The "would-be widows" are equating being widowed with being free. Would you equate these two things in the same way?

As the women come to Geeta asking for her help, we understand that our "would-be widows" are equating being widowed with being free, and that they seem to be inspired by Geeta's freedom to live her life as she chooses and not at the dictates of a husband. Would you equate these two things in the same way? Do you think their particular circumstances are shaping this idea of freedom for them? Why or why not?

I’d agree with the concept of freedom for these characters. They seem to have very unbalanced relationships with their husbands-except for Saloni. They all have talents and business that would help them support themselves and their children.

I can see why they saw it that way,though such a situation has not been my experience (and I've been married for 52 years-- to the same guy). The combination of permission to control and entitlement to violence that seems to predominate the culture in which the women live is quite foreign to me and hard for me to imagine. B.t then, that's what books like this accomplish. Now I know.

I understand the quote from their POV because they had no say in their lives and therefore were not free to live them as they chose. If I were a widow, I'd be devastated and it would take time and friendship, after 40 years together to be able to free myself of sorrow and begin again.

Being at an age when many spouses are losing their significant other, the common response is relief and freedom to do the things that couldn't be done when the other has no interest and is usually the stronger in the relationship. As an example, my spouse will only eat cheese pizza...I look forward to the day when toppings can be added.

I have seen, in traveling to other countries, woman's businesses and groups. I think having some personal income and social life is what makes them feel free.

I can understand that feeling. I have a perfect life and I love my husband very much, but there are times when I feel like just being single again would be very freeing. I'm positive that in my circumstances it wouldn't be a change for the better and that I'd be devastated to lose my spouse, but I must admit I do still fantasize about what life would be like. In the case of our heroines, I can certainly see why most of them would feel a burden had been lifted from them. Their husbands were horrible, and they didn't have the option to change their circumstances. When I had a horrible husband I simply divorced him - something that wasn't an option in their cases.

In this story or in far too many stories of battered women in this country for that matter, it is easy to understand how dreams of relief and freedom at removing their husbands from their lives drives them toward solutions. Especially solutions that are final. However, murdering someone, I have to think, even for those who 'get away with it' comes with a sentence of guilt that would bring neither relief nor freedom. I think we as fiction readers feel triumph and relief for the ladies who are now able to pursue their businesses and raise their children without fear of daily indignities, They are the 'good guys' and they won. Would a sequel validate the life-stealing bandits...we don't really want to know do we?

I think their circumstances are definitely shaping their concepts of being free. Abusive, demanding, drunk husbands tie them down and limit the abilities of the women to do better for themselves. The only way for them to be free and live their lives as they wish is to rid themselves of their husbands.

I also have been happily married for many decades; however, yes I can see how being a widow would be freeing. I could cook things I like, travel where I want and not have to compromise on how I want the house. Sounds selfish- but marriage is a constant compromise.

I don't think anyone enjoys an abusive relationship. It seems in this culture women don't have a choice - they are property of their husbands no matter what. So I would see it as freedom to be rid of a selfish, abusive husband.

In their world, they would be free if they were widowed. They have other women for support, and would be without their husbands abusing them.

I believe the women equate having their husbands permanently out of their lives as desirable for many reasons. However, I sense the real freedom that they long for is the freedom from the constant worry over the unpredictability of their husbands' moods/whims/willingness to control them and the very real fear for their own (and in the case of Farah, her children's) physical & mental well-being. As Farah found out, though, freedom from one brings other burdens, such as sole responsibility for providing the family income. They also still are not free from the limitations placed on widows in general by their society, caste, and religion.

Kimk said, in the beginning of her comment, exactly what I feel. There are days when, even at 81 with my 40th anniversary coming in a month, I fantasize about my old days of singlehood. But the things I miss are small transitory things not an entire life style change. But, I also agree with alycet's comment that my own income and social activities give me all the freedom I need. These women are searching for this and other freedoms--some of which they are already experiencing, but not greatly enough to prevent them from taking drastic measures to rid themselves of men who use them as punching bags--I'd surely want freedom from that and would most assuredly make every effort to get out.

For the women in violent and unhappy relationships, I can see how being widowed would represent a kind of freedom. Even though they will still be trapped by the way society pigeonholes them as women, if they gain some economic independence they can control more of their lives.

Yes, if I was in their situation I think I would. I am incredibly lucky to say I do not have to feel that way, I have my own career, money and independence and I am pretty much free to make my own life choices. I know in many countries women do not have that kind of freedom, and in some situations even here in America there are some women who are abused or feel undervalued that may feel like that.

These women had husbands who physically abused them, controlled everything about their lives, and who gave them no say in their own lives. It was acceptable in the culture in which they lived and there was no way to escape the husband’s control and abuse other than to have no husband. Divorce was not an option. Being widowed must have been very appealing to them since that seemed to be the only way to make their own choices. So that sure sounds like freedom to me. For me, I am able to make choices and decisions regarding my own life. Being married for many years, however, one realizes that many decisions affect both partners in the marriage and my husband and I make those decisions together.

This was one of the most interesting plots to the book in my opinion. I’ve study research on microlending and I loved how that was woven into the story and demonstrated as being both a benefit and yoke to women. Clearly, some men/husbands are awful, abusive and drinkers. Women having their own income can provide them freedom from their husbands, but not all borrowers are responsible business owners.

In this country women have many more opportunities to determine the paths our lives take. We are more free than the women of this book. They are subject to arranged marriage and must defer to their husband and his family.

They saw themselves as becoming free because they were out from under the horrible conditions of their marriages. Although I couldn't have done what they did to get out of those marriages, I definitely understand why they did it. They experienced battered woman syndrome to the nth degree.

For these women this did mean freedom. Freedom from a husband that abused them and a life style they did not want to live or be subjected to. Obviously that is not the way I would handle a situation like that. Divorce is not frowned upon in our society, so that would be a permanent way to separate from this violence instead of widowhood.