Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows

As the story enters a new phase, its setting shifts. From the site of the temple and the classroom, scenes jump to Nikki’s family home, Kulwinder’s home, and finally to the pub. These shifts in setting mark the spreading influence of the erotic stories, building on the theme of Erotic Storytelling as Female Empowerment. The common thread through all of these locations remains the erotic stories. Nikki finds her mother and aunt discussing the stories. Nikki’s mother, on hearing that the stories are emerging from a class in the temple in Southall, wonders if her daughter is involved. Rather than condemning the stories, though, the women marvel at how the stories have managed to improve the intimate lives of those who have read them. The efficacy of the stories is demonstrated in Kulwinder’s home too, as they rekindle the passion that has been missing in her marriage since the death of her daughter, Maya. Later, in the pub, both Nikki and Sheena realize that the stories have helped them to speak up for themselves. This realization is punctuated by action: Sheena moves forward in her relationship with her Hindu colleague, and Nikki tells Jason that their relationship is over. The actions taken by the women after reading or writing these stories suggest the importance of storytelling and role models in inspiring courage and change.

The novel has also shifted further into a murder mystery, with clues about Maya’s death starting to appear. Much of the evidence that Maya was murdered revolves around her alleged suicide note, which was written by someone left-handed—possibly the same person who helped the illiterate Tarampal fill out her application form for Nikki’s class. Maya’s parents, Kulwinder and Sarab, have long known that their daughter did not write the note due to linguistic and cultural clues. The note used the Punjabi word izzat, meaning honor or reputation, for example. Maya would have used English only in her note, especially if a comparable word existed in English. Moreover, she never would’ve viewed izzat as a reason for suicide; she did not believe in the concept. The theme of Inter-Generational Tension Among Immigrants thus plays a role in uncovering the truth, suggesting the importance of these differences in values and ways of life coming to light.

Finally, The Challenges of a Hybrid Identity that Nikki continues to wrestle with are reflected in the stories of the murdered women. Maya in particular was a modern young woman who bridled against the restrictions of her conservative society. These shared aspects between the two women are part of what ultimately saves Nikki’s life. Kulwinder and her husband, understanding what this hybrid identity cost their daughter, fully realize just how dangerous Nikki’s probing could be. They even connect Nikki’s probing to the threatening phone calls they’ve received. The repeated foreshadowing provided by their keen awareness and anxiety is compounded when Sheena sees a man following Nikki. With these events, the tension and suspense build for the characters and for the reader.