Analysis Of The Novel 'Sevasadan'

If there is one author which is responsible for bringing realism in Indian fiction back in the early twentieth century, he is Premchand. Before him, almost every Indian fiction encompassed stories about Gods and mythological tales. Premchand’s stories were a true reflection of the society where the abused like the peasants, the farmers, the prostitutes and the widows were crushed all their lives by the hollow norms and rules of the society where the riches and politically powerful ruled. His stories depicted their exploitation and I, as a reader could feel that – such is the ability of his writing skills. He also wrote these stories and novels aiming to bring about social reform in the society.
The plot of ‘Sevasadan’ is set in Varanasi, which

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, Varanasi (then known as Benaras) was one of the most famous cities of the subcontinent and the city’s courtesans exercised social power and they also played important roles in most of the public occasions. The courtesans easily swayed over all the rich and powerful men who would swarm around them each night during their song and dance performances. At the same time, being a courtesan in those days was highly frowned upon and considered to have sunk to the lowest low. Even their siblings and other family members faced discrimination and no one would ever marry them because of their association to the courtesan. Premchand exposed the double face of society and their leaders through ‘Sevasadan’.
The story starts with the protagonist, Suman, who belonged to a well-to-do Brahmin home in the rural district. She was brought up in a household where all her wishes and whims were fulfilled. Her father was an honest police officer. Due to hefty dowry demands, he finds himself unable to marry off

At the same time, she observes that the courtesans who entered the park were treated politely and with respect. Meanwhile, Gajadhar had started doubting the loyalty of Suman for spending time wandering outside and dissatisfied with her duties as a wife, expels her from the home. Nowhere to go, she manages to survive on roads for some days and then she sees Bholi performing at Padamsingh’s house, as a part of Holi festivities and who was celebrating his election as a member of Municipal Council, brings a wave of dissatisfaction in her mind. She compares her married life to prostitution and finds that prostitution seems to offer the woman a relatively greater freedom and financial capabilities. This is highlighted in following lines: “Suman sat there for a long time deliberating over the cause and effect of these things. In the end, she concluded—she is free; there are shackles on my feet. Her warehouse is open, that’s why there is a crowd of customers; mine is closed, that’s why no one is standing in line. She doesn’t care whether or not the dogs bark about her, but I am afraid of what people will say and think. She can go outside of the purdah, while I am cloistered in it. She can swing freely on branches, while I have to hang on