Class 12 Nepali Chapter 8 Matrittwo Exercise: Questions Answers

Matrittwo or Motherhood, A feminist short story is about the emotional journey of a young widow who is shattered between love and motherhood. It holds a magnifying glass to the internal struggle of Nepali women in the form of a compelling epic.

Mamata, a widow, stays with her two children after her husband dies in a plane crash. She spends her time at her window, looking out for Subodh, a man who comes to her often. Although she derives solace in his presence, her son who does Subodh has begun to resent his frequent visits. In spite of this, Mamata tries to convince her kids that Subodh really has no bad intention. She feels that Subodh adds love and companionship to her life which is devoid of companionship.

Over time Mamata and Subodh bond even more. At the outset, their relationship appears affectionate. However, cracks begin to appear. Subodh begins to exhibit frustration even anger towards Mamata’s children. Then he starts to act funny, and doesn't cover it up when he's pissed off. Mamata, finds herself suffering emotional abuse and is concerned that he does not empathize with the feelings or interests of her children.

Later, Mamata finds out that Subodh's love is superficial and simply physical attraction, without any emotional attachment, and so it is not real. She senses that in this relationship, her motherhood is undermined — how her children are viewed as burdens. Even during an emergency situation, when her daughter is unwell, Subodh is selfish and uncaring.

This dawns Mamata to reality: Subodh doesn't love her family, but her body. He's not very warm, he's not very sympathetic, and he's not very responsible. She ultimately realizes this and leaves him to set up an independent life with her children. Her message is basically that she had the strength to choose motherhood over the desires of herself. The story leaves off with the sentiment that a mother’s love supersedes any open romance.

Motherhood offers an inherently feminist message. It’s an examination of how women, and particularly single mothers, are wrestling with the emotional challenges of balancing love, identity and responsibility. By choosing to keep her children with her even over her romantic attachment, Mamata reestablished the power of maternal love. The narrative insists: Motherhood is holy—more sacred than any man or inclination.