The tone of the last third of the book, gives the reader different meanings. At first, things are not so bad for Lakshmi. She has become "friends" with Monica, she is learning words from Harish, and she sometimes thinks about the "hugging man". Then, all of a sudden, things go bad. Lakshmi gets sick, Harish and Pushpa have to leave, and Monica comes back to the "Happiness House". The tone of this third of the book, switches from hopeful and "let's make the best out of it", to sad and "I am worthless". Then it goes back to hope, when the American arrives with the police. "I see my American." (263). At first, Lakshmi tries to forget about the American, thinking he is a liar. When he does show up, Lakshmi is torn between two stories, neither of which she knows is true. She decides to act quickly, and believe an American. This shows that trusting a stranger is better than trusting the person that gives you shelter in a "Happiness House" in India.
My favorite part of the book, is when Lakshmi tries to communicate with the second American. Although she doesn't understand things that he is trying to tell her , she wants to try and escape from the "Happiness House" so badly, that she says random things. "Elmo" "Ice Cream" "America" (247-248). This part of the book symbolizes a time, when Lakshmi is so broken from this house, and Mumtaz, that she would trust a stranger, and do anything it takes, to create a change in the way things are. It is a moment when Lakshmi symbolically stands up for herself, to make a change in the way she is being treated.
Lilly I agree with you're post, if you were to go back and read my post #3 you would see that I emphasized the fact that Lakshmi would do "Whatever It Takes" (pg. 228) to return home. I noticed this point when Lakshmi begins taking money from those who are drunk or asking for extra from men who are deformed. In her previous life she would never steal money from someone especially because she knows how hard it is to obtain it. She has lived a poor life, but at this point she is in such a state of misery and mis-treament that she is willing to result to one of the worst crimes. She will take money (although these men kind of deserve it) and do "Whatever It Takes" to get out of the Happiness House.
ReplyDeleteHowever in this post, you pointed out yet another scene where Lakshmi results to doing whatever it takes. This truly is a time when she is yearning for a change, she goes as far as to trust an American stranger who she has specifically been warned about. Not matter what the consequence is she figures it couldn't possibly be as terrible as the "Happiness House" and is worth it to regain her freedom.