The major theme of the play 'Broken Images' is :

Question

Accepted Answer

The major theme of the play 'Broken Images' is sibling rivalry and intellectual inferiority because the play revolves around Manjula, a successful Hindi novelist, and her physically challenged sister, Malini. Manjula's success and intellectual achievements are constantly contrasted with Malini's perceived limitations. The play explores the complex emotions of jealousy, resentment, and guilt that arise between the sisters due to this disparity. Manjula's internal conflict, fueled by her success and the perceived shadow cast by Malini, highlights the theme of sibling rivalry and the feeling of intellectual inferiority that Manjula projects onto Malini, and perhaps feels herself in some ways. The entire narrative is driven by the tension created by this dynamic.

Here's why the other options are incorrect:

*   **Option 1: Sisterhood:** While the play features two sisters, the relationship is far from a simple portrayal of sisterhood. The play delves into the darker aspects of sibling relationships, focusing on rivalry and resentment rather than unconditional love and support. The complexities and negative emotions overshadow any idealized notion of sisterhood.

*   **Option 2: Marital relationship:** Although Manjula is married, her marital relationship is not the central focus of the play. It serves more as a backdrop to the primary conflict between the sisters and Manjula's internal struggles. The marital relationship is secondary to the exploration of sibling dynamics and intellectual insecurities.

*   **Option 4: The novelist:** While Manjula being a novelist is a crucial element of the plot, the play isn't *primarily* about the novelist's life or profession in general. Her profession is a catalyst for the sibling rivalry and the exploration of intellectual superiority/inferiority, but the core theme remains the complex relationship between the sisters and the insecurities it generates. The play uses the novelist's success to highlight the contrast with her sister and to explore the themes of jealousy and resentment.