Critical analysis of a book, Nectar in a Sieve Essay

Critical analysis of a book, Nectar in a Sieve - Essay ExampleThe insinuate of change provided in the lower status of Rukmanis marriage is carried forward with the building of the tannery in her husbands village. Conflicts of tradition and the outside world beget to insinuate themselves into Rukmanis life, bringing change almost faster than she can adjust. Struggling through poverty and heartbreak, as well as the changing socioeconomic culture of their village, Rukmani demonstrates a quiet, pragmatic dignity that is concerned with life. By telling the story of a young Indian woman as she weds her husband and grows obsolete with him, raises a family and suffers several hardships along the way, author Kamala Markandaya strives to present a picture of a changing world and how it is the love of a family that overcomes these tremendous challenges.Markandayas new is a fictional account of an Indian womans experience in the rural villages of India presented in first-person narrative voi ce from Rukmanis perspective. Because she never provides a village name or date, it is impossible to determine exactly when the story is taking place, giving it a timeless quality that speaks equally today as it did when it was written, shortly after India became independent of Britain. Some readers of Nectar in a Sieve see Kamala Markandayas portrayal of Indian peasants as mythlike. One picture often mentioned as a model for Rukmani is the goddess Sita. Sita emerged from the earth into life when her stepfather was plowing his fields and became the wife of the Hindu god Rama. In the great epic poem Ramayana, Sita is a symbol of devotion, never-ending effort, and self-sacrifice. In art, she is often shown gazing at Rama with blissful happiness (Study Guide, n.d.). Rukmani is indeed presented as the epitome of self-sacrifice and patience within the novel, consistently working to uphold the traditional beliefs of her