In Bharati’s Mukherjee’s “The Management of Grief”, the unfortunate event of the explosion, causing the downed plane, symbolizes the difficulties of moving forward from grief, and the uncertainty of the future, expressed through the third person view of Shaila Bhave. The bombing of Air India Flight 182, affected many people and families, whom where not prepared for such a horrific event.
Through Mukherjee’s work she expresses the symbolization of the tragedy, as it had a great affect on the families of the victims. Shaila Bhave had lost a great part of her family, her husband Vikram Bhave, and her two sons Vinod and Mithun Bhave. Shaila is a soft spoken, strong hearted women whom eventually comes to the terms of accepting the plain bombing and the fact she will never see her lost family members again. Tragedy more times then others is an unexpected occurrence, and when it strikes, theirs no way to avoid the difficulties that follow after. Shaila being the strong-hearted person she is express, “I tell myself I have no right to grieve. They are in a better place than we are. My swami says depression is a sign of our selfishness (Mukherjee 109)”. She is dealing with the process of moving forward from grief, though it’s a difficult process, she states remaining depressed and sad is the incorrect thing to do. Remaining bold and strong should be the process taken when dealing with grief. Although many peoples process’s taken with grief are different, there are many difficulties when attempting to move forward from grief. While a government appointed official learns of the way Shaila had been managing the grieving process, she comes to her and asks for assistance to reach out to other families whom have dealt with the tragedy in a different manner. Upon visiting an elderly couple that has lost their two sons in the crash, it becomes apparent to Shaila that they have not accepted the fact of the loss of their beloved children. She attempts to get thorough to them expressing that “the government wishes to give money (Mukherjee 116)”. This elderly couple has gone about grieving in a completely different manner, believing that “God will provide, not the government” “When our boys return, the mother says (Mukherjee 116)”. They chose to remain dependent on their sons, as they have not accepted the fact of their loss through unexpected tragedy.
The plain coming down in comparison also symbolizes the uncertainty of the future through the third person view of Shaila Bhave. Though she has dealt with the management of grieving in an open minded, strong-hearted manner, she still remains uncertain of what the future has in store. “I am trapped between two modes of knowledge. At thirty-six, I am too old to start over and too young to give up. Like my husband’s spirit, I flutter between worlds (Mukherjee 112)”. Shaila doesn’t want to let go of the memory of her lost family members, but doesn’t want to remain trapped, reminiscing on the tragedy that took place, ultimately changing her outlook on the future.
The Air India Flight 182 could have held much different symbolization towards the affectedness on people’s perspective of tragedy, but the symbols in the downed plain, which boldly stood out the most, were the difficulties of moving forward from grief, and the uncertainty of the future.
The Voices Of A Storm 
Joe,
Once I began reading your post, I noticed that we recognized the same symbolism in the short story Management Grief. Your thesis statement is strong for it clearly identifies how the downed plane and explosion symbolize the difficulty a person may experience as they go through the grieving process after a loved one has died. There are many times in the text where the connection of grieving and those symbols are made. One example I would specifically like to comment on is when you state: “Shaila being the strong-hearted person she is express, “I tell myself I have no right to grieve. They are in a better place than we are. My swami says depression is a sign of our selfishness (Mukherjee 109)”. She is dealing with the process of moving forward from grief, though it’s a difficult process, she states remaining depressed and sad is the incorrect thing to do.”
I agree 100% with your analysis to this quote for grieving is a difficult process and it is something that all people experience at some point in their life. The sad yet true reality of life is everyone is born and everyone eventually dies. However, when a loved one is lost, it is okay to mourn as long as grieving does not consume a person’s life because “depression is a sign of our selfishness”. Mourning is a process of remembering that person and keeping the memories in your heart and mind. As a person does this, they need to make sure they do not let grieving eat their entire life away.
Since we share the same interpretation of this text, I wonder, have you ever been in a situation where you have let a death affect every day of your life for a long period of time? Also, have you ever watched a friend mourn over a tragic death for quite some time? I have and my friend is still mourning over the same death 4 months later as she posts Facebook posts and pictures about how much she misses her lost loved one once a day. Your thesis and quotes have helped me realize that friends and family who struggle letting go of a death hold on to that person because without them they are uncertain with what their future will hold. Being confused and lost makes the grieving process for this person much more difficult. Consequently, understanding the connection between uncertainty and mourning for too long is key because the deep depression a person experiences affects who they are and the accomplishments they wish to make during their life.
Best,
Sam
Joe, with your post you definitely opened my eyes to another possibility of what the author could have been trying to convey about the management of grief. You pointed out an interesting tension between letting go and doing what is seemed to be best for someone dealing with death, and holding on which is the opposite. Although this is common and obeying of Indian tradition can be seen as unrealistic and unhealthy. One thing I will mention is that i think you could have provided more detail on your idea of symbolism. What about plane crash symbolizes uncertainty?
Joe,
Your thesis has great intention. I had to read it a few times before really understanding it. I would suggest using less world and really focusing on one specific idea. This would make you work a lot easier,as well for the reader. I enjoyed that you captured the idea of symbolization and it is clear throughout your essay. Again my only suggestion would be to really condensing your thesis to a statement in which you goal is clear. Thank you.