Kamala Markandaya's Nectar In A Sieve

300 Words1 Page
bulb-icon

Recommended: Reflection on indian literature

In Kamala Markandaya’s Nectar in a Sieve, Ruku’s cultural surroundings play a big role in developing her character by helping her grow in understanding and improving her mentality towards other beliefs and cultures. In the beginning of the story, the emergence of other cultures in the story cause a clash in Ruku’s previous beliefs, however, as the novel progresses they allow for growth as Ruku is able to be more accepting of others’ differences. Ruku gives the readers insight on how people change their mentalities and learn to be accepting of people who are different from themselves regardless of what popular culture believes. For example, despite Sacrabani’s albinism and the way the people in the village view him, Selvam is approving of

Show More
Related

  • Analysis: Nectar In A Sieve

    1921 Words  | 4 Pages

    Climax: The Tannery has bought Rukmani and Nathans land. They have 2 weeks to move out to the city. Ira and her son will stay because this is their home and everybody is used to looking at Sacrabani(Albino Son). Selvam will help Ira and Sacrabani, continue their lives but cannot help his parents. Selvam has a job at a hospital Kenny has built and makes decent income.

    Read More

  • Passing

    2359 Words  | 5 Pages

    ...s appealing it is not without consequence. Clare, and those who choose to pass, are not free to embrace their whole identity and will always remain a threat to those they come in contact. Clare exemplified the archetypal character of the tragic mulatto, as she bought tragedy to her own life and all those she came in contact. Clare’s presence forced Irene to contend with feelings of internalized racism, and thus feelings of inferiority. Through diction, tone, and imagery Larsen makes it luminous to readers that "passing" may seem glamorous, however, the sacrifice one makes to do so is not without consequences for themselves and those they care about. Larsen does not allow her readers to perch on the belief that once a member of the dominate group ones life is not without pain and suffering. Every action, even those that seem to make life easier, have consequences.

    Read More

  • Balzac And The Little Chinese Seamstress Analysis

    1217 Words  | 3 Pages

    Throughout reading these novel, with all the similar messages that are obtained within them, one main message from each other is similar, a better understanding of cultural difference. Authors Dai Sijie, Mario Vargas Llosa, and Wole Soyinka all exemplify what life is like in other cultures and regions of the world. The Machiguenga, The Yoruban tribe, and people involved in the Cultural Revolution era, are all timeframes and people that we will never understand or have to experience first handed due to where we come from. The life that we are used to is so different then what the life is like from the readings of these book, that these authors express that even if it’s different, we should be excepting of all lifestyles, even if we don’t fully understand their beliefs.

    Read More

  • Cultural Conflicts In Homeless Bird And Chinese Cinderella

    869 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many people react against the values of their culture. This can many cause conflicts in someone’s culture. The realistic fiction novel, Homeless Bird, by Gloria Whelan, and the autobiography, Chinese Cinderella, by Adeline Yen Mah, display many cultural conflicts. Homeless Bird was about an Indian girl named Koly. Koly had many conflicts due to her Indian culture such as having an arranged marriage, and being left in the city. Chinese Cinderella was about a Chinese girl named Adeline. Adeline suffers from many conflicts because of her Chinese culture including, being neglected by her parents, and being left in a boarding school. A person’s cultural background can cause many conflicts within a person.

    Read More

  • Patricia Williams Ethnic Hash

    215 Words  | 1 Pages

    In Patricia J. Williams excerpt “Ethnic Hash” Williams writes in the point of view of her younger self, when she was trying to understand her culture. “What are the habits, customs, and common traits in which I have been guided in life” (Williams 13)? Williams is not sure what exactly her culture is, but does believe that it has an effect on her

    Read More

  • The Old Man Isn T There Anymore Summary

    558 Words  | 2 Pages

    It shows an amusing perspective of her trying to interpret and thrive in a different culture. This story is very relatable because everyone misinterprets something at some point in their lives. She did very well giving details about the culture and helping the reader understand how unfamiliar she was. I think if she had been familiar with the culture her actions may have been perceived as disrespectful.

    Read More

  • Two Ways To Belong In America

    1351 Words  | 3 Pages

    Each person has their own way of seeing the world and the people in it. For example, “I am Premila and she - nodding in my direction - is Santha. Oh, my dears, those are much too hard for me. Suppose we give you pretty English names.” (Rau) Since the headmistress did not know how to pronounce the Indian girls’ names she took the easy way and altered their names to to fit her culture. You can tell the mistress appreciates her culture more because she changed their names to “pretty English names.” She didn't agree with their Indian culture names. The two sisters always take Indian food for lunch. “Premila and I were the only ones who had Indian food.” (Rau) “She also told Mother, in an aside, that we should take sandwiches to school the next day.” (Rau) Premila and Santha felt like they stood out from everyone else so they asked their mother to make something else. Since their culture is “different” they changed their traditions and characteristics to blend in with everyone else. This last example shows how the headmistress’ culture affects the sisters and possibly the world. “We had our test today, and she made me and the other Indians sit at the back of the room, with a desk between each one.”(Rau) “She said it was because Indians cheat.”(Rau) Not only did this offend Indians but now other kids will think the same or have a similar mindset. They will learn the headmistress’ culture, grasp what they can and it will affect other people in the world now and in the future as

