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"Seven years we have waited," said Nathan, his eyes glinting, "wings or no wings." (21)
This particular passage takes places minutes after Rukmani gives birth to the couple's first baby boy, whom they name Arjun. I find this passage very emotionally heavy because when a woman first bears a baby girl, that is a sign for most husbands to find a new wife in order to have sons to success their work in the fields; however, Nathan does not up and leave Rukmani, he stands by her no matter how long it takes to have a boy -in this case seven years- and makes sure his wife knows how much he loves her. When Nathan exclaims he does not care if his son had "wings or no wings," that exemplifies his loyalty to his wife, something seldom shown in this culture.
"Time are better, times are better...time will not be better for many months...oh God, there is nothing!" (43)
This conversation takes place when Rukmani and Nathan come across Kenny while they are out buying rice. While Rukmani is in good spirits and trying to keep a positive attitude, Kenny brings her down by not believing times will get better. Rukmani has looked up to Kenny as a savior in the past, and normally people would have a remark like this change their impression of the person; however, Rukmani does not. She trusts him to help her with her daughter. This could be a problem in the future, if she does not let anything he says change her views about him.
"But what could I buy with the money and prices to high everywhere?" p. 28
This comment comes from Rumkani, the narrator in the story. It is made once the foreigners come to their town and start to building a tannery. I picked this passage, because it deals with invasion by foreigners, but also the idea of globalization. I found it interesting how much this book has a eerie resemblance to the book Things Fall Apart, I think they are very similar because the townspeople both don't mind the foreigners in the beginning but as the books progress they find it more upsetting and become more skeptical. It makes it very appealing to people to work their with the high wages, and situations like with Nyowe start to occur. It relates to globalization because markets are expanding, and they are trying to set up a uniform trading society. In addition found it interesting even though with, "prices to high" people still welcomed the tannery. While I continue to read the book it will be interesting to see if the people start to react differently to the foreigners.
"Are you not glad that our village is no longer a clump of huts but a small town?" p 29
This quote directly relates to globalization. It is said by Kunthi when talking to Rumanki about the foreigners. On one hand Kunthi thinks it is amazing the transformation that is occurring in their town while Rumanki thinks differently. She says " I went back to my home, thankful that a fair distance still lay between them and us" p 29. I picked this line because I think its going to foreshadow what is to come from their village. It is in a transformation stage and it is starting to divide the society. It could lead to a giant conflict and eventually people having to leave. I think that Rumanki's opinion counts a lot in her family because she is a vital part of her small knit community and a parent to many. She also very down to earth person. For example, when she still gives food to the Old Granny even though it was at a lower price. There is alot of transforimg that the villige is about to undergo, and with two sides it will be very hard to have a smooth transition.
Rumkani: "I Felt desperately sorry for them, deprived of the ordinary pleasures of knowing warm sun and cool breeze upon their flesh, of walking out and free.." p 48
Response from Kali "I would gladly wear a bourka and walk veiled for the rest of my life if I, too, could be sure of such things." p48
I found this passage very interesting in the clash of of perspective of foreigners by the society. Although they are both experienced woman they have completely different views of the new way life in their society is about to undergo. These lines show a lot about the people. It shows how Rumkani is loyal to her culture no matter how bad a hardship she is enduring. She is a very tough skinned person and has gone through a lot, but she hasn't let it get to her still putting one foot in front of another. On the other hand is looks poorly for her neighbor Kali who seems more interested in the quick pleasures in life and doesn't think of her roots, and who she is. In my opinion her response is an immature on; she is turing her back to traditions that her family has done for numerous years, forgetting the past. If the whole society was to think like Kali, their traditions could simply be wiped out-forever.
"My thoughts went to Kenny. He can help, I thought; surely he can do something. My crushed spirit revived a little." (50)
This passage is from when Ira finds out she cannot have children and her husband leaves her. I chose this passage because it shows how Rukmani trusts the white man (Kenny) more than she does any of her own neighbors. She thinks that since Kenny is white, he holds more knowledge than anyone else. This could be bad because Kenny does not even believe in himself nor does he believe anything can get better when it is at its worst. This relates to globalization because Kenny's practice is growing larger and more people depend on him to fix their problems rather than figuring them out on their own. It will be interesting to see if Rukmani depends more or less on Kenny throughout the duration of the book.
