Nectar In A Sieve By Kamala Markandaya
Throughout the course of the book, Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya, incessant misfortune follows Rukmani, the main character, illustrating the theme that no matter how good and consistent life may feel in the moment, there are always more obstacles to come.
Time and time again, Rukmani settles down in a stable environment only to have it ripped away from her. One of the main examples the book describes is her initial days living with her husband, Nathan. At first, the food is plentiful and their land is fertile. However, as the years go on they soon realize that Rukmani is unable to give birth. A great flood threatens their crops and the couple get their first taste of poverty. They catch a glimmer of hope after she visits Kenny
the doctor but after nine months of waiting they are sorely saddened when she gives birth to a baby girl. In her culture girls are not as desirable as boys and Rukmani is disappointed in herself. Her disappointment soon turns into joy after she gives birth to many sons. However, after this, their luck takes a turn for the worse when the tannery begins construction.
The tannery is initially seen as a blessing by readers even though Rukmani herself is skeptical of it. With her boys working in the tannery for money the family could afford new luxuries. Ira, Rukmani's daughter gets married and there is a great celebration. But with the tannery also comes increased prices. Soon they could not afford to go to the market and a devasting drought wiped out all of the crops on their land. Ira's marriage fell apart because she too could not bear children with her husband so she was returned to her mother and father. With too many mouths to feed the family struggled to put food on their plates resulting in the death of her youngest child. One of Rukmani's son's is killed by the tannery and her other sons lost their jobs for speaking up about wages. The once “blessing” that was the tannery turned into a curse.
Nectar in a Sieve tells of the struggles of one women’s story but also reminds readers that a stable life is one to hope for but they may never receive. Rukmani had to be prepared for all of the challenges placed on her shoulders even in the most unexpected of times.
Time and time again, Rukmani settles down in a stable environment only to have it ripped away from her. One of the main examples the book describes is her initial days living with her husband, Nathan. At first, the food is plentiful and their land is fertile. However, as the years go on they soon realize that Rukmani is unable to give birth. A great flood threatens their crops and the couple get their first taste of poverty. They catch a glimmer of hope after she visits Kenny
the doctor but after nine months of waiting they are sorely saddened when she gives birth to a baby girl. In her culture girls are not as desirable as boys and Rukmani is disappointed in herself. Her disappointment soon turns into joy after she gives birth to many sons. However, after this, their luck takes a turn for the worse when the tannery begins construction.
The tannery is initially seen as a blessing by readers even though Rukmani herself is skeptical of it. With her boys working in the tannery for money the family could afford new luxuries. Ira, Rukmani's daughter gets married and there is a great celebration. But with the tannery also comes increased prices. Soon they could not afford to go to the market and a devasting drought wiped out all of the crops on their land. Ira's marriage fell apart because she too could not bear children with her husband so she was returned to her mother and father. With too many mouths to feed the family struggled to put food on their plates resulting in the death of her youngest child. One of Rukmani's son's is killed by the tannery and her other sons lost their jobs for speaking up about wages. The once “blessing” that was the tannery turned into a curse.
Nectar in a Sieve tells of the struggles of one women’s story but also reminds readers that a stable life is one to hope for but they may never receive. Rukmani had to be prepared for all of the challenges placed on her shoulders even in the most unexpected of times.