UNIVERSIDAD CATLICA ARGENTINA

Lengua Inglesa I Extensive reading

Lecturer: Constanza Ezcurra
Students name: Sofa Zanutti.
Deadline: April 25th, 2014
TASK 2: Find evidence in Fasting, Feasting (chapters 1-4) of Umas
resistance to the old culture.
The first four chapters of this novel by Anita Desai are going to give the
reader a general impression of the Indian culture. It is necessary to briefly
outline its main features in order to understand not only the manner in
which Uma goes against tradition but also the impact her behaviour is going
to bring about.
First of all, women were completely dismissed. This is seen many times:
- In my day, girls in the family were not given sweets, nuts, good
things to eat. If something special had been bought in the market, like
sweets or nuts, it was given to the boys in the family (p. 6)
- Mama sat as if stunned by his success, his prowess (Referring to
Papa) (p.8-9). It makes the reader believe that the happiness of a
woman was based on his husbands, they were neither independent
nor self-assertive.
- Arriving home, however, he (Papa) sprang out of the car, raced into
the house and shouted the news to whoever was there to hear.
Servants, elderly relatives, all gathered at door, and then saw the
most astounding sight of their lives Papa, in his elation, leaping over
three chairs in the hall, one after the other, like a boy playing leap-
flog, his arms flung up in the air and his hair flying. A boy! he
screamed, a bo-oy! Arun, Arun at last! (p.17). Here it is clearly seen
that boys were preferred to girls.
Secondly, the idea of fixed order is expressed. Customs were not put into
doubt, as evidenced by a short paragraph on page 24: The finger bowl is
placed before Papa. He dips his fingertips in and wipes them on the napkin.
He is the only one in the family who is given a napkin and a finger bowl;
they are emblems of his status.
Finally, only boys were brought up to be strong and well-educated. (This is
going to be depicted later on when describing Umas unwillingness to the
task her parents appointed her)
Umas reluctance to her own culture:
The main character was constantly receiving different orders from her
parents (the author employs the term MamaPapa to connote the excessive
bond which existed between both of them). However, Uma was not exactly a
submissive girl. This is supported by the evidence provided on page 4 and 5:
First go and tell cook, Uma. Tell cook fritters will not be enough. Papa wants
sweets [] Then come back and take dictation. Take down a letter for Arun.
[] Oh, oh, oh, parcel for Arun. Yes, yes, make up the parcel.
Umas response: Now you want me to write a letter? When I am busy
packing a parcel for Arun? [Uma flounces off, her gey hair frazzled, her
myopic eyes glaring behind her spectacles, muttering under her breath
(p. 4-5)

Besides, Uma had an untypicall relation with her father. She respected him
but up to some extent. Evidence is to be found on page 11. That Rover is
going to stop one day and never start again its so old. (p. 11) The
protagonist was talking about her fathers car a relic of Papas past.
Umas father would remain impassive, as if he prefers not to hear her.

After Arun had born, Uma was appointed as a kind of babysitter. She was
obliged to leave school and to take care of his younger brother:
We are not sending you back to school, Uma. You are staying at home to
help with Arun (p. 18)
He (Arun) needs proper attention. When Uma pointed out that ayah had
looked after her and Aruna as babies, Mamas expression made it clear it
was quite a different matter now, and she repeated threateningly:
Proper attention. (p.30).
Even though Uma was not a good student, she loved the lessons. This is
seen on many occasions, for example when the author describes her
attitude towards her studies Uma was at school before any other child, and
every day she searched for an excuse to stay on (p. 20-21)
Nevertheless, Uma rebelled: she decided to run away. Take me to St Marys
School, to St Marys school, quick (p. 26)

Another point to take into account is religion.

Umas mother was against it in a certain way. See what this nuns do []
What ideas they fill in the girls heads! I always said dont send them to a
convent school. Keep them at home (p. 29)
On the other hand, Uma with the arrival of Mira-masi, started to feel more
and more close to religion. Uma would listen to her relate those ancient
myths of Hinduism (p. 40)
There are two paragraphs that clearly describe how important worship
became to Uma: Then Uma [] felt that here was someone who could
pierce through the dreary outer world to an inner world, tantalising in
its colour and romance. If only it could replace this, Uma thought hungrily
(p. 40) / Uma felt she had been admitted to some sanctuary that had been
previously closed to her (p.42)
To conclude, Uma showed reluctant to the idea of getting married. What is
the use of going back to school if you keep failing, Uma? [] Youll be
happier at home. You wont need to do any lessons. You are a big girl now.
We are trying to arrange a marriage for you. [] She reached out her hand
to catch Umas. [] Uma wrenched her hand free (p.22)
The protagonist wanted to surpass herself, he loathed the mere thought of
depending on someone else (unlike her mother did).