While reading about Manju, what truly stood out to me was her determination. She refuses to let her life and her past determine her future. She seems to be a very strong women. She put so much work into her dreams. Manju's extremely hard working, her time commitment to the future that she wants is inspirational. She reminds me so much of my older sister,Maggie. Who is so smart, but not just smart, she wants a better life for herself and is willing to do anything for it. Back when she was in high school she would watch over us and take care of us, while she had her classes which were all AP or Honors and she had a large time commitment to the theatre program. In the theatre program in high school she had a leadership role, as well as a leadership role in several other clubs. With all of this on her plate she always kept in mind what was the most important, which was her education and her future. That's why I see Manju in Maggie. These are two strong intelligent women how want to better themselves and better their situations. I also see an alienation from the mother is both people. Manju is not happy with her mother's decisions to have affairs. And with Maggie, she has always had an alienation from our mom. Whether it is was because she was so different from her or the fact that she is so similar we don't really know, but it is arguable that both women don't want to be like or even become their mothers. I have a lot of respect for Manju for what she is trying to do, as I have respect for anyone who works extremely had to make a better life for themselves. To have a dream is one thing, but to put everything is to making that dream happen is very admirable especially when you come from so little, like Manju.