish living and the impoverished conditions in the town
of Dera Murshid underscores the economic disparities prevalent in the society
Dera Murshid
Through vivid descriptions, the author paints a grim picture of Dera Murshid, where the majoritylives below the
poverty line. The town is portrayed as "shanty settlements," emphasizing the destitution and squalor faced by a
significant portion of the population. This depiction serves to highlight the socio-economic divide that permeates
the narrative.
Exploitation of Servants: A Cruel RealityRizvi addresses the issue of economic exploitation by delving into
the mistreatment of servants. The beating of servants by the feudal families, as seen in Sheikh Akbar Ameer's
household, serves as a powerful commentary on the cruelty stemming from economic disparities. The
vulnerability of the impoverished is exploited, reflecting the harsh realities of class distinctions.Forced Marriages:
Sacrificing Individual Lives for Family HonorThe novel brings to light the societal practice of forced marriages as
a means to maintain family honor or settle debts. Zaib, the protagonist, becomes a victim of this cultural norm,
forced into a marriage without her consent. This narrative thread emphasizes how individuals, particularly
women, bear the brunt of societal expectations and familial obligations, perpetuating class-based norms.
Superstitions and Influence of Peers:The narrative exposes the prevalence of superstitions and the influence
of self-proclaimed spiritual leaders or peers. Characters like Molvi Jalal and Tameez u Deen manipulate societal
beliefs to their advantage, preying on the vulnerabilities of individuals like Jamila. This underscores how the
exploitation of the less privileged is perpetuated through the endorsement ofpseudo-religious figures.
Conclusion: In "The Blue Room," Nafisa Rizvi skillfully weaves a narrative that intricately dissects the layersof
class distinctions within the societal framework. The vivid portrayals of opulence and poverty,the exploitation of
the vulnerable, and the perpetuation of cultural norms collectively contribute to a comprehensive exploration of
class-based issues prevalent in the subcontinent societies

FEUDALISM IN NOVEL
Nafisa Rizvi, in her novel "The Blue Room," vividly portrays the socio-economic and cultural landscape of
feudalism in Pakistan. The narrative sheds light on various facets of feudal life, emphasizing its impact on social
structures, education, gender roles, marriages, and the exploitation of both women and lower-class individuals.
The text provides a comprehensive analysis of how feudal lords wield power, influence, and control, and how
their actions shape thelives of those around them.1. Agricultural Dominance and Political Influence:The
novel underscores the enduring presence of feudalism in Pakistan, particularly in rural areas. Feudal lords, often
large landowners, are not only economically powerful due to their vast estates but also politically influential.
Many of them transition into politics, directly or indirectly ruling the country. This dual dominance, both in
agriculture and politics, becomes a significant obstacle to national development.2. Lavish Lifestyle and Social
Isolation:Rizvi vividly describes the opulent lifestyle of feudal lords, contrasting it with the poverty prevalent in
the surrounding areas. The feudal families live in grand havelis, isolated from the middle and lower classes.
Socializing is limited to their own class, fostering an environment where the feudal lords maintain control over
the local population without government intervention.3. Educational Disparities:The author highlights the
gender-based disparity in education within feudal families. While male heirs attend prestigious schools, female
members are often deprived of education. Despite considering themselves liberal and educated, the feudal lords
adhere to traditional norms, restricting women to domestic roles and denying them educational opportunities.4.
Forceful Marriages and Patriarchal Control:The novel portrays how marriages in feudal families differ from
ordinary ones, often involving forceful decisions imposed by male family members. The patriarchal structure is
dominant, with women expected to follow the decisions of men. The protagonist, Zaibunnissa, becomes a
victimof such forceful decisions, illustrating the systemic oppression within feudal families.5. Exploitation of
Women and ServantsThe narrative delves into the exploitation of women, both within the feudal families and
amongservant classes. Sexual profligacy, forced marriages, and mistreatment of servant girls for the pleasure of
the feudal lords are exposed. Women are depicted as bearing the burden of family honor and pride, often
sacrificing their happiness for the sake of familial obligations.6. Influence on Legal and Political
Systems:Feudal lords exploit their political power to suppress dissent and maintain control over the lower
classes. The character of Sultan Murad exemplifies how these feudal figures manipulate the legal system to
protect their interests, creating a system where even judges and law enforcement officials are influenced or
coerced.7. Cultural Practices and Social Hierarchies:The novel sheds light on various cultural practices within
feudal families, such as lavish wedding ceremonies, the exclusion of women from certain events, and the
enforcement of strict social hierarchies. Traditional customs and beliefs contribute to the perpetuation of feudal
control and influence