Old Granny, bent low on her stick, came bringing a rupee which she game to keep for the child. I did not want to take it but she insisted: if I had know it was her last I would have resisted her blandishments. But I took it and thanked her." p 117
This passage takes place once Ira gives birth to her albino baby. The Old Granny feels at fault for the life that Ira was to deal with because she arranged her original marriage. With no food to feed herself Old Granny doesn't hesitate and gives her last rupee to Rumkani. I found it interesting how she is in some way returning the favor that Rumkani did for her buy selling her food at a cheeper price earlier on. Although Rumkani accepts she later realizes she died from starvation from lack of money. It causes a lot of turmoil between Rumkani and her husband, Nathan. Once again it shows a clash in personalities. Nathan supports her taking the rupee saying "you are being very childish" p 121 showing how insensitive Nathan is; while it shows the amazing character that Rumkani possesses able to put every other person in front of herself, even in the worst of times. Her great personality is what helps her get through the toughest times, and still be able to come back from all the horrible things she faces on a day to day basis.
"It is a thing that might happen to anyone" (5)
Nathan expresses this quote as he and Rukmani mount the cart pulled by the bullocks, directly following their wedding. The quote shows the emotions, attached to being married at such young ages, which leads the reader to grasp a broad understanding of what they are obligated to go through. I find this quote important because it sets the emotional tone of being married at such young ages for the rest of the book. This quote sets the emotional tone of being married at ages of fourteen and less because when Nathan says this, he is expressing that it is normal to be nervous after getting married and that many people go through the same thing. This is important because later in the book when Rumkani's daughter is married she expresses similar feelings, which shows what it is like to be part of such customs as the ones in this culture.
"It is a bad season.... the rains have destroyed much of our work; there will be little eating done this year." (40)
This statement somberly expressed by Nathan takes place while he and Rukmani are staring out at their paddy field as it becomes engulfed in the rainwater. While they watch Arjun and Thambi explore the new rivers and lakes created by the extensive monsoons, Nathan and Rukmani stare nervously at their destroyed paddy field, the source of income. While the kids are too young to understand the severity of the flooding, both Rukmani and Nathan wonder what this means for their future.
"For this I have given you birth my son, that you should lie in the end at my feet with ashes in your face and coldness in your limbs and yourself departed without a trace, leaving this huddle of bones and flesh without meaning." (89)
Rukmani grieves for her son in this quote who is killed after he is beaten for attempting to steal food. This quote is important because it symbolizes the series of bad events that are bestowing on Rukmani's family. I believe this passage depicts the peak of Rukmani's bad luck streak, because following Raja's death, good crops came. Although this is devastating for Rukmani, to lose a son, it ironically brings good luck to her family, which offers a glimpse of hope for the family by hopefully being able to bring in money to support them in the declining economy.
"But the change that now came into my life, into all our lives, blasting its way into our village, seemed wrought in the twinkling of an eye." (25)
This passage, stated by Rukmani, is significant because it directly relates to the MGC project. This quote ties into the project because it acknowledges the speedy globalization occurring specifically in India. This relates directly to the project because exemplified by the quote, Rukmani suggests that the fast rate of change taking place has negatively impacted her culture/ and families lives. This quote foreshadows the dramatic effect globalization has on Rukmani's family: causing them to turn to prostitution, stealing, and divorce.
"It is a thing that might happen to anyone" (5)
Nathan expresses this quote as he and Rukmani mount the cart pulled by the bullocks, directly following their wedding. The quote shows the emotions, attached to being married at such young ages, which leads the reader to grasp a broad understanding of what they are obligated to go through. I find this quote important because it sets the emotional tone of being married at such young ages for the rest of the book. This quote sets the emotional tone of being married at ages of fourteen and less because when Nathan says this, he is expressing that it is normal to be nervous after getting married and that many people go through the same thing. This is important because later in the book when Rumkani's daughter is married she expresses similar feelings, which shows what it is like to be part of such customs as the ones in this culture.
"It is a bad season.... the rains have destroyed much of our work; there will be little eating done this year." (40)
This statement somberly expressed by Nathan takes place while he and Rukmani are staring out at their paddy field as it becomes engulfed in the rainwater. While they watch Arjun and Thambi explore the new rivers and lakes created by the extensive monsoons, Nathan and Rukmani stare nervously at their destroyed paddy field, the source of income. While the kids are too young to understand the severity of the flooding, both Rukmani and Nathan wonder what this means for their future.
