Six Days in Bombay Summary, Characters and Themes

Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi is a profound exploration of identity, relationships, and self-discovery set against the backdrop of colonial India.  The novel takes us through the life of Sona, a nurse at Wadia Hospital in Bombay, who finds herself caught between societal expectations, personal desires, and cultural limitations.

As she navigates complex relationships with her patients, colleagues, and friends, Sona struggles with her own identity as a half-caste Anglo-Indian woman.  The story explores themes of class, gender, and race while examining how Sona’s journey shapes her understanding of herself and the world around her. Through rich character development and deep emotional arcs, the novel also highlights the personal growth that comes from facing one’s own past and confronting unresolved feelings.

Summary

The story begins with Sona, a nurse at Wadia Hospital in Bombay, tending to Mira Novak, a renowned painter suffering from a miscarriage.  As Sona cares for Mira, the artist speaks in her delirium, revealing parts of her past that are clouded with sorrow, regret, and unspoken desires.

Sona learns about Mira’s complex relationship with her husband, Filip Bartos, and her tumultuous affair with Paolo, a man she deeply loved.  Despite her artistic success, Mira’s life is marked by profound emotional turmoil, something Sona observes with a mix of empathy and curiosity.

Sona, a half-caste Anglo-Indian woman, works tirelessly to support her ailing mother and create a better life for both of them.  Her life at the hospital is filled with interactions with various patients, such as Mrs.

Mehta and Mr.  Hassan, but it’s the deeply personal connection she forms with Mira that becomes the focal point of her emotional journey.

Mira’s artwork, depicting village women in serene, tranquil moments, resonates with Sona, sparking her interest in the contrast between the simplicity of Indian life and the complexities of European art.  Mira’s reflections on her paintings also lead Sona to examine her own life, relationships, and the choices that have shaped her.

At the hospital, Sona faces growing tensions with some of her colleagues, especially Rebecca, a nurse who seems to harbor resentment toward her, and the matron, who disapproves of Sona’s close emotional involvement with patients like Mira.  Despite her professionalism, Sona’s empathy for those around her, particularly Mira, often crosses the line into personal attachment, creating conflicts at work.

She also has a close friendship with Indira, another nurse who is trapped in an abusive marriage with her husband, Balbir.  Indira’s struggles highlight the patriarchal constraints of traditional Indian society, and though Sona wishes to help, she feels powerless against the ingrained gender dynamics at play.

The narrative delves into Sona’s complicated relationship with her mother, who sacrifices everything for Sona’s future.  Sona harbors bitterness toward her absent father but learns that he sent money over the years despite abandoning them.

This revelation forces Sona to confront the uncomfortable truths about her family and her father’s role in their lives.  Meanwhile, her interactions with Dr.

Mishra, a well-meaning but conflicted Indian doctor, suggest an unspoken attraction between them, though their relationship is burdened by cultural and social differences.

As the story progresses, Sona finds herself invited to a party hosted by Dev Singh, a wealthy man with connections to the British elite.  At the party, Sona feels alienated due to her mixed heritage and her modest upbringing.

Despite her mother’s attempt to empower her by sewing a dress for the occasion, Sona is acutely aware of the divide between her and the privileged guests around her.  This social discomfort reflects the broader theme of identity and societal expectations that runs through the narrative.

Sona’s internal struggle with her identity and place in society intensifies as she deals with the growing realization that her relationships—whether with Indira, Mira, or Dr.  Mishra—are all influenced by the boundaries of class, race, and gender.

She yearns for a life beyond the restrictions placed on her, but her circumstances seem to limit her choices.  As Sona contemplates her future, her journey becomes one of self-exploration and emotional growth.

In the final chapters, Sona’s past and present collide as she contemplates her future.  Her experiences at the hospital, her relationships with patients and friends, and the complex dynamics of colonial India force Sona to reassess her identity and her role in a society that is deeply divided along class and racial lines.

Her journey is one of reconciliation, as she comes to terms with the realities of her family history, her mixed heritage, and her unspoken desires.

