Nirmala highlights the different layers to the patriarchal society.

It
also reflects the ambiguities within the same framework, that is
patriarchy. The story in nirmala revolves around a young girl nirmala
who is forced by circumstances to marry a person twenty years older
to her. This person called totaram is also the father of three sons, the
eldest son almost nirmala’s age. Young nirmala does not question
the marriage. In fact she is apprehensive from the beginning when
she was to marry a rich handsome young man. She is anxious,
sceptical even cynical. She reflects over her position as a girl; how
girls have to leave their parents’ abode to live life with a complete
stranger. Finally when she marries totaram, her doubts are all gone.
She resigns to her fate completely. As a wife nirmala is supposed to
play the role of an entertainer to her husband. She is afraid of his
advances as his age bothers her. She tries to find solace in playing
with the kids. This too annoys her husband who wants her
completely to himself. We notice here a major deviation to the
primal norm of the patriarchal society wherein a woman is supposed
to play an ideal wife and mother. Nirmala who has grown in such a
society is deprived of the basic right to her kids even though they are
not her own.

Nirmala’s relationship with mansaram, her eldest step-son must be

studied very carefully. We know that both are young, almost the
same age. In the beginning of the novel, we are told that nirmala is
fun-loving. She changes when she comes to know that she is to be
married. The change however is suppression of one’s creative and
innocent instincts. It also takes our attention to the male dominated
society wherein a woman is forced to give her pursuits in order to be
acceptable in the society. It is the same society where a person as old
as totaram marries a young girl only to amuse himself. The presence
of mansaram pleases nirmala who is much grief- stricken. Her
naughtiness returns. Though nirmala asks mansaram to tutor her for
his company, we must se the difference here. It is not a woman’s
though cunning. It is rather her innocence in finding out ways to be
happy. This portrays nirmala as a strong character who still wants to
be happy under the upsetting nasty circumstances. With mansaram,
she forgets her pains. She has already accepted her role as a wife and
a mother. But with mansaram she becomes the old nirmala, the
young girl nirmala who danced in her house and teased her brothers.
Considering nirmala’s circumstances, it is very natural on her part to
grow fond of mansaram. Sick of her old husband’s advances, she
seeks support from the young healthy mansaram. Though she knows
very well the meaning of her relationship with the boy, she just
wants his presence in the house. It is the only thing that pleases her.