Kenny's Use Of A Metaphor For The Poor

In chapter 19, Kenny uses a metaphor to express how the poor and suffering people in India never ask for help, and thus, never receive any aid to better their harsh lives. After Kenny employs Selvam, Rukmani’s youngest son, at his hospital that will be built, Rukmani goes to Kenny to thank him and ask him how he got the money to build the hospital. When he responds that he has thousands in money, Rukmani is surprised because Kenny had always lived like the poor. Kenny explains by saying, “Part of it came from my country and my people, part of it from yours” (Markandaya 111). Rukmani questions Kenny, and asks “why people who have not seen us and who know us not should do this for us” (Markandaya 111). Kenny explains that the people have the
money and want to help those suffering, and out of frustration tells Rukmani that “you must cry out if you want help. It is no use whatsoever to suffer in silence. Who will succour the drowning man if he does not clamour for his life” (Markandaya 111)? Kenny compares Rukmani to a man drowning in water who lets himself die because he does not ask for help from others. The people of India are suffering by living with their poverty, yet no one helps them for the other people do not know they are suffering. Kenny’s words are shocking and unknown to Rukmani, showing that the poor people of India do not even imagine strangers helping them for no benefit and that they see the world as a place where everyone must fend for themselves and their families. However, the truth is that other people around the world can help change their fate of poverty. Asking help from others is the way in which one can truly change their fate.