Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Mother severely injures daughter!

When I read this story, I was immediately reminded of a book that some of us were required to read in 6th grade, Catherine called Birdy. Catherine was arranged to be married to a fat, rich slob, but she did not want to. Her parents didn't injure her severely but they were very disappointed. I see a great similarity with Raha and Catherine; they're both very independent and want to make choose their own spouses.

What really intrigues me is the mother's reaction to Raha's refusal to wed the man they picked out. (Rahid?) She decides to do severe bodily harm to her daughter, possibly in an attempt to convince her to wed Rahid. She goes into her room and then beats Raha with a stick until she has broken bones, a bloody nose and she is crumpled on the floor. Then the mother picks Raha up by her hair, drops her and repeats to give her even more pain. I think that the mother was hurt more than she was angry because of the way Raha just flat out refused the opportunity that she gave her. It is partially Raha's fault because she is supposed to obey her parents and willingly give herself up to the suitor that they allow for her.

However it is mostly the mother's fault because of the overreaction to Raha's refusal. Most of the mother's anger probably comes from all of the time and energy that she put into giving Raha what she wants and making her beautiful. I think that the mother had a good right to be angry, but she had no reason to severely injure her daughter.