Fasting, Feasting by Anita Dessai. Description of the main Characters

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Fasting,

Feasting

Anita Dessai

Characters

Uma

Uma is the main character in the book and the author's symbol for the grossly subservient role of women, especially in Indian society. The portrait painted of Uma is one of a not especially pretty girl who is clumsy, slow, and not academically inclined. Uma has an earnest desire to learn, despite her handicaps, because she seeks stimulation outside the confining world in the home of her parents. Uma's world narrows even more when she is removed from the convent school in order to help care for her newborn brother, Arun. This act will destroy Uma's source of joy and hope. In keeping with Indian customs, girls are raised to be married and boys to be educated, a premise which will ultimately destroy Uma's spirit and opportunities for a fulfilling life. According to Indian tradition, the older daughter in the family must be married before a younger sister can marry. Attempts to arrange marriages for Uma end disastrously, leaving Uma to live the life of a spinster and to step aside so that her younger sister, Aruna, may marry. It is not only society that oppresses Uma, but her own parents as well. Papa has never considered education a necessity for girls. When Uma is of a marriageable age, it is Mama who tries to package Uma more attractively in order to get rid of her. With failed marriage attempts and no hope of outside employment, Uma retreats into her own world of simple pleasures: a Christmas card collection, a book of poems, and sitting on the veranda when Mama and Papa are out for the evening. As the novel progresses, Uma reaches her mid-forties yet lives the life of a subservient child trapped in a world she has no power to change.

MamaPapa

Uma considers her parents to be one person because they are so inextricably intertwined in their thoughts and actions. In her mind, Uma even refers to them as one name: MamaPapa. To Uma, this combined source is the center of all power in her universe, because of their direct effect over her life every day. Papa works as a lawyer, a position he had worked hard to achieve.He feels that the proper image for someone in his position is critical. Although Papa is slightly untraditional in some of his approaches, he serves meat in his home and enjoys playing cricket and drinking whisky. Most of what Papa does is to maintain appearance and decorum. Mama is the perfect match for Papa because she completely sublimates herself to Papa's needs in order to maintain an orderly household and to present the proper image to the community.

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MamaPapa are so clear in their personal codes and their family mission that they seem an impenetrable force to their children. The household is one of rules, structure and not much joy. Papa's life, as the father of two daughters, is quite unfulfilled until Mama has a son later in life. This gives Papa new meaning for living. Papa invests all his time and much money into achieving the best education and opportunities for his son, Arun, while the daughters are merely maintained until they become of marriageable age.

Most of Papa's interactions with Uma are of frustration and impatience ...

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