54 pages 1 hour read

Salman Rushdie

Shame

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1983

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Part 1, Chapters 1-3Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Escapes From the Mother Country”

Part 1, Chapter 1 Summary: “The Dumb Waiter”

Chunni, Munnee, and Bunny Shakil are three sisters who live in their family mansion in a remote town called Q. Their father, Mr. Shakil, keeps them sequestered from society and carefully controls their lives with a set of rules and beliefs that are primarily based in conservative Islam. Having no contact with the outside world, the sisters become incredibly close, and the narrative conveys an unconfirmed rumor that their affection may have crossed into incest. When Mr. Shakil dies, the sisters discover that he has squandered the family’s vast wealth. Facing a sudden wave of debtors at their door, the sisters, who are inexperienced in financial matters, sign away most of the family’s remaining assets. They promise to remain together no matter what and decide to throw a ball, sending out lavish invitations to the members of the high society in Q. However, they discover that they have insulted many people either by failing to invite everyone or by inviting British officials, who are regarded as imperialists. At the party, they serve alcohol and dance to Western music. One of the British guests impregnates one of the sisters. The three sisters hide this pregnancy from the world, not revealing which of them is pregnant.