What is your reaction to Manju? Does she remind you of anyone
you know? How is she like and unlike that person? What are the
principal characteristics of her identity?
Manju is a very fascinating
character in the book so far, mainly because of how vastly different she seems
to be from everyone else in Annawadi. Up until this point, everyone we have
been introduced to has had a hard demeanor about them. Because of the lifestyle
in Annawadi, people just seem thicker skinned, and tough. Tragedy, and hardship
don’t seem to deter them all that much, where as it truly affects Manju. For
instance, when Devo comes into Manju’s school after just being hit by a car, no
one seems to care except Manju. Devo’s mother is actually upset at her son for
being irresponsible and walking into the street. Manju is trying to clean his
wound and help him. His mother than starts to beat him, and Manju is the only
one who seems to truly feel compassion for the child. She has sincerity about
her, and an innocence that no one else in Annawadi possesses.
Manju actually reminds me of a few
people that I know, mainly because of her submission to her mother. Just as
some of the people I know, Manju allows her mother to run her life. While this
isn’t always a bad thing, seeing as “mother knows best,” it is appropriate,
however, to stand up for yourself every once and awhile. Manju has dreams of
becoming a teacher, but fears her mother will marry her off to someone who
doesn’t want her to work. She allows her mother to dictate every aspect of her
life, without a peep of interjection. This reminds me a lot of some people I
know.
Some of the principle
characteristics of her identity would be as follows: shy, submissive, and
caring. Manju does not speak out much, keeping everything to herself. She is
reserved in that way. Because of this, I think the submissive quality follows.
Without the guts to speak out, she never questions anything. She does exactly
as she is told, every time. This could possibly be just to avoid confrontation.
The reader is also aware that she passionate and caring at the same time. She
cares for her students, she has a friend Meena who she teaches English on the
side, and she had goals and ambitions in life.
Jordyn Hunter
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