Midnight’s Children: Book 2: Jamila Singer Summary & Analysis

Living in Karachi in his aunt Alia’s home, Saleem’s clear nose and sinuses are now able to smell emotions. He smells Alia’s hypocrisy and jealousy, despite her outward pleasantness. Alia has never forgiven Ahmed or Amina for their deception, and she is unable to hide her true feelings from Saleem, who now has “the powers of sniffing-out-the-truth.”

In his new city, Saleem cannot “forgive Karachi for not being Bombay.” He misses his city, and this one feels “hopeless,” having “grown too fast.” Aunt Alia’s house is in the “accusing shadow” of a minaret, and to Saleem, everything about the Muslim Pakistan screams “submission,” a stark contrast to the “nonconformity of Bombay.”

Soon after arriving in Karachi, Ahmed declares that the Sinais will now be new people. He decides to build a new home, an “American-style modern bungalow,” and purchases a plot of land. He consecrates the new land with Saleem’s umbilical cord and brine (preserved in a pickle-jar). Despite Ahmed’s optimism, Saleem discovers that he has entered Pakistan from the wrong direction. Successful conquests to Pakistan have long since begun in the north, but Saleem has entered the country from the south-east.

Ahmed and Amina continue to finally enjoy a good marriage. Ahmed’s loins have begun to thaw, and the two spend much time together. Ahmed opens a new business manufacturing and selling towels, which he names “Amina Brand.” Together, they hope to “make the whole world clean and dry.”

Major (Retired) Alauddin Latif arrives at aunt Alia’s to hear Jamila sing. He has heard about her from General Zulfikar, and he hopes to make her famous. Ahmed agrees, and within six months, Jamila is famous.

Latif is soon a frequent presence at Alia’s house. They begin to refer to him as Uncle Puffs, and during his regular visits, he encourages Saleem to marry one of his seven daughters. Amina is quick to change the subject and is not fond of the idea of her son marrying one of Latif’s daughters.

Jamila’s increasing fame leads to a public concert, but before Latif books it, he begins a rumor that Jamila has been the victim of a terrible disfiguring accident and must keep her face covered with a heavy silk chadar, which is held up by two muscular, sexless figures. In the center of the chadar, Latif cuts a three-inch hole, through which Jamila sings. She becomes “Pakistan’s Angel,” and is the daughter of an entire nation.

Jamila is soon invited to sing at the home of President Ayub, and the entire family is invited. They accept, despite evidence that he is crooked. When Jamila sings, she “dedicates herself to patriotism.”

Like most of the nation of Pakistan, Saleem begins to fall in love with Jamila. He runs errands for her, driving his scooter through the city to the order of Santa Ignacia, a catholic nunnery. There he buys leavened bread for his sister, which she “hankered constantly.”

Saleem soon finds out about the death of his grandfather, Aadam Aziz. The Indo-Pakistani relationship continues to deteriorate, leading to a closing of the boarders. Saleem and his family are unable to get to Agra to mourn Aadam and Reverend Mother, likewise, is unable to get to Pakistan.

Stuck in the city, Saleem befriends a prostitute named Tai Bibi, who claims to be five hundred and twelve years old. The old prostitute is in complete control of her glands and is able to emit the smell of anyone on earth. Tai Bibi mimics the smells of all the women in Saleem’s life, ending with Jamila Singer, correctly identifying Saleem’s love for his sister.

In the northern princedom of Kif, a prince, or Nawab, arranges the marriage of his daughter to Zafar, General Zulfikar’s son. Jamila Singer performs at their engagement party, where the Nawab’s son, Mutasim, falls in love with Jamila and vows to see her face.

As Jamila sings, a “hashashin wind” blows in from the north, making Saleem drowsy. The wedding guest begin to giggle uncontrollably and Zafar is so relaxed, he wets his pants. Mutasim attempts to get behind Jamila’s chadar, and Latif escorts her to a private room.

Saleem later goes to Jamila’s room to confess his love, and the hashashin wind has caused Mutasim to crawl in through Jamila’s window. Saleem stops him and Jamila turns down his advances, and at last, Saleem confesses his feelings to his sister.

Jamila becomes upset with Saleem’s confession, but he explains to her how his love is not wrong. Since they are not biological siblings, their blood is not the same. As Saleem speaks, he knows that his feelings are wrong. He realizes that even though “what he is saying is the literal truth, there were other truths which had become more important because they had been sanctified by time.”

As Saleem leaves Jamila’s room, he hears the daughter of the Nawab scream. She has had a dream in which her fiancé, on their wedding night, wet their marital bed. Disgusted, she resolves never to reach puberty so that she may forever avoid marrying Zafar.