Analysis

Here are the main features which will help you analyze the short story “The Aliens” by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. The story’s structure is traditional, with the events taking place in chronological order. There are also several tension points and foreshadowing elements that suggest the differences between Peggy and her husband’s family.

The main character is Peggy, an English woman who has moved to India with her husband, Dev. Other important characters are Peggy's sister-in-law Sarla and their mother-in-law, followed by Sarla’s husband, Suraj.

The events take place in India. The social setting explores communication between spouses, prejudice and cultural differences, family and class hierarchy, and gender roles.

The story is told by a third-person narrator, who is limited to Peggy's perspective. The narrator explores Peggy's thoughts and feelings, focusing on how the experience of living in India with her husband and his family affects her. 

The language is formal. The text is mostly written in the past tense, presenting events that have already happened. The choice of words is heavily connected to Peggy’s Indian experience, helping to create an authentic atmosphere.

A full analysis of the short story can be found in the following pages.