The Hungry Tide: Part 2: Habits Summary & Analysis

Kanai reads in Nirmal's journal that Nilima was very upset by Kusum's visit. She insists there's nothing they can do—the settlers are squatters on government property. Nirmal argues that Sir Daniel Hamilton did exactly the same thing on Gosaba and asks if these settlers' dreams are less valuable than Sir Daniel's. Nilima says that if people are allowed to take land like that, the forest will disappear. Regardless, she says, she can't take the chance of getting on the wrong side of the government; there's too much at stake. When Nirmal takes offense, Nilima insists that he lives in his head and doesn't understand that actually building something requires compromise.

Nilima reminds Nirmal that she came to Lusibari for him and has managed to make the best of it. She asks him to stay away from Morichjhãpi, if only to not jeopardize her life's work with the Trust. Nirmal feels deflated and knows that Nilima is right. He tries to forget about Morichjhãpi as the new year arrives. Nilima goes away to New Delhi, leaving Nirmal home alone for days. He toys with the idea of writing a book about the tide country but spends days staring at the mohona. He notices that there's not nearly as much wildlife as there used to be, and recognizes that this is a sign of death. He thinks it won't take much to submerge the tide country for good.

Nirmal wonders if it might not be a bad thing for the tide country to disappear, but then thinks of Morichjhãpi and Kusum's tale. He wonders what he could write that might do justice to the settlers’ hopes and dreams. Nirmal gazes at the water, feeling torn between Nilima and Kusum, whom he speaks of as a muse he never had. He feels unqualified to even think he could do the settlers’ stories justice.