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The Shadow Lines

by Amitav Ghosh

The Shadow Lines Character List

The Narrator
The protagonist of the novel is its unnamed narrator. He is a young boy born and raised in Calcutta. He narrates the
events of his early life, leaping back and forth in time. He adores his uncle, Tridib, and enjoys his stories about history
and foreign places. His view of the world is significantly shaped by what Tridib shares with him. He is also in love with
his cousin Ila and repeatedly feels hurt by her distant manner. Finally, he is unsettled by his grandmother's intense
nationalism. In the first half of the book, he recounts his memories of Calcutta and London. In the second, he
describes the events leading up to Tridib's death. His narration frequently features digressions about history and
politics, as he ponders the way in which events reverberate across time and space. It is later revealed that he pursues
a graduate degree in history.

Tridib
Tridib is the narrator's uncle. He is described as sensitive and worldly. The narrator treats him with a great deal of
admiration and respect. At the same time, the narrator is occasionally puzzled by the mysteries of his past. He refuses
to use his family's status to move ahead in his career. As a child, he lived in London with the Price family while he was
receiving medical care. He develops romantic feelings for May Price as they engage in an exchange of letters. In the
second half of the book, the narrator recounts his visit to Dhaka with their grandmother. He dies at the hands of a
mob while trying to protect May.

Tha'mma
Th'amma is the narrator's grandmother. Originally born in Dhaka, she becomes the headmistress of an all-girls school
in Calcutta and moves there earlier in her life. She is respected within the community and by the narrator's family and
is portrayed as patient and strong-willed. At the same time, the narrator notes the unnerving quality of her nationalist
fervor as well as her rampant classism. She dislikes both Ila and Tridib, the former for her abandonment of India and

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the latter for his refusal to use his family connections. Their relationship deteriorates significantly by the end of her
life, culminating in her sending a letter to his university recommending that he be expelled. Her determination to
bring her uncle home from Dhaka results in Tridib's death.

Ila
Ila is the narrator's cousin. The narrator is romantically interested in her from a young age and frequently feels hurt by
her flippant treatment of him. When he inadvertently reveals his feelings, she expresses sympathy. She shows an
inclination to be dishonest at times, fabricating stories that make her life seem more glamorous. She comes from a
wealthier background than the narrator and, seemingly as a result, treats foreign places with casual boredom. Later in
life, she shows a strong preference for Western culture, as she believes India is stifling her freedom. She marries Nick
Price and stays with him even after he cheats on her with multiple women.

May Price
May is a family friend of Tridib and the narrator. She is a professional oboist with a British orchestra. She develops a
close epistolary friendship with Tridib and eventually finds herself falling in love with him. The narrator visits her on a
few occasions and discusses memories of Tridib. She eventually tells him that she blames herself for his death.

Nick
Nick is the younger brother of May and a close friend of Ila's. He is described as having long, blond hair. He
frequently makes lofty comments about the future of business and industry, though it is revealed that he lost one of
his jobs because he was accused of embezzlement. He marries Ila, who treats him with reverence throughout the
book. The narrator expresses jealousy and frustration towards him. It is later revealed that he is engaging in multiple
affairs, though the marriage still continues.

Shaheb
Shaheb is Tridib's father. He is characterized as being thoroughly Europeanized in a way that the narrator's
grandmother finds distasteful. She repeatedly describes him as useless. His promotion to a post in Dhaka precipitates
their trip there.

Mayadebi
Mayadebi is Tridib's mother and Th'amma's sister. She is described as decisive and strong.

Jethamoshai
Jethamoshai is Th'amma's uncle. She describes his efforts to care for her family in her youth. She travels to Dhaka in
an effort to "rescue" him, only to cause his death at the hands of a violent mob.

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7/12/24, 5:12 PM The Shadow Lines Characters | GradeSaver

Mrs. Price
Mrs. Price is Nick and May's mother. She is depicted as friendly and polite, if sometimes oblivious to her children's
lives.

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guide/character-list in MLA Format
Melendez, John. Cooper, James ed. "The Shadow Lines Characters". GradeSaver, 18 August 2022 Web. 12 July 2024.
The Shadow Lines Questions and Answers
The Question and Answer section for The Shadow Lines is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss
the novel.

Why did Tridib drop by the narrator's
house occasionally?
Tridib is the narrator's uncle. He visits the
house occasionally to see his family.
Asked by Devprakash B #1272360
Answered by jill d #170087 2 months ago
5/15/2024 1:00 AM
How did Tridib's and May price's family
connect?
In Part One, the narrator tells the story of
Lionel Tresawsen, Nick and May's
grandfather, who befriended the narrator's
great-grandfather. The families connected
because of their friendship.
Asked by Devprakash B #1272360
Answered by jill d #170087 2 years ago
12/28/2022 11:51 PM
What is Tridib's position in his friend
circle?
Tridib is just that.... a friend. He has no
pretensions, he enjoys conversation and
comaraderie, and people seem to value him
as well.
Asked by Devprakash B #1272360
Answered by jill d #170087 2 years ago
12/28/2022 11:49 PM

Lesson Plan for The Shadow Lines

About the Author
Study Objectives
Common Core Standards
Introduction to The Shadow Lines
Relationship to Other Books
Bringing in Technology
Notes to the Teacher
Related Links
The Shadow Lines Bibliography

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