Nectar In A Sieve Essay

688 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Nectar in a sieve part 1

Analyzing Nectar in a Sieve
Change: can it always be good or is it sometimes negative? In the novel Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya, a big change comes to a little Indian village. In Markandaya’s story, the narrator Rukmani reflects on her turbulent life in the village from being married at age twelve to when her husband Nathan passes away. The pair encounters many struggles and survives several natural disasters. Their normal lifestyle is disrupted by a rapid growth that turns the small village into a bustling town. Markandaya explains that characters have differing opinions about what is happening, but the overall outcome is negative for everyone.
Rukmani dislikes the change because she suffers from it. “Change I had known before, and it had been gradual” (Markandaya 25). This idea of change is not new to Rukmani; she experiences it because of her father’s job. The building of a tannery begins to transform the village. Rukmani eventually loses her land and the life of her son Raja to the tannery, a place she had always seen as bad luck. “[The tannery] had invaded our village with clatter and din, had taken from us the maidan where our children played, and made the bazaar prices to high for us” (Markandaya 27). Rukmani does not like the fact that European people marched in, took over their land, and created a dangerous factory. In her opinion, the village should not be changed for any reason. Rukmani believes modernization is not what this village needs, especially after her bad experiences with the tannery.
Ira has conflicting feelings about the modernization of the village, but overall she believes it has a negative affect on the village. At one point she detests it, but later on she wants to stay in the village even ...

... middle of paper ...

...nthi basically forces Rukmani to give her some rice, she stays at their house until she gets some rice. Kunthi believes that the altercation in the village is am amazing opportunity for her sons, but when they leave she begins to realize how Rukmani was feeling about it.
Rukmani, Ira, and Kunthi all agree that the change had an overall negative affect on the village. Rukmani really dislikes this modification, while Ira and Kunthi are both okay with the it for a period of time but everything eventually turns. Change can really affect a person’s life today, even though the world is always changing. Nectar In a Sieve was Kamala Markandaya’s first published novel, and it was published in 1954. She had several more amazing novels following this one. As said by the Associated press, this unforgettable novel really “brings out your heart.” This novel truly was very moving.

Show More
Related

  • Complex Characters In The Book, Crank, By Ellen Hopkins

    847 Words  | 2 Pages

    People change everyday, whether it is from good to bad or for the better. People often say to themselves, maybe, if I didn't do “blank” this wouldn't have happened. However, the reality is, it happened, and there is no way to change that. Why go around throwing maybe’s around if you cannot change it? Authors purposefully make readers ask those questions. Authors love to create complex characters, characters that go through change. In Ellen Hopkins’ book, Crank, is the perfect example. Ellen Hopkins writes from her own daughter's perspective, Kristina, on how “the monster” changed her own life and her family's life.

    Read More

  • The Changeable Nature of Life in The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

    515 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Changeable nature of life affects us all somehow. Whether it be moving to a new city, having children, or losing people that we love, it can affect people in many different ways. For example, in the novel, the main character Taylor Greer changes her name from Marietta and moves...

    Read More

  • Rigoberta Menchu

    909 Words  | 2 Pages

    Her realization that she is not alone in her oppression brings her a sense of freedom. It validates her emerging thoughts of wanting to rise up and shine a light on injustice. Her worries about not wanting to grow up because of the harsh life that awaits her is a common thought among others besides the people in her community. As she makes friends with other Indians in other communities she realizes the common bonds they share, even down to the most basic such as what they eat, which comforts her and allows her to empathize with them.

    Read More

  • Mrs. Fullerton's Short Story 'The Shining Houses'

    1045 Words  | 3 Pages

    People are often criticized or even attacked sometimes for disagreeing with the popular opinion. In the short ‘The shining houses’, Mary, the protagonist of the story has an opinion that vastly differs from the rest involving Mrs. Fullerton’s house. The community wants to get rid of the old lady’s house just because it does not resonate with the beauty of the rest of the “shining houses” in the community. Mary is a sign of hope for Mrs. Fullerton when two individuals Carl and Edith force her to sign the petition to eradicate the “fifty year old” house, Mary stands up for the old lady’s rights. Mary refuses to conform to what the society believes in despite the overwhelming opposition coming “invincibly from all sides”, she disagrees with the destruction of old ways of the community. Mrs. Fullerton’s house symbolizes the old way of life and tradition that people adhered by so, the destruction of that house would constitute the bullying of the older generation by the younger generation in a way. The stability of an entire community lies in the perception of the old ways as a building block for newer ideas and development. Change does not always constitute a good result in the sense that some people might be harmed by a particular change while other’s benefit, a legitimate change should have the characteristic of satisfying everybody while respecting the opinion of the

    Read More

  • Comparing 1930's Society, as Depicted in To Kill a Mockingbird with Present Day Society

    864 Words  | 2 Pages

    Change happens all of the time in our ever advancing society. Many changes have occurred from 1930 to 2009. Changes like these can be very affective in a positive or negative way and I, as a young Alabamian experience changes every day. Moral upbringings have become unimportant and have caused a drop in society. Education of children now is very important and necessary to help them to succeed. The crime rate has risen in small towns causing more uproar in usually quiet towns. These changes are not very drastic but they are important factors in our daily life and can help or hinder our society.

