“Marriages
are Made” by Eunice de Souza
This is a short satirical poem in which the poet highlights
how, in arranged marriages, women are often judged not by their personality,
education, or emotions, but by physical traits and family background.
Summary
The poem “Marriages are Made” presents a satirical and
ironic view of the traditional arranged marriage system in India. Through the
example of her cousin Elena, the poet Eunice de Souza exposes how marriage is
treated more like a formal contract or business deal than a bond of love and
companionship.
The poem begins with the announcement that Elena is about
to get married, and all the “formalities” have been completed. By using the
word formalities, the poet immediately sets a critical tone, showing that the
marriage process is mechanical, rigid, and impersonal.
Elena and her family are subjected to several inspections.
Her family background is checked for any hereditary illnesses like tuberculosis
and mental instability, which suggests that marriage is viewed in terms of
physical fitness and “clean” bloodlines. Elena’s father’s financial stability
is also scrutinized, highlighting how wealth plays a major role in finalizing
marriages.
Next, Elena herself is examined as though she were an
object for sale. Her eyes are checked for squints, her teeth for cavities, and
even her stools for worms. The reference to the “non-Brahmin worm”
sarcastically points to the deep-rooted obsession with caste purity in Indian
society. These humiliating examinations show how a woman’s worth is measured in
terms of health, looks, and caste rather than her personality, feelings, or
choices.
After these physical and social inspections, religious
authorities are consulted. Eleven Brahmins are brought in to declare the groom
auspicious, and finally, an astrologer is asked to predict the success of the
marriage. The astrologer claims that Elena’s marriage to this particular man is
“especially auspicious,” even going so far as to say that without him, she
would probably die. This exaggerated prediction reflects blind faith in
astrology and how decisions about marriage are controlled by priests and
superstitions rather than by the individuals involved.
Through sharp irony, the poet criticizes this whole system
where marriage is reduced to a transaction involving money, caste, health, and
horoscopes. The girl’s own desires or consent are not even considered. The poem
thus exposes the lack of freedom for women and ridicules the rigid traditions
that govern arranged marriages in Indian society.
Key Points in the Summary
Marriage is shown as a business-like contract rather than
an emotional bond.
Women are inspected physically (eyes, teeth, stools) and
socially (caste, family background).
The father’s financial position is as important as the
girl’s health.
Religion and astrology dominate marriage decisions.
The poem uses irony and sarcasm to expose the narrow,
superstitious, and patriarchal mindset of society.
The central theme is the objectification of women and the mockery
of the arranged marriage system.
Marriages are Made – Eunice de Souza
My cousin Elena is to be married
the formalities have been completed:
her family history examined for T.B. and madness
her father declared solvent
her eyes examined for squints
her teeth for cavities
her stools for the possible non-Brahmin worm
Eleven brahmins declared her choice of a groom
to be auspicious
an astrologer declared that her marriage
to this man would be
particularly auspicious:
without him
she’d probably die
Word Meanings
1.
Formalities – Official or
routine procedures that must be completed (e.g., rules, checks, rituals).
2.
Examined – Carefully checked or
inspected.
3.
T.B. – Short for tuberculosis,
a serious infectious lung disease.
4.
Madness – Mental illness or
insanity.
5.
Declared solvent – Legally and
financially stable (not in debt; able to pay bills).
6.
Squints – Eyes that are not
properly aligned (crossed eyes).
7.
Cavities – Holes or decay in
the teeth.
8.
Stools – Solid waste passed
from the body (excreta).
9.
Non-Brahmin worm – A sarcastic
phrase; here it means worms (parasites) that are linked to eating
non-vegetarian food, often associated with “non-Brahmin” communities. It
highlights caste prejudice.
10. Brahmins – The priestly caste in Hindu society, traditionally
considered the highest caste.
11. Auspicious – Lucky, favorable, bringing good fortune.
12. Astrologer – A person who predicts the future based on the positions
of stars and planets.
13. Particularly – Especially, more than usual.
14. Without him she’d probably die – An exaggerated statement by the
astrologer suggesting that the girl’s survival depends on marrying this man
(used ironically).
Meaning
& Explanation:
1.
"My cousin Elena
is to be married / the formalities have been completed:"
- The speaker
introduces Elena’s marriage. The phrase "formalities" suggests
a business-like transaction, not an emotional or personal choice.
