Fasting Feasting by Anita Desai
Part 1, Chapters 1 and 2 Summary
Anita Desai's novel of intricate family relations plays out in two countries, India and the United States. The core characters comprise a family living in a small town in India, where provincial customs and attitudes dictate the futures of all children: girls are to be married off and boys are to become as educated as possible. The story contrasts the life of the main character, Uma, the family's older daughter, with Arun, the boy and baby of the family. Uma spends her life in subservience to her older demanding parents, while massive effort and energy is expended to insure Arun's education and placement in a university in Massachusetts.
As the story begins, Uma's parents, Mama and Papa, swing on the veranda of their home and issue orders to Uma related to housekeeping duties. Uma silently but begrudgingly obeys. Uma relates to the housekeeper some of Mama's domestic orders for the...
Part 1, Chapters 3 and 4 Summary
Uma is now twenty years old and firmly entrenched in the household, tending to both Mama and Papa's demands. One day, Uma stealthily leaves the house with some money she has saved and escapes to St. Mary's School, the convent school, where she hopes to plead with Mother Agnes to continue her education. When Uma arrives at the school, she frantically searches the classrooms until she encounters Mother Agnes and collapses in a weeping mess at the nun's feet.
Unfortunately, Mother Agnes does not rally to Uma's defense and encourages Uma to concentrate on her domestic duties, which are also important for young women to learn. When Mother Agnes attempts to steady Uma in preparation for leaving the school, Uma collapses again, this time writhing and foaming at the mouth. Eventually, Uma recovers and is returned home in the school's van, accompanied by one of the school nuns.
Mama's fury...
Part 1, Chapter 5 Summary
Uma's world suddenly brightens one day when her adventurous cousin, Ramu, arrives unannounced for a visit. Mama
Anita Desai's novel of intricate family relations plays out in two countries, India and the United States. The core characters comprise a family living in a small town in India, where provincial customs and attitudes dictate the futures of all children: girls are to be married off and boys are to become as educated as possible. The story contrasts the life of the main character, Uma, the family's older daughter, with Arun, the boy and baby of the family. Uma spends her life in subservience to her older demanding parents, while massive effort and energy is expended to insure Arun's education and placement in a university in Massachusetts.
As the story begins, Uma's parents, Mama and Papa, swing on the veranda of their home and issue orders to Uma related to housekeeping duties. Uma silently but begrudgingly obeys. Uma relates to the housekeeper some of Mama's domestic orders for the...
Part 1, Chapters 3 and 4 Summary
Uma is now twenty years old and firmly entrenched in the household, tending to both Mama and Papa's demands. One day, Uma stealthily leaves the house with some money she has saved and escapes to St. Mary's School, the convent school, where she hopes to plead with Mother Agnes to continue her education. When Uma arrives at the school, she frantically searches the classrooms until she encounters Mother Agnes and collapses in a weeping mess at the nun's feet.
Unfortunately, Mother Agnes does not rally to Uma's defense and encourages Uma to concentrate on her domestic duties, which are also important for young women to learn. When Mother Agnes attempts to steady Uma in preparation for leaving the school, Uma collapses again, this time writhing and foaming at the mouth. Eventually, Uma recovers and is returned home in the school's van, accompanied by one of the school nuns.
Mama's fury...
Part 1, Chapter 5 Summary
Uma's world suddenly brightens one day when her adventurous cousin, Ramu, arrives unannounced for a visit. Mama