"For this I have given you birth my son, that you should lie in the end at my feet with ashes in your face and coldness in your limbs and yourself departed without a trace, leaving this huddle of bones and flesh without meaning." (89)
Rukmani grieves for her son in this quote who is killed after he is beaten for attempting to steal food. This quote is important because it symbolizes the series of bad events that are bestowing on Rukmani's family. I believe this passage depicts the peak of Rukmani's bad luck streak, because following Raja's death, good crops came. Although this is devastating for Rukmani, to lose a son, it ironically brings good luck to her family, which offers a glimpse of hope for the family by hopefully being able to bring in money to support them in the declining economy.
"But the change that now came into my life, into all our lives, blasting its way into our village, seemed wrought in the twinkling of an eye." (25)
This passage, stated by Rukmani, is significant because it directly relates to the MGC project. This quote ties into the project because it acknowledges the speedy globalization occurring specifically in India. This relates directly to the project because exemplified by the quote, Rukmani suggests that the fast rate of change taking place has negatively impacted her culture/ and families lives. This quote foreshadows the dramatic effect globalization has on Rukmani's family: causing them to turn to prostitution, stealing, and divorce.
"I wanted to cry. This is a mud hut, nothing but mud and thatch, was my home"(5).
This is a thought in Rumanki's head after she comes to her new home for the first time since she got married to Nathan. This thought of Rumanki's gives the reader a sense that she is very spoiled as a child. When Rumanki was at home she was with a very rich family. Her dad was one of the richest men in the village and therefore they lived a very rewarding life. However, now that Rumanki is on her own with her husband she realizes how hard her life is going to be because she knows she isn't going to be living in a nice big house. Rumanki also looks spoiled here because she is crying over her house which is pretty much the same as everyone else's house in the village that she now lives in. However later in the story Rumanki changes when she realizes her husband Nathan made her the hut. She realizes how selfish she acted and she should appreciate what her husband does for her.
"My husband was overjoyed at the arrival of a son" (24).
This quote gives the reader an idea of how important a son is to a family from India. Throughout the beginning of the book Rukmani gives the reader an idea of how important a son is. She talks about how disappointing it is for her first child to be a girl and how a first son is important in order to help the father do work outside of the house. She also explains how a first child as a girl means some husbands will leave their wives. However, Nathan stayed loyal to Rukmani. He waited seven years for her to have another child and was truly excited when it was a boy because now he had someone to help him in the field work. I also think that having a son was very important to Rukmani because before her mother died she told Rukmani she would have many sons. So it seems that this would be an very emotional time for Rukmani.
"And the light went out in his eyes" (187).
This quote takes place when Nathan is pronounced dead after collapsing in the streets while it was raining outside. This quote has much significance to the book because it is the end of Rukmani's bad fortune in the book. First she had a daughter as her first child, then it took her seven years to have a husband. Soon after that the troubles she had with her son dying and then starving and losing all her money and possessions while also losing their home. Rukmani along with this has gone through much more trouble and has had what looks to the reader as what is a very hard life to live. Now she has reached the end where her husband has died and she has returned home to her daughter and son.
"I will not harm you" (24).
This is a passage that is said by Kenny to Rukmani when she first meets him. This is very important to the reader because the reader now understands how helpful Kenny is to the story. He is the one that comforted Rukmani's mother before she died while also helping Rukmani to conceiving her first son along with many more after that. Kenny also helps out two of Rukmani's sons by helping them find jobs so they could make money for their family while Rukmani and Nathan are going through tough times financially. In this part of the book the reader is able to meet and understand how kind of a person Kenny really is and this part also helps the author set up later events that happens in this story.
"Kenny is building a hospital," he said. "When it is ready he will need an assistant, and he has offered me the job." (109)
This occurs when Selvam tells his parents that he will be going to work for Kenny in the new hospital, rather than following his father in the fields, the latter of which is custom in Indian culture. I thought this was very interesting because, like Rukmani, Selvam seems to have a lot of trust in Kenny; however, there have been no instances in which Nathan sees Kenny as a good man at all, it will be interesting to see if this plays out in the very end of the book. The building of a huge hospital is an example of globalization because Kenny's job is now reaching out to an entire country, rather than a single village. When the Tannery was built, almost all the villagers opposed it, but now that something that will greatly benefit everyone is being built, they accept it at once. I find this interesting because it makes people in the village seem selfish, and as times grow harder this could play a role in the ending of the book.
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