About the Poet

De Souza a poet, critic and teacher was born in 1940 in Pune into a Goan Catholic family. She
did her master’s degree in English literature from Marquette University in the USA and PhD
from the University of Mumbai. She taught English at St. Xavier’s College in Mumbai. De
Souza’s published her first collection of poetry Fix in 1979. Many of her poems in Fix dwelt on
her ‘Catholic Brahmin’ heritage, with De Souza skewering the pretensions and hypocrisies of the
community. Her poems also established her reputation for a keen eye and a rare combination of
irony and sympathy. In poems like Autobiographical, One Man’s Poetry and Forgive Me,
Mother, De Souza wove in details from her own life and that of her family, such as the death of
her father when she was a child — a trauma that scarred her for much of her life. She died at the
age of 77 at her home in Vakola, Santacruz (East).

About the Poem:

In the poem “Marriages are Made”, Eunice de Souza narrates about one of the phases of
marriage, happening in the Indian society. She explains ironically the processes of her cousin’s
marriage. She criticizes the society for its approaches during the process. She points out that the
girl’s role is neglected during the process rather she was considered as an object of examination
to be suitable for bridegroom and his family. Her narration also reflects that there was no space
created for the bride to voice her opinions, decision or feelings. The poem also reveals the roles
that family history, financial position, appearance and religious background play during marriage
especially in India.

Comprehensive Questions

1. What does the narrator mean by “formalities” in the poem Marriages are Made?

The bride’s family history examined for T.B. and madness, ensured whether her father
declared is solvent, examined whether her eyes has squints, checked whther her teeth has
cavities and tested whether her stools have any possible non-Brahmin worm.

2. Analyze the title and the tone of the poem.

Marriages are Made

 Similar to making and sealing a business deal or closing a contract – no play of feelings
and emotions or other finer qualities of individuals or aspects of life

Highly materialistic, revealing pomp and show

Critical of the materialistic society, sarcastic in tone

3. Do you agree that ‘gender bias’is reflected in social practices as discussed in Marriages
are Made? Support your answer briefly.

Yes ; there is a very strong element of gender bias

Bride has to undergo and experience lots of formalities that are highly outrageous and
hurting the psychology of the bride

No formalities for the groom – just his name suffices

Highly indifferent treatment of the genders where they are expected to be equal partners

4. Discuss any two social practices where women are subjected to numerous humiliations.

Elaborate on the humiliation thrown on women when the couples could have children –
the women is doubted, blamed and expected to go for treatment – what happens when the
man is sterile?

Widowhood – when the husband dies, she has to present herself to the society as a widow
by her wayf of dressing and living. – but when a man becomes a widower, he is free and
even becomes an eligible bachelor again

Think of other practice as well