The theme of hurt in 'Clear Light of Day'

In the novel, Clear Light of Day, hurt is the underlying theme and issue everyone seems to revolve around yet try to hide or ignore. According to C. S. Lewis, "those who speak about one's miseries usually hurt, those who keep silence hurt more".

In this novel there is physical hurt as well as psychological hurt. These two differ in contrast. The psychological hurt is more detrimental to the human being than the physical, and goes through a longer process in healing. With hurt comes resentment, pain and bitterness towards the cause of pain, and even other innocent people. The protagonist, Bim is the sole victim of (psychological) hurt and so is seemingly bitter and is resentful towards her brother, Raja. However, she takes out this anger and frustration on other people who just happen to be in her 'line of fire'. Tara, also suffers from silent hurting, but not as explosive as Bim's. Along with the hurt, Tara feels guilt.

Almost every character in this novel had gotten their own dose of hurt: the Das mother, felt hurt when she had to have insulin injected into her blood daily; Bim when she was "betrayed" by Raja; Raja in the instance when his father ignored and refused to understand him and his requests, when he was ill and when the Hyder Alis had left without notice; Tara, when she could not fit in with her older siblings and was mocked and tricked; Aunt Mira felt hurt when her husband died, when she was mistreated and when everyone "abandoned" her.

Baba's place in 'Clear Light of Day'

Baba, the fourth and last child of the Das family, little brother to the protagonist, is a peculiar and estranged child when compared to his family. He, when born went from the object of amazement and attention to the object of disappointment and a burden to his parents, mainly his mother, who had to "suffer" by babysitting him and in turn missed her card games and going out. He wasn't a disappointment in physical terms, only how long his period of development took -in other, he was a "slow" baby.

With his classic white hair and smooth, pink-turned-pale complexion, Baba was set apart fom his entire family it seems in not only his complexion but his demeanor as well. He seemed to grow physically but mentally remained a child. If not for Aunt Mira's help, love and attention he might have been worse off than he was, (thus bringing disgrace to the Das family, especially the mother). ForAunt Mira is the one, who moved him from milk sops and spoon to small pieces of bread which she allowed him to put into his mouth himself, much to everyone's amazement. She taught him how to button his shirt and she and his siblings would congratulate him when he succeeded in this feat.

As he got older he still posed a problem with regards to speech. Only upon occassion would he utter a word or two, but never a complete sentence or phrase and could not be pressed to say more. Eventually his family seemed to accept him for who he was, and soon no longer noticed his silence, "his manner of communication seemed full and rich enough to them".

Playing with his collection of smooth worn pebbles was a personal delight to him it seems. It is possible that because this was the first game he learned to play he had grown an attachment to it. Aunt Mira had taught him this and even the game of marbles when he was a child so that he could learn to use his hands. He also, liked to listen to his records on the gramophone, for his own listening pleasure no doubt. However this same listening pleasure of his seemed to be an annoyance to everyone else in the household.

Baba can be said to be quiet, thoughtfully passive and curious. There was an instance when Baba actually ventured pass the walls of his home. Various sights he viewed at this time included the dirty, almost dry river, the dusty road, whose dust blinded him momentarily and few people and trees. After his little adventure he came to the conclusion that the world outside his home was a dangerous one indeed and very active. Although he did not have as many adventures as his older siblings nor was as active he seemed content to be left alone and enjoyed his own company; whilst Raja and Bim were the other's companion and Tara found company in Aunt Mira.