Setting

Physical setting

The events presented in the short story “The Aliens” by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala are set in India. The main physical setting is the house that Peggy and Dev share with the mother-in-law, Suraj, Sarla, and their children. The house is a significant element of the setting, as the way in which it is built and decorated highlights important traits about the family. The house was built by Peggy’s late father-in-law, who got rich after developing his business. When Sarla’s children jump up and down on the furniture, Peggy feels uneasy: “she couldn’t bear to see good furniture treated that way” (ll. 282-283). The family’s detachment and carelessness bother Peggy, who is used to treating things nicely – and, implicitly, to not having much money. This suggests that the family, although rich, does not understand the value of things and that, for them, everything is replaceable. Eventually, the house comes to symbolize both wealth and carelessness, traits that also define its inhabitants.

Peggy and Dev’s bedroom is also mentioned. We notice that, although this is supposed to be their own private space where they can be alone, the family members constantly intrude on them. This points to the fact that Peggy has no privacy, and even her own possessions cannot be considered completely hers.

Sarla’s room is mentioned once. Peggy claims that she “didn’t like Sarla’s room, it was always so untidy and smelled of Sarla.” (ll. 499-500). Sarla’s room is presented as a messy place, in contrast with Peggy’s own room, which helps to highlight the differences between the two women.

Social setting

The s...