The Curse: Ending of the Story

Based on the novel you have read,  describe what happened at the end of the novel,  explain why you find the ending happy or sad. Support your answer with close reference to the text.

The novel “The Curse” by Lee Su Ann begins with Azreen the protagonist having to return home from her studies in London because her elder sister, Madhuri, has passed away. When Azreen returns home, the air is rife with secrets, rumours and speculations surrounding Madhuri’s death. No one is willing to tell Azreen the cause of the death. At the end of the novel, Azreen finds out the truth.

It is only after the fire that kills the Old Lady that many questions are answered. Azreen confronts Mohd Asraf and he opens up and discloses to her that Madhuri and he are secret lovers who have planned to elope to Kuala Lumpur. Later, Awang, the ‘bomoh’, tells Azreen that Madhuri is not her real sister. Madhuri’s mother is left penniless after her husband leaves her. She becomes quite crazy and often neglects Madhuri. Saleh Abdullah, Azreen’s father, adopts Madhuri. Azreen then realizes why she and Madhuri are poles apart. One is full of grace, charm and beauty while Azreen is short, studious and tomboyish.

When Azreen discovers the latex-stained ‘parang’ behind the pile of wood logs, she confronts her father. He admits that Madhuri is not his real daughter and he kills her in a fit of anger because she is having an affair. Azreeen leaves angrily. Saleh Abdullah then comes face-to-face with Madhuri’s mother, the so-called ‘pontianak’ woman with blazing eyes. Salleh Abdullah is so terrified and distraught that he suffers a heart attack and dies.

In my opinion, I find the ending is sad as it is a tragic. Madhuri’s mother wants to avenge her daughter’s death. Saleh Abdullah should have confessed and he might not have died. But, if he has confessed, then Madhuri and Mohd Asraf’s secret affair would have been revealed. This would have stirred up more trouble for the local community, especially the headman, Madhuri’s husband. All said and done, Saleh Abdullah has to pay for the crime.