What's Up With Arranged Marriages?

Arranged marriages have always been quite interesting to me. The first time I heard about this topic, I had a hard time believing that these marriages truly exist. The thought of two people being legally wed-without their own consent- kind of threw me for a loop. I didn't understand how it is possible to love someone that you're unwillingly attached to.

When I hear the word "marriage," the first thing I think about is true love. Very often, we hear the phrase, "the one," in reference to the special someone whom we envision ourselves marrying. Because I always believed that an individual finds their own soul mate, I always wondered if couples in arranged marriages believe that their spouse is, indeed, "the one." A more modern-day example of an "arranged" marriage could be an ultimately successful blind-date. Watch "A Wedding Story" on TLC. Many of the couples allude to the fact that they met their spouse on a blind-date arranged by their friends, and the end result is a happy and beautiful wedding. Arranged marriages are even successful; for I have a friend who's parents had an arranged marriage. Thirty years later, her parents are more in love than ever. Although a blind-date is not a tradition of certain religions or cultures, it still involves two strangers, who are absent in the process of selecting their future spouse.

True, positive results can come from arranged marriages; however, there are some negative cases. For instance, observe Sanjeev and Twinkle's marriage. Clearly, the two disagree on a majority of things: music selection, cleanliness, organization, and the "collection of Christian paraphernalia" (Lahiri 137). A large percentage of "This Blessed House" revolves around Sanjeev's dismay and disapproval of Twinkle's way of functioning. Sanjeev's desire to be in control of everything creates the impression of an unhealthy relationship. I was so tired of him ordering Twinkle around just because. It is not until page 156 that Sanjeev conveys some sort of love "pang" (156) for his wife. I just find it so strange that he suddenly begins to drift back in love with Twinkle, only moments after imagining how "he could snap the ladder back on its spring into the ceiling, and they would have no way of getting down unless he were to pull the chain and let them" (155). One minute, he considers trapping his wife in the attic, along with the guest, and the next minute, he claims to experience, "the same pang he used to feel before they were married" (156). I feel like this relationship is doomed unless Sanjeev transforms into a less-demanding and more free-spirited person. Because the Twinkle and Sanjeev had no opportunity to select a mate whom they felt they were compatible with, they are forced to stay in the situation they're already in- one involving infinite differences.