Nectar in a Sieve Literary Essay

The power of the human spirit consists of a powerful concept that deals with resilience and the ability to continue moving on regardless of the odds that one encounters. Nectar in a Sieve, a novel by Kamala Markandaya, takes place in an unknown town in rural India. The story follows the life of Rukmani who is the narrator and main protagonist of the story. Nectar in a Sieve was published in 1954, a couple years after India gained independence from Britain. Nectar in a Sieve very well portrays the power of the human spirit through the obstacles the tannery instigates for Rukmani, the painstakingly difficult tasks she must surmount that arise from nature such as the drought, and the internal conflicts that result from these external issues.

Nectar in a Sieve closely encompasses the theme, the power of the human spirit, because of the obstacles that Rukmani must overcome in order for her to live a satisfying life with her family. Rukmani truly cares about her family and always puts her family above all. Throughout the novel, the world around Rukmani is constantly changing. From the advancement of the village to the several natural changes that occur. Once the tannery becomes introduced to the close knit community in which Rukmani lives in, it changes the economy of the village. It alters the economy because it presents the village with more competition in employment and in business. As well as changing the economy, the tannery also brings change to the environment. An influx of new workers flood the village along with their families. This produces a tremendous amount of pollution. Not only did the tannery alter the economy and the way of living in the village, but it also changes Rukmani’s family. Nathan originally planned for his ...

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... night as she thought she saw her creeping through the paddy field. Mistakenly, it was Ira. Rukmani's nightmare had no end as Ira explained to her about making money through prostitution. Rukmani understood and once again focused on reaching a better point in life.

In the aftermath of all this, Kamala Markandaya excellently portrays the theme, the power of the human spirit, through the obstacles that the tannery produces that challenge Rukmani, the difficulties from the changing environment around her, and the insanity that builds up inside of Rukmani because of these external issues. In retrospect, Nectar in a Sieve, excellently portrays the power of the human spirit because even though the odds are stacked against Rukmani, she continues moving forward with great resilience enduring the conflicts. By the end of the novel, Rukmani develops an immense internal power.