Plot+(1)


 * ~*PLOT*~**


 * Exposition -**//beginning part of the plot when background information (that is vital to understanding the plot) about the characters is revealed.//

Jhabvala makes use of exposition in the very beginning of her novel Heat & Dust (pages 1&2), in which she introduces the reader to the novel's most important characters and also gives information about them, such as the fact that Douglas is divorced, that Olivia ran off with the Nawab, who the Nawab is, and also hinting at the taboo that surrounds the whole incident. Without any of this information, the reader would be clueless as to the plot of the story, therefore the author has to make use of this method.


 * Complication -** //a series of difficulties that form the central action in the narrative//

The author most definitely makes use of complication in this novel, seeing as the increasing difficulty for Olivia of keeping up appearances towards Douglas whilst getting more and more involved with the Nawab is what the plot revolves around. Also, the Englishmen's increasing difficulties with the Nawab and his dacoits are vital in helping to establish Olivia's loyalty to the Nawab, seeing as she refuses to believe he is involved at first.


 * Inciting movement -** //an occurrence that sets the plot in motion; first introduction to the conflict.//

In Heat & Dust, the party that the Nawab hosts for the local English officials (page 14) is the inciting movement, seeing as there Olivia is at first introduced to the Nawab and his mysterious, glamorous allure, which is amplified even more in contrast to the dreary British expat lifestyle she has already grown bored of. Prior to this, she was getting to become increasingly bored of life in India and the company of the other British wives, but after this occurrence, she starts to like India, knowing that the Nawab will "call on her" sooner or later. It is from this meeting that springs their relationship, around which the plot is centered.


 * Incident -** //an occurrence that propels the plot forward and/or reveals character//

In Heat and Dust, one of the most notable incidents is Olivia's pregnancy (first mentioned on page 141). Due to the fact that she is certain that the Nawab is the father of her child, she turns to the Begum to help her in getting an abortion. Through this, she has aligned herself with the Indians - crossed the border, so to speak. Also, the fact that she aborts shows her increasing alliance with India, seeing as that had it been Douglas' child, she would have been forever resigned to living with him and the other Brits, which is something she completley abhors. Also, after Saunders has confronted her with the fact that he knows that she engineered her miscarriage, she flees to the Palace as opposed to going to Douglas and confessing everything in hopes that he might forgive her. Thus, she has completely crossed the border into "the other dimension" as Major Minnies refers to it, showing herself to be too temperamental and passionate a character to resign herself to austere Englishness.