Inkaar

One of the major themes of this novel includes the feeling of rejection. We first see Zakir being rejected by Sabirah. Later we see Zakir being rejected by Anisa when he tries to involve into a less emotional and a more physical relationship with her. The first setting of this rejection scene is very different from the second rejection scene of Zakir and Anisa. There is a lot of tension presented in the first rejection scene through the movement of vehicles. The noise of engine and the sudden disappearance of engines into the forest symbolized the emptiness of a definite verbal rejection. There is a strong desire to get on one the trains to Dehli. While, on the other hand, in the second rejection scene involving Zakir and Anisa both are already in a vehicle and the opportunity is more vividly present.

The first rejection scene is less verbally interactive than the second rejection scene due to which the level of tension is very low. However, due to the absence of verbal rejection the desire to be together is a lot higher in comparison to the second scene. The comfort level between Zakir and Sabirah is not as high as between Zakir and Anisa due to the presence of physical interaction. Hussain has provided this contrast in the setting of these two scenes in order to show how partition developed some very different qualities with in Zakir. Now, his confidence level is a lot higher while his emotional attachment is quite low. The displacement partition caused in Zakir’s life is also depicted very ironically. He can now afford a vehicle and he is more confident about the opportunities that come with this vehicle. However, he did not have the courage before to re-enforce his desire to marry Sabirah by asking her for an answer. Hence, in past, he could only afford to see the vehicles and the opportunities attached with them, to pass by him.