Midnight’s Children: Book 3: A Wedding Summary & Analysis

Saleem continues his story, telling a captivated Padma that on February 23, 1975, he marries Parvati-the-witch. Padma immediately becomes upset, but Saleem quickly cuts her off. He reminds her that “women have made him” but “also unmade him.” He quickly recaps the women of his life to an irritated Padma, who claims, “that’s too much women!”

Saleem agrees, thinking also of the Widow, and claims that even “the great cosmic energy” is “represented as a female organ.” According to Saleem, much like Mother India herself, “there is no escape” from women.

Saleem states that Parvati “took her destiny into her own hands.” Knowing of Saleem’s impotence, she uses her magic to summon Shiva to the magicians’ ghetto, and when he arrives to her shack, he doesn’t quite understand why.

According to Saleem, Shiva is successful both in the military and socially, and he frequents parties, dances, and other social events. He is handsome, and like Saleem, is cursed with too many women. Shiva is a “notorious seducer” of high society women, and he has had many—and has fathered many children as well. He suffers from a “curious fault,” however, and loses interest in women the moment they become pregnant.

On May 15, 1974, Shiva is inexplicably struck by a desire to see Parvati-the-witch, and he immediately goes to the magicians’ ghetto. Shiva takes Parvati in his arms and makes love to her. After, he brings her back to his living quarters, and they spend several enjoyable months together.

On September 12, Parvati tells Shiva that she is having his child, and his temperament immediately changes. He begins to yell at her and beat her, and he takes to sleeping with as many prostitutes as he possibly can. Suddenly, Parvati releases Shiva from her spell, and he deposits her, once and for all, back at the magicians’ ghetto.

According to Saleem, by casting a spell on Shiva, Parvati “invalidated his only defense against marrying her.” Upon her return to the ghetto, Parvati stands, visibly pregnant, on the steps of the mosque, and it is not long before the other women in the ghetto begin to shun her and her illegitimate child. As Parvati is insulted by others in the ghetto, widespread civil unrest unfolds all around India.

Picture Singh convinces Saleem that the only way to preserve Parvati’s honor and solve his own problem of infertility is to marry her. Saleem agrees, and after Parvati converts to Islam, they are married. Saleem changes her name to Laylah, a name from his dreams, and together, they are set to have a child.

As public discontent with Indira Gandhi grows, Parvati begins the first stages of labor, which in total, lasts thirteen days. During this time, Mrs. Gandhi is found guilty campaign malpractice, yet despite public outcry, she remains in power. Riots and arrests ensue, and Parvati continues to labor.

On June 25, 1975, just as Indira Gandhi is declaring a state of emergency, Parvati gives birth to Aadam Sinai, a perfectly formed baby—with the exception of a pair of “colossally huge” ears. Like Saleem, Aadam’s birth has historical significance, and he is “handcuffed to history” as well, his “own destiny chained” to that of his country.