2.
"her family
history examined for T.B. and madness / her father declared solvent"
- Before
marriage, Elena’s background is checked like a medical and financial
report. "T.B." (tuberculosis) and "madness" represent
diseases feared by families.
- Her father
being "solvent" means he is financially stable—marriage is
linked to money, not love.
3.
"her eyes examined
for squints / her teeth for cavities / her stools for the possible non-Brahmin
worm"
- Even her
physical features and bodily functions are checked.
- "non-Brahmin
worm" sarcastically refers to obsession with caste “purity.”
4.
"Eleven brahmins
declared her choice of a groom to be auspicious"
- Priests are
consulted to approve the match, showing religious and cultural control
over marriage.
5.
"an astrologer
declared that her marriage to this man would be particularly auspicious:
without him she’d probably die"
- Astrology
dictates her future. The exaggeration—“without him she’d probably die”—is
sarcastic, showing blind faith in superstitions.
Literary Terms in the Poem
1. Satire
- The entire
poem is a satire on Indian arranged marriages.
- Example: “her stools for the possible non-Brahmin
worm” mocks caste prejudice.
2. Irony
- The poem
constantly uses irony—saying one thing but meaning another.
- Example: “without him she’d probably die”
– clearly sarcastic, showing blind faith in astrology.
3. Sarcasm
- A sharper,
biting form of irony.
- Example: The
way the girl’s physical examinations are listed as if she were a product
in a shop.
4. Imagery
- Medical imagery: T.B., squints,
cavities, stools – creates a clinical, unromantic picture.
- Astrological imagery: priests and
astrologers deciding her fate.
5. Symbolism
- Non-Brahmin worm = symbol of caste
obsession and purity concerns.
- Father declared solvent = symbol of how
financial status outweighs emotions in marriage.
6. Hyperbole (Exaggeration)
- The astrologer’s
prediction: “without him she’d probably die”
– a ridiculous exaggeration, meant to highlight blind superstition.
7. Tone
- The tone is mocking, ironic, satirical, and critical.
8. Allusion
- Reference to Brahmins and astrology –
alluding to Hindu customs that control marriages.
9. Free Verse
- The poem has
no rhyme scheme, no fixed meter → reflects conversational, realistic
style.
10. Colloquial Language
- Simple,
everyday language (e.g., teeth
for cavities, eyes for squints) – makes the satire sound
casual and natural.
11. Juxtaposition
- Placing
sacred marriage rituals alongside medical tests and stool checks → creates
humor and exposes absurdity.
12. Feminist Voice
- Though
subtle, the poem carries a feminist
perspective, exposing how women are reduced to bodies,
castes, and horoscopes in patriarchal society.
Critical Analysis
1.
Theme
The poem exposes the mechanical,
superstitious, and patriarchal nature of arranged marriages in Indian society.
A girl’s value is judged by her family’s financial position, her physical
health, caste background, and the approval of priests and astrologers—while her
individuality, desires, or emotions are ignored.
2.
Tone and Style
The tone is ironic, satirical, and mocking.
The poet uses plain, everyday language but
loads it with sarcasm to highlight social absurdities.
For example, the line “her stools for the
possible non-Brahmin worm” is humorous on the surface but deeply critical of
caste obsession.
3.
Imagery and Symbolism
Medical imagery (T.B., squints, cavities,
stools) shows how marriage is reduced to a health check-up.
Caste symbolism in “non-Brahmin worm”
highlights the obsession with purity.
Astrological imagery reflects blind faith
in superstition.
4.
Social Criticism
The poem criticizes the patriarchal system
where women are objectified and treated like commodities to be tested and
approved.
It shows how religion and superstition
control personal lives, leaving no room for freedom or love.
It also mocks the commercial aspect of
marriage, where the father’s financial stability is as important as the girl’s
health.
5.
Irony
Irony is the backbone of the poem:
A marriage, expected to be sacred and
emotional, is described in the language of contracts and inspections.
The astrologer’s exaggerated claim—“without
him she’d probably die”—mocks society’s blind dependence on astrology.
6.
Form and Structure
The poem is written in free verse (no rhyme
scheme, no regular rhythm).
This suits the conversational,
matter-of-fact tone and makes the satire more natural.
