GCE A/L English Literature - Made Easy - Novel: The Waiting Earth - Summary, chapter by chapter

CHAPTER ONE

Brings to light the man's bitterness that rises against his wife Sellohamy for not giving birth to a proper son. "Bearing him a freak". "Other women bore strong sons as early as they conceived, but she had to bear him a useless piece of flesh." "His bitterness rose against Sellohamy.

He had treated her well. He had never come home drunk and demanding. One year now they had been married and never once had he raised his hand to her.

Yet, she had repaid his kindness by bearing him a freak. Inspite of his evil attitudes towards his wife she consented to prepare tea for him "I will pour you some tea" she said in a gentle voice" Podi Singho felt sorry for his wife and finally coming to the conclusion "the child was now reborn in heaven with a straight and beautiful new body."

CHAPTER TWO

Podi Singho's faith in superstition is clearly revealed in this chapter convincing himself that he's specially heard in heaven because of his son. Even his harvest proved fruitful. Male domination is clearly revealed in this chapter.

Sellohamy attending on her husband. "...rinsed his mouth with the hot water she had placed ready and cleaned his teeth with the charcoal she had powdered and kept for his use." "His tea strong and sweet and thick with sugar and milk all stirred together" while her own tea was plain with no milk and "she took her sugar the normal, frugal way licking it from the palm of her hand."

The weak qualities of Podi Singho is clearly portrayed in this chapter. His secret desire and ambition to own a piece of land, something belonging to him by birthright and Sellohamy not bringing "a bit of land as dowry."

Rapiel Appu's assumed power dominating the village folk "The jungles had become Rapiel Appu's domain and women were afraid to enter it after dark. The symbolic arrival of the second child, the little mango plant in the wall of the well and praying for a son "The son of Podi Singho will be the envy of all"

CHAPTER THREE

But it was a female. "He took one brief look at the child and then went out, his heart twisting in disappointment." However, the pretty face of the little girl enticed her father "see, see how she smiles now" cried Podi Singho delightedly. "She's not like either of us.

One day she'll leave her mark on the village." Podi Singho was encouraged by the baby girl's love and determined to "observe the New year with all rites and rituals performed in their correct order; for now there was happiness even if he had no son."

She is no usual child. She is bright and beautiful and they cannot see all this." As the wife and husband discussed the attitudes and views of the village folk and Sellohamy gets frightened and Podi Singho "stared critically at the child" and tried to be contented with the gift of a daughter "still he could not bear the thought that she may lose her daintiness and perhaps have teeth protruding like one or two women he had seen." Exploding of the fire crackers and the sound of the 'rabana' marked the dawn of the New year.

CHAPTER FOUR

Chapter four gives prominence to the little girl's quick laughter and enticing manners. "Her skin retained its fair colour." She's named Isabellahamy. Podi Singho's silent, proud and strong resentment "I am not a beggar to sell my child to fill my belly" and Podi Singho goes back to Mudalali's boutique to do his usual work.

The blunt approach of Mudalali suggesting Isabellahamy to marry his nephew when she grows up disturbs Podi Singho to extremes. The conflict between the husband and wife over rice and the dowry "Has your father left me rice fields as your dowry?"