What does Taufiq Rafat want to signify through the blame on the girl as “a pot-licking wench”?
Taufiq Rafat is a Pakistani poet who wrote in English and drew inspiration from the culture, history, and folklore of his region. In his poem "Wedding in the Flood", he narrates the story of a rural marriage that ends tragically due to a flood. The poem has four different personas who give their perspectives on the event, along with the omniscient narrator. The personas correspond to the four classic elements of Eastern symbology: earth, air, water, and fire. In this essay, I will explore the significance of Taufiq Rafat's use of the derogatory phrase "a pot-licking wench" in the poem "Wedding in the Flood". I will analyze how this term reflects the groom's contempt and resentment towards the bride, as well as the broader themes of social inequality and the patriarchal system depicted in the poem. I will also examine the contrasting perspectives of the groom and the bride, and how their relationship encapsulates the power dynamics and unfair treatment of women in Pakistani society. I will also reflect on the impact of this language and its implications for the characters' identities, their understanding of love and marriage, and the overall message conveyed by the poem.
The phrase "a pot-licking wench" is a derogatory and insulting way of referring to a woman who is poor, greedy and servile. It implies that she has no dignity, taste or value, and that she only cares about satisfying her hunger by licking the pots after cooking or eating. The groom's brother uses this term to show his disdain and anger for the bride, whom he considers unworthy of his brother's marriage. He thinks that his brother has made a foolish and shameful decision by marrying a girl who is below his status, wealth and reputation. He also thinks that his brother has betrayed him by not consulting him or taking his advice on such an important matter. He says:
He never asked me.
It was my luck to get
A pot-licking wench.
(Rafat, 1985, p. 134)
His voice reveals his contempt and resentment for the bride, as well as his arrogance and selfishness. He does not respect or empathize with her feelings or situation, but only judges her by her appearance, background and dowry. He also does not respect or support his brother's choice, but imposes his own opinion and will on him. He shows his attachment and pride for his money and status, which he considers more important than love or happiness.
This term also relates to the broader themes of social inequality and the patriarchal system depicted in the poem. The poet shows how women are often treated as commodities and objects of exchange, rather than as human beings with dignity and rights. The bride is given away by her father as part of a dowry, which consists of three items: a cow, a quilt and a brass pot. These items symbolize her identity and security, but they are also seen as inadequate and insignificant by the groom's family. The bride has no voice or agency in her own marriage, but she is subjected to the whims and wishes of her father and husband. She is also vulnerable to the natural disasters and dangers that threaten her life and happiness. The poet exposes the hypocrisy and cruelty of the patriarchal system, where men can exploit and abuse women without any consequences or remorse. The groom's brother does not care about the bride's fate, but only about his own loss and anger. He blames her for the misfortune and danger that they face due to the flood, and wishes that he could get rid of her. He also contrasts her with his previous lover, whom he describes as having "slim fingers gripping the palankeen's side" (Rafat, 1985, p. 135). He shows his preference and admiration for a woman who is more beautiful, graceful and wealthy than the bride, but who is also more submissive and obedient to him. He does not value the bride as a person, but as a burden and a liability.
This term also impacts the characters' identities, their understanding of love and marriage, and the overall message conveyed by the poem. The term affects the bride's identity by degrading and humiliating her, and by making her feel unwelcome and unwanted in her new family. She does not understand why the groom's brother hates her so much, and only hopes for his kindness and protection. She says:
Why does he hate me so?
I have done him no wrong.
Perhaps he will be kinder
When we reach home.
(Rafat, 1985, p. 135)
Her voice reveals her innocence and fear in facing the flood, as well as her loneliness and isolation in the dark and wet palankeen. She does not have any familiar face or comfort around her, except for her dowry items, which she clings to as a reminder of her past and a hope for her future. She does not deserve to be called "a pot-licking wench", but rather a victim of a cruel and unfair fate.
The term also affects the groom's understanding of love and marriage, by contrasting his attitude and emotion towards the bride with his brother's. The groom loves the bride for who she is, not for what she has. He sees her beauty, grace and charm in her "slim fingers gripping the palankeen's side" and her "hennaed hands". He does not care about her poverty, class or family, but only about her heart and soul. He says:
I like the look of her
Hennaed hands.
She is my wife
And I am proud of her.
(Rafat, 1985, p. 135)
His voice reveals his love, compassion and pride for his wife, as well as his defiance and courage in facing his brother's criticism. He does not listen to his brother's advice, but follows his own feelings and instincts. He shows his understanding and appreciation of love and marriage as a source of happiness and joy, rather than a source of money and status.
The term also conveys the overall message of the poem, which is to show how love can transcend the barriers of wealth, status and tradition, but also how it can be a source of conflict and tragedy. The poet shows how love can bring happiness and joy to people who are otherwise oppressed and miserable, such as the bride and the groom. He also shows how love can cause anger and resentment in people who are otherwise privileged and powerful, such as the groom's brother. He also shows how love can be destroyed by external factors such as family pressure, social norms and natural disasters, such as the flood that sweeps away the wedding party and drowns them. The poet uses this term to convey his vision, purpose and style as a poet who celebrates his indigenous roots, but also criticizes his social realities. He uses this term to challenge the patriarchal and feudal system that dominates rural Pakistan, and to advocate for a more humane and egalitarian society that respects women's dignity and rights. He uses this term to contrast the different perspectives and values of the characters, and to highlight the complexity and diversity of the Pakistani culture and society. He uses this term to create a vivid and tragic picture of the Pakistani landscape, culture and society in his poem "Wedding in the Flood".
In conclusion, Taufiq Rafat wants to signify the contempt and resentment that the groom's brother feels towards the bride as "a pot-licking wench" in the poem "Wedding in the Flood". He uses this term to reflect the groom's brother's character and worldview, as well as the broader themes of social inequality and the patriarchal system depicted in the poem. He also uses this term to examine the contrasting perspectives of the groom and the bride, and how their relationship encapsulates the power dynamics and unfair treatment of women in Pakistani society. He also uses this term to reflect on the impact of this language and its implications for the characters' identities, their understanding of love and marriage, and the overall message conveyed by the poem. He uses this term to convey his vision, purpose and style as a poet who celebrates his indigenous roots, but also criticizes his social realities.
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