The lack of poetic ornamentation reflects
the dry, bureaucratic nature of arranged marriages.
7.
Feminist Perspective
Eunice de Souza, a feminist poet, questions
the objectification of women.
The poem shows how a girl is reduced to her
body parts, caste identity, and horoscope, not respected as a human being with
choices.
It underlines the absence of the woman’s
voice in her own marriage.
8.
Conclusion
“Marriages are Made” is a sharp satire on
the hypocrisy of Indian arranged marriages. By using irony, humor, and simple
language, Eunice de Souza exposes how marriages are treated as transactions
controlled by caste, wealth, and superstition, rather than unions of love and
companionship. The poem remains relevant even today as it questions gender
inequality and blind traditions.
Important Questions and Answers
A.
Short Answer Type Questions
(2–3 marks)
Q1. Who is Elena in the poem?
Ans. Elena is the speaker’s cousin whose
arranged marriage is being described. She represents women in Indian society
who undergo rigid checks and rituals before marriage.
Q2. What is meant by “her father declared
solvent”?
Ans. It means Elena’s father is financially
stable and free from debt. Financial status is treated as a crucial factor in
marriage arrangements.
Q3. What diseases were checked in Elena’s
family history?
Ans. Tuberculosis (T.B.) and madness
(mental illness) were checked to ensure hereditary “purity.”
Q4. Why were Elena’s eyes, teeth, and
stools examined?
Ans. Her eyes were checked for squints, her
teeth for cavities, and her stools for worms. These medical tests show how
marriage is treated like a physical inspection.
Q5. Who declared the marriage auspicious?
Ans. Eleven Brahmins (priests) and an astrologer
declared the marriage auspicious, showing the role of religion and superstition
in marriage decisions.
Q6. What is ironic about the astrologer’s
prediction?
Ans. The astrologer exaggeratedly says that
without this man, Elena would probably die. This is ironic because it mocks
society’s blind faith in astrology.
B.
Reference to Context (4–5
marks)
Q7. “her stools for the possible
non-Brahmin worm” – Explain.
Ans. This line satirically refers to how
even Elena’s stools were examined for worms, particularly linked with
non-Brahmin food habits (like meat-eating). It highlights caste prejudices and
the obsession with ritual purity in arranged marriages.
Q8. “Eleven Brahmins declared her choice of
a groom to be auspicious” – Explain.
Ans. Here, the poet mocks the role of
priests who have the authority to decide if a match is lucky. The use of eleven
Brahmins shows blind dependence on religion rather than personal choice in
marriage.
C.
Long Answer Type Questions (6–8
marks)
Q9. Discuss Eunice de Souza’s criticism of
arranged marriages in “Marriages are Made.”
Ans. The poem satirizes the Indian arranged
marriage system. Through the example of her cousin Elena, the poet shows how
women are treated as objects to be inspected medically (for squints, cavities, worms),
socially (for caste), and financially (through the father’s solvency). Priests
and astrologers decide the marriage’s “auspiciousness,” reducing it to
superstition and ritual. The woman’s personal choice is ignored. By using irony
and humor, Eunice de Souza criticizes patriarchal control, caste obsession, and
blind faith in astrology.
Q10. How does Eunice de Souza use irony and
satire in the poem?
Ans. Irony and satire are central to the
poem. For example, serious medical checks are described casually, as though
marriage is a business contract. The phrase “her stools for the possible
non-Brahmin worm” ridicules caste prejudices, and the astrologer’s statement
that Elena would “probably die” without this groom is an exaggerated mockery of
blind faith. Satire makes the poem humorous on the surface but deeply critical
of social practices underneath.
Q11. What does the poem reveal about the
status of women in society?
Ans. The poem shows that women are treated
as commodities in arranged marriages. Elena is judged on her physical health,
beauty, caste purity, and family’s financial background, while her feelings and
individuality are ignored. The decisions are controlled by men, priests, and
astrologers, leaving no space for the woman’s consent. Thus, the poem exposes
the marginalization and objectification of women in patriarchal society.
Q12. Explain the title “Marriages are
Made.”
Ans. The title is ironic. It suggests that
marriages are “made” like business deals, following rules, inspections, and
rituals, instead of being natural unions of love. It also hints at the
artificial and mechanical nature of arranged marriages in Indian society.
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