    Read More

  • East vs West

    806 Words  | 2 Pages

    Rukmani and Kenny’s conversations show how Easterners value respect and reverence, while Westerners put and emphasis on equality. After Kenny helps her conceive, Rukmani bends down to kiss Kenny’s feet, thinking she is showing respect. Kenny doesn’t like it: “He withdrew [his feet] quickly and told me to get up. ‘I am not your benefactor’” (Markandaya 32). Similarly, Rukmani is hesitant to ask about Kenny’s family because it is personal: “Of himself he did not speak… I held my tongue, for I felt to ask would be to offend him” (Markandaya 33). Both of these events show how the two cultures misunderstand each other. Kenny doesn’t like when Rukmani kisses his shoes because he doesn’t feel above her, but she is just trying to be nice. And Rukmani doesn’t understand what will and won’t offend Kenny because her culture doesn’t encourage asking personal questions.

    Read More

  • Coping With Death Essay: Coping With Death

    1175 Words  | 3 Pages

    Sripathi’s intolerance of spending money on anything but himself leads to the disgust of his wife. During the planning of Maya’s engagement, he worries about “how much that [would] cost” (102) and even calls his wife a “foolish woman” (102). This is significant because it shows that Sripathi cannot bear the thought of splurging on his daughter’s engagement. This shows that he does not care about pleasing other people who are invited to ceremony; rather, he cares about his own financial future. Through the exchange between him and his wife, Sripathi is portrayed as a selfish person who only cares about his own opinions. He even belittles his wife for not accepting his opinion as the best idea. However, after Maya’s death, Sripathi copes by becoming more empathetic. He recalls what he has done to Maya and wonders how he will be able to face his grandchild with the knowledge that he is responsible for her mother’s death (245). This is significant because Sripathi begins to reflect and consider how others feel. Through this personal thought, this reveals how much his character has changed since the death of Maya. He now understands that he will not be able to face his grandchild because of how disowning Maya contributed to her death. Sripathi now tries to atone for what he has done to Maya by attempting to get closer to Nandana. This helps him to

    Read More

  • Linda Sue Park's A Long Walk To Water

    1187 Words  | 3 Pages

    Now that they have overcome each challenge by persevering, their lives change for the better. Now having easy access to clean water, Nya and the rest of the village will prosper. Nya’s village will now be able to evolve as a village from having clean water. Now that Salva’s life has changed, he is able to change the lives of others by building wells in their village. In fact, Salva was able to change the life of Nya and her village. Linda Sue Park hopes that readers will take away that change can be for good or

    Read More

  • The Positive Change in 'The First Stone'

    555 Words  | 2 Pages

    People can change their ways overtime in a positive way. Everyone has experienced change once in their life. Some people have acknowledged change over the course of life in a positive way or a negative way. Throughout the novel “The First Stone” by Don Aker, the main character Reef alters his ways a lot positively. Reef is a teenager who changes his lifestyle and makes a huge impact in his life after he meets Leeza. This novel develops the fact that people can change in a beneficial way, no matter what situation they are in.

    Read More

  • Significant Changes in Eliezer’s Relationship With His Father

    849 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hazel, M. "Change is crucial in a person’s life." N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2008. .

    Read More

  • The Effects Of Change In The Movie 'The Goonies'

    1334 Words  | 3 Pages

    From our first breath to our last, every person on Earth is in a perpetual state of change. Some of this change is physical, some of it is mental, and all of it is important. One of the most obvious instances of human change is seen throughout adolescence. During this time, both our bodies and our minds change very rapidly, nearly transforming us into completely different versions of ourselves. While it is true that this period of the human life does contains the largest amount of both physical and mental change, it should not be thought of as the only time in our life where change is acceptable. At any other time, though, change is usually looked at as negative. In many texts, when an adult changes, they are usually viewed as fickle or even

    Read More

  • Sold by Patricia McCormick

    909 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...nd willingly obliges as she feels a man “pushing himself between her thighs,” only gasping for air, not complaining (McCormick 103). The fact she doesn’t know what is happening at every moment around her proves how unregulated and truly horrible the life she has ahead of her is, and how utterly unprepared for the world Lakshmi was when she left her remote village.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast The Chrysanthemums And The Story Of An Hour

    1382 Words  | 3 Pages

    Attempt to change can lead to consequences. In “The Chrysanthemums” there is this woman named Eliza Allen that lives with her husband on a ranch in the time period of the great depression. During that time hard work is important in order to live a good life. Eliza is mostly seen working on the fields and in her garden with her chrysanthemums. The chrysanthemums are like Eliza’s children. She takes such precise care in them that “No aphids were there, no sowbugs or sails or cutworms. Her terrier fingers destroyed such pests before they could get started” (96). Her husband doesn’t notice her passion and love for them stating

    Read More

  • Injustice in Liberal Mentality

    601 Words  | 2 Pages

    An adamant believer in the effects and validity of fear, Rukmani views this emotion as nonexistential and consuming of one’s mind. Various elements, such as the syntax and her overall characterization, portray Rukmani as selfless and possessing genuine concern for others. Her resulting internal strife confirms this when she deliberates, “the thought, imprisoned in the brain but inc...

    Read More

  • Analysis of Bradbury's Dandelion Wine

    809 Words  | 2 Pages

    After reading Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury, I became more aware of the magic of summer and what it means to truly live. The novel gave me a new perspective of thee idea that life is like summer where you’re alive and feel free, but how it sadly doesn't last forever. The novel opened me up to the idea of looking at person’s mental age instead of their physical age. The novel follows the path of Douglas, a twelve-year-old boy living in Green Town, Illinois. In the novel, Douglas strives to enjoy his summer and to live his life to its fullest. In his adventuring, he becomes more aware of the nature of the world and tries to make sense of life and death. At the same time, Douglas sees people as “machines” that serve a purpose until they break down. Among other themes, Ray Bradbury suggests that too much dependence on these “machine” people might tear us away from ourselves.

    Read More

More about Nectar In A Sieve Essay

Open Document