Language

Style of language

The choice of words used in the short story “Stench of Kerosene” by Amrita Pritan mirrors the setting of the events and the characters’ backgrounds. For example, Hindu words such as “duppattas” (p. 1, l. 16), “mica” (p. 1, l. 16), “hookah” (p. 1, l. 27), “chillum” (p. 2, l. 5), “Rs. 500” (p. 4, l. 22) reveal that the events take place in India and give an authentic tone to the story. The references to villages and the harvest also reveal that the events take place in a rural environment. 

Dialogue is often used in the story and provides information related to Guleri and Manak’s relationship. 

‘I know what you are going to say: “I only go to my parents once a year!” well, you have never been stopped before.’

‘Then why do you want to stop me t...