Ultimately, Six Days in Bombay is a rich, character-driven story about self-discovery, societal limitations, and the ways in which relationships shape our understanding of who we are.  The novel’s portrayal of Sona’s emotional journey, as well as her evolving relationships with those around her, offers a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the pursuit of personal fulfillment.

Characters

Sona Falstaff

Sona is the central character in Six Days in Bombay, and her journey is a narrative of self-discovery, resilience, and emotional growth.  A nurse by profession, Sona is an intelligent, empathetic, and determined woman, constantly grappling with her mixed heritage as an Anglo-Indian.

She works tirelessly to support herself and her mother, revealing her strength and sense of responsibility.  Despite her professional success, Sona’s personal life is marked by complex emotions and unresolved conflicts.

Her relationship with her mother is one of mutual care and sacrifice, with her mother’s resilience as a constant source of inspiration.  However, Sona is also burdened by a deep sense of abandonment and anger toward her father, whose presence in her life has been minimal at best.

Her journey in the novel, both literal and emotional, allows her to confront her past, the complexities of her identity, and the relationships that have shaped her.  Through her interactions with others, particularly with Mira, Indira, and Dr.

Stoddard, Sona begins to examine her role in the world, her personal desires, and her place in the intricate web of social and familial expectations.  By the end of the story, Sona’s evolution is apparent, as she learns to embrace risks, confront her unresolved emotions, and navigate the challenges of being a woman in a society that imposes many restrictions on her.

Mira Novak

Mira Novak is a talented yet deeply troubled artist whose life and art are central to the story.  She is introduced through her interactions with Sona, who tends to Mira while she recovers from a miscarriage.

Mira’s identity as an artist is intricately linked to her emotional struggles, her turbulent relationships, and her inner longing for fulfillment.  Throughout the narrative, Mira is portrayed as passionate and deeply introspective, yet her actions often reveal contradictions that make her a complex character.

She is both independent and dependent, seeking freedom through her art while also entangling herself in difficult romantic relationships.  Mira’s marriage to Filip is marked by neglect, and her affair with Paolo, her mentor and lover, complicates her already fragile emotional state.

Mira’s inability to commit fully to love or to her own life choices becomes evident as the story unfolds.  As Sona uncovers the layers of Mira’s past, she learns that Mira’s seemingly liberated existence was actually filled with emotional turmoil and unresolved conflicts.

Mira’s artworks, which focus on serene moments of Indian life, are symbolic of her internal struggles, as they reflect a desire for peace and simplicity that she could never fully achieve in her personal life.  Mira’s legacy, particularly the paintings she leaves behind, becomes a key part of Sona’s own journey of understanding and self-reflection.

Indira

Indira, Sona’s close friend, represents the plight of women in a traditional Indian society where gender roles and patriarchal structures dominate.  Indira’s marriage to Balbir is abusive, and her struggles reflect the deep societal constraints placed on women.

Despite enduring mistreatment from her husband, Indira remains resigned to her fate, largely due to her belief in karma and the societal expectation that women should endure hardship silently.  Sona’s empathy for Indira is profound, but she is also frustrated by her friend’s inability to break free from the oppressive circumstances.

Indira’s character highlights the emotional and psychological toll that patriarchy takes on women, as she has internalized many of the beliefs that keep her in an abusive relationship.  However, her friendship with Sona also reveals moments of defiance and camaraderie, suggesting that even within the most limiting situations, women find ways to support one another and carve out moments of solidarity.

Indira’s character arc, while less central to the novel’s plot, underscores the larger themes of societal expectations, gender inequality, and the limited options available to women like her.

Dr. Stoddard

Dr. Stoddard is a British physician who plays a pivotal role in Sona’s journey of self-discovery.

Though he is not a central character, his influence on Sona is significant, as he serves as a mentor and father figure.  His guidance, particularly when it comes to embracing personal risks and seeking closure with her father, helps Sona grow emotionally.

Dr.  Stoddard’s character also sheds light on the intersection of colonial and personal dynamics, as he encourages Sona to confront not only her personal insecurities but also the societal expectations placed on her.

