In Anita Desai's novel each character plays a significant role, no matter how short the periods of appearances are, in making the story a success. One such character which totally embodies this idea is the youngest Das sibling, Baba.
Baba was a very special individual in this novel, in many ways than his birth defect is. For one he is a very contributive supporting character. Also he is a steady character throughout the story although having little or no lines at all. He is also very symbolic of different themes in the novel.
Foremost, the character Baba aids the readers in their quest to understand the novel by unveiling the quality characters that some major characters such as Bimla possessed. Due to Baba's mental condition he actually helps to build reveal characters by just being himself. People like Bimla and Aunt Mira show strong personalities and love by taking there time with him, and putting dreams on the line in order to take care of him. In doing this he helps to make Bimla's character even more appreciated by the readers. On the other hand individuals such as Raja and their mother are seen as neglectful, cold and unloving. These individuals, although family they may be, were not as caring as the afore mentioned family members. This is emphasized in the way that the pay the least attention to Baba.
Also Baba was able to remain a constant character throughout the novel. This is a feat that not many authors can boast about their silent, mentally challenged characters. Baba although at a huge disadvantage actually was still able to play an integral role in the book. And the surprising things were that the things which were picked up about Baba were his very simplistic actions, which had a major alternate interpretation to all of them.
Overall Baba's character was a character which evidently re-emphasized or reinforced some vital main themes. One of those themes was the past remaining the same. Baba was a major symbol and was one which went hand in hand with the 'Old Delhi' symbolism. Baba was a person who had an almost monotonous lifestyle throughout the book. He showed that just like the old house and Old Delhi that home had remained the same over all those years.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Clear Light Of Day pages 1-100
Pages 1-100
In the book Clear Light Of Day the first couple of pages seem to be pages which gives us, the audience insight into how the lives of the Das family was based. Itbegins to set the stage for the four major characters of the book, Bim, Raja, Tara and Baba. The first encountered character is Tara who has moved away from the family home in Old Delhi and has gotten married and currently lives in New Delhi. Tara is back in Old Delhi to pay a visit to her brother and sister, Baba, who is mentally disabled and Bimla, the only two relatives remaining in the Das' old family house. Tara who has been caught up with life in New Delhi is almost surprised to see that nothing has changed back home, everything including the rose-walk where they played as kids is still there. There rose-walk appears to be a major symbol in the book because it is there in the rose-walk that many of the flash-backs are experienced by the characters.
While walking through the rose-walk Bimla and Tara have flashbacks which give the readers an idea of the type of characters in the book. Bimla, the oldest sibling, is an independent, female radical. She is a strong woman who stands up for herself quite contrary to the Indian culture. Raja, the second sibling, used to be very good friends with Bim but later on we learn that he betrays them by charging rent on their home when he leaves. Tara, the third sibling, is quite opposite of her sister, she is a conventional Indian woman,which includes being very subservient to man. Baba, the youngest practically has no future, being mentally disabled. He is subject to care all his life, and is aided by the only sibling who does not marry and leave home, Bimla.
In these pages it shows how the family also ended up the way it is with all the sudden deaths of their family members. Their mother who dies suddenly, who was supportive of Tara who she recognized was the softest, is followed by their father, who has always been arguing with Raja because of his desire to attend a Muslim college, knowing that at the time with an outbreak of war on the verge, it might not be the best thing. Finally their Aunt Mira succumbs to her drinking.
Overall in the first 100 pages the author gives the audience a chance to understand how the scene is set, the characters, the events taking place and the circumstances surrounding the afore mentioned elements.
In the book Clear Light Of Day the first couple of pages seem to be pages which gives us, the audience insight into how the lives of the Das family was based. Itbegins to set the stage for the four major characters of the book, Bim, Raja, Tara and Baba. The first encountered character is Tara who has moved away from the family home in Old Delhi and has gotten married and currently lives in New Delhi. Tara is back in Old Delhi to pay a visit to her brother and sister, Baba, who is mentally disabled and Bimla, the only two relatives remaining in the Das' old family house. Tara who has been caught up with life in New Delhi is almost surprised to see that nothing has changed back home, everything including the rose-walk where they played as kids is still there. There rose-walk appears to be a major symbol in the book because it is there in the rose-walk that many of the flash-backs are experienced by the characters.
While walking through the rose-walk Bimla and Tara have flashbacks which give the readers an idea of the type of characters in the book. Bimla, the oldest sibling, is an independent, female radical. She is a strong woman who stands up for herself quite contrary to the Indian culture. Raja, the second sibling, used to be very good friends with Bim but later on we learn that he betrays them by charging rent on their home when he leaves. Tara, the third sibling, is quite opposite of her sister, she is a conventional Indian woman,which includes being very subservient to man. Baba, the youngest practically has no future, being mentally disabled. He is subject to care all his life, and is aided by the only sibling who does not marry and leave home, Bimla.
In these pages it shows how the family also ended up the way it is with all the sudden deaths of their family members. Their mother who dies suddenly, who was supportive of Tara who she recognized was the softest, is followed by their father, who has always been arguing with Raja because of his desire to attend a Muslim college, knowing that at the time with an outbreak of war on the verge, it might not be the best thing. Finally their Aunt Mira succumbs to her drinking.
Overall in the first 100 pages the author gives the audience a chance to understand how the scene is set, the characters, the events taking place and the circumstances surrounding the afore mentioned elements.
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