    Read More

  • American Culture: Similarities Between American And Indian Culture

    474 Words  | 1 Pages

    Imagine living in a world where your culture is not primarily dominant, and other individuals do not identify as the equal to you. Existing with a diverse set of populations, America has become a melting pot of various cultures; each one existing uniquely in its own respect; no two cultures are similar. Culture distinguishes one societal group from another through beliefs, behaviors, language, traditions, art, food, and religion, and politics. Patterns of behavior and thinking have been shaped through culture by the continually, altering process of learning, creativity, and thinking, which differs among females and males. The purpose of culture is so profound that it creates every aspect of who and what individuals are, producing an identity for oneself. Thus, the cultural environment an individual matures in is very crucial to their identity.

    Read More

  • Racism In The Invisible Man

    1697 Words  | 4 Pages

    Racism and stereotypes make it difficult for individuals to express their individuality identity. Certain stereotypes can affect people social lives, emotions, and how people interact with their environment” (Rodrigo). Racism can be considered an obstacle to individual identity. The results of stereotypes have a huge impact on how humans sometime feel, such as; not having motivation, courage, dedication or heart to go on. In the “Invisible Man” topics are focus on such as culture stigma, black society, and stereotyping. “I did not understand in those pre- invisible days that their hate and mine too, was charged with fear. How all of us at the college hated the black – belt people, the “peasants,” during those day! We were trying to lift them

    Read More

  • Transcending Place and Time in Mirror for Man

    1068 Words  | 3 Pages

    To illustrate his point, Kluckhorn gives examples of times when the culture someone was raised in plays a major role in determining how the person will react in a given situation -- often how they will react to an aspect of another culture. The examples all showed that one's own culture is where one feels safest. Kluckhorn's illustrations of how people react negatively to other cultures seems to prove the axiom that man's biggest fear is of change.

    Read More

  • Amy

    628 Words  | 2 Pages

    To sum up, culture defines peoples’ identities, and every community or cultural groups of people have their own values, behaviors, and styles of living. Food and styles of celebrations are parts of peoples’ culture as well as heritage. They have their own different practices and unique habits. Indeed, culture influences our views, values and even fears. It is considered a part of a person’s life as well as it shapes the person’s character. It also enhances people’s understanding of their world to see it according to the community where were raised.

    Read More

  • The Indian Culture

    1397 Words  | 3 Pages

    ...’t necessarily have to have a positive effect to their life. In the novel, Bim Das had to face many times of hardship because she was following the customs and traditions of the Indian culture which acted disastrous to her life’s outcome. . Responsibility empowered her life with too many tasks which resulted into Bim sacrificing her life for her family members. Sorrow was introduced to her life when she had realized that her life was a complete waste because of the effort she put into the Indian custom of the oldest being the most responsible one. But overall, she loved her culture, family nad customs because of the enormous part love and compassion played in her life. It brightened her life and gave her a chance to look on forward to the next day with a smile. The Indian culture is a proud part of many people’s lives, but is it worth sacrificing your life for it?

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Markandaya's Novel 'Nectar In A Sieve'

    1359 Words  | 3 Pages

    In her novel, Markandaya is all out to enhance the traditional picture of the Indian woman as a docile, weak before her life partner. She reshapes her women characters like Rukmani in Nectar in a Sieve as forceful blasters of male self image hierarchy. From this overview one can get two sorts of parts played by women characters in Indian Women Fiction: the traditional and the modern. The female novelists attempt genuine endeavours to extend the suffering of women with a specific goal to educate men and their cognizant. The unconventional are seen to suffer for their violation of accepted norms of society or for questioning them; death is the way out for them, unless their experiences teach them to subdue their individuality and rebelliousness

    Read More

  • The Symbols Of Material Culture And Culture In Sarah

    939 Words  | 2 Pages

    Culture is a part of everyday life that can affect a plethora of features including decision making, interactions, and even the quality of life. Culture can be used in reference regarding music or a particular tradition stemming from a specific ethnicity. The way of life is always transforming, and culture can differentiate as well as bring together a group of people in a way that influences their surroundings. Sociologists and ethnographers have agreed that culture has to do with way a particular group communicates, their beliefs, and their customs. In the particular story about Sarah, it is apparent how material culture and social culture is heavily interwoven in the series of events that she went through. Material culture is concerned with

    Read More

  • Asur Tale Of The Vanquished By Anand Neelakantan

    1353 Words  | 3 Pages

    The author by interweaving, religious convictions and historical details employs fiction so as to provide a very powerful social commentary coming from none other than the most hated antagonist ever—Ravana himself. The novel raises several forbidden issues of color, race, untouchability, gender, with a hope that the marginalized and discriminated individuals find

    Read More

More about Kamala Markandaya's Nectar In A Sieve

Open Document