Introduction : A young couple , Marco and Rosie, arrived at Malgudi (Rosie came one day after Marco's arrival) and started boarding at Anand Bhavan Hotel which was properly arranged by Raju the tourist guide. From the behaviour of this couple and the description of Raju we get a realistic picture of husband-wife relationship adeptly maintained by Marco, the research scholar and his highly qualified ( M.A. in Economics) wife Rosie.
Husband - Wife Relationship : Marriage is an institution that helps to establish the husband-wife relationship. A young man and such a woman start their conjugal life through marriage which is generally performed amidst incantation, rites, blessings and benediction of the priests, superiors and other well-wishers. The Sanskrit Mantra " Jadidang Hridyang Taba, Tadastu Hridayang Mama" (the heart of the groom and that of the bride become one) is distinctly uttered by both bride and groom. In the midst of the marriage troop it is a sort of promise that would maintain and strengthen the husband-wife relationship like the everlasting one. Different marriage rites are prevalent in different community throughout the world and it is the old traditional arrangement.
Come to the point and concentrate on a Newspaper advertisement : "Wanted an educated, good-looking girl to marry a rich bachelor of academic interests. No cast restrictions ; good looks and university degree essential." This was Marco's advertisement and Rosie was not ready to miss the chance. What happened is in Rosie's words : "Well, we met, he examined me and my certificate,we went to a registrar and got married." No congregation was found, no conch was blown, no incantation was uttered, no blessing was showered. The best relationship in the life of Marco and Rosie started through a commercial instrument and a professional individual.God knows how smooth would this relationship run and how long it would exist. It is indeed a legally established marriage and this wed-lock has tied Marco and Rosie in the husband-wife relationship.
Relationship is a sentiment and it is to be maintained properly. Social code of conduct and the existing laws of the land may monitor a relationship, may control it to a little extent but can not maintain it, can not develop it. It is the temperament and the characteristics of both the parties that maintain a relationship properly and bring healthy development. When the mentality, taste and activity of two persons become similar to a certain extent a relationship is developed.Quite naturally, the taste and temperament of Marco and Rosie contribute much in the husband-wife relationship between them. Let us throw some light on this matter.
Marco is a highly qualified person and now he is engaged in his research work of cave painting in the Malgudi area. Some odd behaviour and eccentricity are the elements of Marco's character. Only the research work, no other thing is important to him. He is a very methodical man who maintains the punctuality and observes the discipline in every step of life. The problem is that he is blunt to the finer feelings and emotional appeal of others, particularly of his wife Rosie who is considered as a living domestic machine to him. Rosie,his wife hails from 'a family traditionally dedicated to the temple as dancers', but she is unconventional and unorthodox. Rosie is educated, beautiful and to some extent modernized. What is more, she is sexually fascinating and she does not care for the norms of loyalty and chastity. These two types of individuality can not be well-matched.
That the husband-wife relationship between Marco and Rosie is very much loose is marked at the very moment of their arrival and it is clear from some words of Raju : " Her arrival had been a sort of surprise for me . The man was the first to appear. I had put him up at the Anand Bhavan Hotel. After a day of sightseeing he suddenly said one afternoon, 'I must meet the Madras train. Another person is coming'. " Marco's arrival without Rosie and the delayed arrival of Rosie may be due to some unavoidable circumstances,but Marco's mention of his wife Rosie as 'another person' is not normal. Some bitterness in the husband and wife relationship is exposed from such utterance.
The meaning of the relationship in which the parties are involved must be known first by both of them and then they should realize it properly. This is enough for the smooth development. A good relationship must grow imperceptibly. The true meaning of wife is not clear to Marco who wants such a woman as his wife who would take care of his household and would help him in his academic career, in every matter of life and would support him both mentally and physically. Marco provides all sort of comforts, money and ornaments. He allows Rosie to move freely but within a protected area. Rosie seems to be a free lady, though she is dealt with a very conservative way. Rosie is destined to be a gifted dancer, but Marco,in no way, would allow her to take part in any dance. Like a caged bird Rosie would have to live with broken wings. She may jump and hop, but would not be allowed to open the wings. If she tried to cross the boundary, her wings would be clipped again. Such a relationship can not be called sound and healthy.