His own life, marked by a complex love story involving Deva, a woman of Indian descent, offers Sona a model of how to navigate the intersection of cultural identity, love, and societal constraints. 

Dr. Stoddard’s relationship with Sona evolves over the course of the novel, as he becomes a trusted confidant, helping her reflect on her identity and her relationships.  His support, particularly in encouraging her to reconcile with her father, contributes to Sona’s eventual sense of peace and understanding.

Filip Bartos

Filip Bartos, Mira’s husband, is a figure who represents the often-painful realities of marriage and personal failure.  His deep guilt over Mira’s death becomes central to his character’s development, especially as he reveals to Sona that he was the one who inadvertently administered the fatal overdose of morphine.

Filip’s character is portrayed as a man who is deeply flawed, but his remorse and sense of responsibility are palpable.  His relationship with Mira was marked by emotional distance, and his inability to connect with her on a deeper level contributed to the emotional isolation she felt.

Filip’s guilt and grief are tied to the broader themes of the novel, such as the consequences of neglect, the complexity of love, and the burden of unintentional harm.  Though Filip is not a major character in the narrative, his role in the story brings to light the darker side of relationships and the emotional weight that individuals carry when they fail to nurture those they love.

Paolo Puccini

Paolo Puccini is Mira’s former lover and a key figure in the exploration of Mira’s emotional and romantic life.  He is a talented artist who had a profound impact on Mira’s life, both as a mentor and a lover.

Their relationship, however, was fraught with complications, as Mira’s feelings for him were intertwined with her desire for independence and her internal struggles.  Paolo represents a part of Mira’s past that she could never fully escape, as their passionate connection reveals the depth of her vulnerability and emotional conflict.

Sona’s interactions with Paolo reveal the complexities of Mira’s relationships, and through her conversations with him, Sona begins to understand Mira’s contradictions more deeply.  Paolo’s character also introduces the theme of art as both a source of inspiration and a reflection of personal turmoil, as his own work and involvement with Mira reflect the tensions in her life.

Paolo is a figure of both admiration and frustration for Sona, as his perspective on Mira’s life offers her new insights into the woman she had once admired.

Themes

Identity and Self-Discovery

Sona’s journey is deeply rooted in the quest for personal identity and self-discovery.  As a half-caste Anglo-Indian woman, she constantly navigates the complexities of her mixed heritage, which shapes her interactions with both the Indian and European worlds.

Her position as a nurse in Bombay presents daily challenges, as she deals with patients, colleagues, and her family, all while wrestling with her own sense of belonging.  The tension between her desire to improve her life and the limitations imposed by her social class and gender is evident throughout her narrative.

Sona’s internal struggle highlights the broader societal issues of caste, race, and class in colonial India, where identity is often defined by external factors.  This search for self-actualization becomes more pronounced when Sona is exposed to Mira’s world, where artistic freedom and emotional vulnerability are in sharp contrast to Sona’s reserved and practical nature.

Through her encounters with various individuals, including Dr.  Stoddard, Indira, and Petra, Sona begins to embrace a sense of autonomy.

Her transformation from a cautious, duty-bound nurse to a woman who is willing to take risks and confront her past exemplifies her journey toward self-empowerment.  In the end, Sona’s experiences serve as a mirror to the challenges many individuals face when attempting to reconcile their past, heritage, and aspirations for the future.

Relationships and Emotional Complexity

The theme of relationships plays a crucial role in Six Days in Bombay, exploring not only the complexity of romantic and familial bonds but also the intricate dynamics that define human connections.  At the heart of the narrative is Sona’s evolving relationship with Mira, a patient who becomes both a confidante and a symbol of the emotional and artistic freedom that Sona yearns for.

Mira’s open vulnerability and emotional rawness contrast with Sona’s more restrained, practical outlook on life.  However, Sona is drawn to Mira’s ability to live without fear, and this attraction sparks deep reflection on her own life and relationships.

