Sketch the character of Jamila. 

Answer

Sketch the character of Jamila. 

Jamila is one of the most essential characters in the Novel “Tree Without Roots” (1967) by Syed Waliullah (1922-1971). She is the second wife of the protagonist character, Majeed. Her natural strength of personality is the proper antidote to Majeed’s absolute power regarding the religious affairs of the whole population of Mahabbatpur. She is the Rebel character in the Novel “Tree Without Roots.”

Young and Intellegent Woman: Jamila is the second wife of Majeed. She is very young but intelligent. Majeed marries her to satisfy the thirst of his raging libido and to have children with her. At first sight, Jamila appears as an adolescent girl with a very soft body and is scared, but the novel’s events prove that she is different from how she appears.  The interesting thing is Jamila thought of Majeed and her 1st wife as her bridegroom’s father and mother, but the scenario is different. Her poor father was bound to hand Jamila to Majeed without any word. Jamila seems to be soft and adolescent during her marriage. She treats Rahima as her mother. 

Victim of the Society: Jamila is one of the victims of society. She is prey to the non-equivalent marriage customs of society. She is the daughter of a penniless father who has to hand his daughter over to Majeed as soon as Majeed wills to marry her. Coming to Majeed’s household, Jamila identifies herself with a rat ensnared in a trap. She smiles unmindfully while weaving the mat with Rahima, for she took Majeed and Rahima for the bridegroom’s father and mother, respectively. This smile signals the reader the storm of a rebellion in the making.

Indifferent to Religion: Jamila is not religious like other characters. She is indifferent to religion. She does not say her daily prayers even after the stern orders from Majeed’s corner. When she is made to sit on the mat for prayer, she falls asleep on the mat. When there is an event of zikir chanting around the shrine, Jamila leaves the house