Set against a rural backdrop, ‘Stench of kerosene’ is the story of a couple, Guleri and Manak, who have been happily married for several years but do not have a child. Manak’s mother is desperate to have a grandchild to carry on the family name. Hence, she gets Manak remarried in Guleri’s absence. Manak, who acts as a reluctant but passive spectator, is meanwhile, informed by a friend that Guleri, on hearing about her husband’s second marriage, poured kerosene on her clothes and set fire to them. Manak is heartbroken and begins to live as if he were a dead man. When his second wife delivers a son, Mauak stares at the child for a long time and blurts out, ‘Take him away! He stinks of kerosene.’

Correct Option (d)

The narrative primarily illustrates the profound influence of a patriarchal mindset. Manak's mother, driven by the societal imperative to perpetuate the family name through a male heir, compels her son into a second marriage. This action, a direct consequence of patriarchal values, leads to Guleri's tragic suicide and Manak's subsequent emotional devastation. The story critiques how such societal pressures can override individual happiness and well-being.

Incorrect Options:

This option is incorrect. While elements of male dominance might be inferred within a patriarchal structure, the story does not explicitly focus on male chauvinism as its primary theme. Furthermore, Manak's actions are depicted more as a passive submission to familial and societal pressure rather than an act of infidelity driven by personal desire.

This option is incorrect. While the story involves the disruption of a loving relationship and a form of betrayal (Manak's remarriage), its core focus extends beyond individual emotions of love and betrayal. The narrative delves into the broader societal pressures, specifically the patriarchal demand for an heir, which instigates these personal tragedies.

This option is incorrect. The story does not address the absence or inadequacy of legal safeguards for women. Instead, it underscores the devastating impact of entrenched cultural and social norms, particularly those rooted in patriarchy, on the lives of individuals, leading to tragic outcomes like Guleri's suicide.