The novel goes back and forth in time but takes place only in Old Delhi, going from
the late 1940s to approximately the 1970s. The entire novel takes place in the family
home. Although the characters leave the house for small amounts of time, the bulk of
the story takes place in the house. The house grows older with time, and its inhabitants either pass or move away; Bim and Baba are the only two who remain throughout the entire novel. The four parts of the story move back and forth in time from the sibling's childhood to adulthood in each of the four parts, although even these center around the family home, as well.
Posted by Mrs. N. Buffonge
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I realize this, the family home is like a symbol or a foundation for the entire story. Yes Tara and Raja left, but it only states where they went off to but does not use their new living areas as a setting. This takes me back to the old Cliche--Home is where the heart is--no matter where you travel in life, home will always be the place where you feel most comfortable...!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with part of Phylicia's comment. But it must be added that Tara was not comfortable at home. She didn't even seem to feel comfortable in her own skin. The home that she grew up in seemed to hold many bad memories and led to a lot of emotional baggage. She desperatly wanted them to change, just as she was forced to do.
ReplyDeleteAnd we can see that Raja didn't even want to come back... maybe home isn't really where the heart is
That is so true. I feel that is why Bimla became so resentful. She felt that there was suppose to be a sense of loyalty. It is quite obvious that was not the feeling for the other two siblings. To have to live a life that is filled with such sadness, unchanged, routine and unfulfillment of life that Bimla day after day had to face and life is very sad. Could Bimla be seen as a heroine. If you think so, why? What were her obstacles?
ReplyDeleteBimla can be considered to be a heroine from members of the Das Family and persons outside of the family. In reference to the former, Bimla has fought well for her family. When Raja was sick she took care of him along with Aunt Misra when she too fell ill (which eventually led to her fatality). Furthermore, as the other members of the family passed away and left from the house for a better living, Bim sacrificed her life to take care of Baba, who unfortunately has a mental disorder. In reference to the latter, Bimla is a teacher and so she helps the young by educating them
ReplyDeleteWhat are her obstacles? I feel Bim’s only obstacle is herself. She is afraid of evolution; fearful of change hence the reason why she never moves on with her life as the other siblings did. She had a chance to find and be in love but she rejected that opportunity when Dr. Biswas was actually trying to woo her. The alibi that she used to restrict herself from falling in love was her family. She said that she had to take care of Baba and Aunt Misra and so she would not have time for Dr. Biswas. I feel that if there is anyone else to blame about her present undesirable lifestyle is her.
In addition, I agree with Phylica in that the house can be regarded as a symbol, but a symbol of what? In my view, the house can be regarded as a symbol of unchanging reality. The fact that Bim and Baba are the ones left living in the house is ironic because those siblings remain the same entirely in attitude. Perhaps the only thing that can be considered as changed is their age.
As was stated before the Das Family house is seen as a symbol, moreover a symbol of, like Franchesca stated, unchanging reality. Despite the minor signs of aging, the house itself does not change, neither does its inhabitants. Bim remains in the house and her lifestyle never changes. Baba also remains in the house and his mental state remained the same. Both their lives seem stagnant in the sense that nothing about them seems to have ever changed throughout the course of the story.
ReplyDeleteI think with this novel the author Anita Desai,seems to focus mainly on the past rather than the present. Everything which happens within the novel is centred around the family home in Old Delhi,which as previously stated is infact a symbol. No matter what happens within the book the family home is always mentioned. We look at two characters within the novel Bimla(Bim) and Baba who are two central characters who remain in an unchanged state attached to the family home. Within this home lies the memories of many of the children. Many memories which are hard to forget. Memories which cant be changed. It is as if time goes still with this house in Old Delhi, when Tara arrives she states that nothing has changed the 'rosewalk' still remains in the same state. Everything remains the same years after she has returned.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of if whether or not Bim can be seen as a heroine I would definitely have to say that she can be seen as one.Bimla remained in the family home in order to take care of Baba. She nursed Raja back to good health when he was sick, and also took care of Aunt Mira. Bim gave up opportunities to take care of her family members especially Baba, how many people do we know in life who would past up make sacrifices such as Bim did. Take for example, Dr. Biswas was interested in her and most likely even wanted to marry her but she refused to pay him any interest because she believed at that time her family needed her most. The fact that Bim can be thought of as a heroine also has a downside. As Franchesca stated the obstacle which she faced was her own self for she was quite afraid of change.She used the excuse of having to take care of her family members, especially Baba because she was so afraid of change. She could not handle it.The obstacle which she faced wass indeed her ownself, for she was not able to embrace something new.
The Das family home represents a symbol of unchanged lifestyles and people, mainly Bimla and Baba. The novel does switch between time, but when the story is told about Old dehli it states that Bim takes on the motherly role for taking care of Raja when he was sick, Aunt Misra-masi and Baba. These actually put a strain on Bimla and she decided that she just doesn't want change because she has to take care of her family. She did give up opportunities to take care of the family, even not wanting to be with anyone but her family, [refusing to marry Biswas].
ReplyDeleteBim was kind of a heroine because she put her family first and all things would have to come after, because since everyone left [Raja and Tara], and others died [Misra-masi] she had to take care of Baba and herself. Bim and Baba were happy about Dehli but Tara wasn't because she thought that Old Dehli would change upon her return, but was surprised that it hadn't.
The family home does indeed represent things which have remained the same. Take for example all action within the novel surrounds the Das's family home. Bim and Babaa are two characters who remain in the family home and just as the home represents a symbol of remaining in an unchanged state, Bim and Baba have not changed in any way, thugh Baba cannot be blamed for his unchanged state, Bim choses to remain in her unchanged state since she fears change so much.
ReplyDeleteYes Bim was a heroine for she made sacrifices for her family, however as stated above the obstacle which she faced was her ownself for she did not want to move on she wanted to remain in her home stuck in her past and used the fact that she had to take care of Baba as an excuse.
The family home is a symbol of things unchanged. All the action and suspense builds towards it. The Das family home represents old Delhi where nothing ever changes and there is no sense of freedom. This is a possible reason why Raja and Tara were so eager to leave their childhood home. Whereas their sister Bim who is one of the characters who represents sameness along with her brother Baba remained in their childhood home. This is not surprising.
ReplyDelete