In the hospital setting, Sona’s bonds with her colleagues, such as Indira and Rebecca, underscore the larger themes of gender, power, and loyalty.  Indira’s struggles in an abusive marriage highlight the oppressive patriarchy that confines women in both personal and professional spheres.

Sona’s sympathy for Indira’s plight—though often tempered by her sense of helplessness—further complicates her views on what it means to be a woman navigating societal expectations.  Moreover, Sona’s interactions with the men she encounters, including Dr. Mishra and Edward Stoddard, reveal the complexities of attraction and the impact of societal divisions on romantic possibilities.  These relationships serve as a microcosm for the challenges that individuals, particularly women, face when trying to find meaningful connections in a world marked by rigid social structures.

Colonialism and Class Divide

A significant theme throughout Six Days in Bombay is the exploration of colonialism and the stark class divides that permeate both the social and professional spheres.  Sona’s work at the hospital brings her into contact with a range of patients, from the wealthy and influential to the struggling lower class.

The tension between these classes is palpable, especially in Sona’s interactions with her colleagues and patients.  The hospital, though seemingly a place of healing, is not immune to the prejudices and power dynamics that reflect the larger colonial society.

The interactions between Sona and Mira, for instance, highlight the differences in their social positions—Mira, a talented European artist, is afforded privileges that Sona, as an Indian woman, will never have.  Sona’s own mixed heritage places her in a liminal space, where she is neither fully accepted by the European nor the Indian communities.

This divide is also seen in her experience at the social gathering hosted by Dev Singh, where her discomfort underscores the limitations imposed on her by both her background and her gender.  These moments in the narrative illustrate how the legacy of colonialism continues to shape individuals’ lives, perpetuating inequality and limiting personal freedom, even in a post-colonial world.

Gender and Patriarchy

The theme of gender and patriarchy is intricately woven throughout Six Days in Bombay, particularly through the lives of the women Sona encounters.  Sona’s own experiences as a nurse and a daughter reflect the deeply ingrained gender roles in Indian society, where women are expected to be self-sacrificing and obedient, often at the expense of their own desires and ambitions.

Sona’s personal life is overshadowed by her complicated relationship with her mother and the influence of patriarchal values that continue to dictate their lives.  The characters of Indira and Mira further underscore this theme.

Indira’s submission to her abusive husband, despite her inner turmoil, illustrates the powerlessness many women feel in abusive marriages, a consequence of both social and religious conditioning.  Mira’s life, on the other hand, exemplifies the tension between artistic freedom and societal expectations, as she seeks to break free from the constraints of her marriage and cultural background.

The emotional cost of Mira’s defiance—her broken relationships, miscarriage, and eventual death—reflects the harsh realities that women face when they challenge patriarchal norms.  Through Sona’s reflections on these women’s lives, the novel critiques the societal structures that limit women’s autonomy and freedom, calling attention to the ways in which patriarchy constrains women, even in seemingly progressive contexts.

Family and Legacy

Family, both biological and chosen, is a recurring theme in the novel, shaping the decisions and emotional lives of the characters.  Sona’s relationship with her mother is a complex one, defined by both sacrifice and emotional distance.

Her mother’s unwavering dedication to Sona’s future contrasts with the bitterness Sona feels towards her absent father, whose abandonment has left deep scars.  As Sona uncovers the truth about her father’s financial support despite his physical absence, she is forced to confront the uncomfortable realities of her family’s past and the emotional complexities of forgiveness.

This revelation becomes a pivotal moment in Sona’s journey, as she comes to terms with the contradictions in her feelings towards her father.  Similarly, the relationships between Mira and her family, particularly her husband Filip, reveal the ways in which family dynamics shape the individual.

Mira’s inability to sustain her marriage, despite the financial support and social standing it offers, highlights the deep emotional void that persists despite outward appearances of success.  The idea of legacy also plays a significant role, as Sona carries the emotional and cultural burdens of her heritage while simultaneously striving to forge her own path.

The journey through various European cities, where Sona interacts with people who are tied to Mira’s past, serves as a process of emotional reconciliation, allowing Sona to understand not just Mira’s legacy, but her own.