"The tape peels off easily, and from a sandwich of protective cardboard she extracts a beautiful
small picture, a Rajput painting, an original. The scene, blocked out in blues and greens,
portrays a woman in a long dress standing in a walled garden. Surrounded by peacocks and a
gazelle, adorned with elaborate gold jewelry, she is evidently not plagued by any material
worries or worldly concerns. Leafy branches arch protectively over her head, and the
grass beneath her feet is a wide green carpet." (The Silent Wife, page 15)
In reading The Silent Wife, I was struck with the imagery of the gifted Rajput painting, from
Todd to Jodi; from the implied symbolism of the scene. But what is a Rajput painting?
The images above and below represents the Rajput painting style, a beautiful style
of Indian painting, an art form that originated in the 18th century in the Royal Courts
of Rajputs (Rajputna), India.
In what other ways did the author use symbolism in The Silent Wife?
Come join the discussion next week on November 2.
18th Century Beauties!