The Hero's Walk Q&A:
1. Which of the seven main characters was your favorite and why? My favorite character, though I found Maya to be very likable, Nandana to be remarkably strong and Arun to be quietly wise, was definitely Nirmala. She has some of the best qualities to look for in people; loyal, trustworthy, caring, full of hope and kindness. Above all, she is a mom, biologically to Maya and Arun, but also to her extended family, caring deeply for Putti, their maid Koti and even her mother-in-law Ammayya. She portrays the struggles and sacrifice that parents go through every day, living and doing the best she can for her family. I also found her impressive because her identity. Though she originally seems irresolute and unable to stand up against anyone, not her husband, not her mother-in-law, she reveals later in the novel a surprising tenacity and confidence. Under the tender cover of motherly love, she demonstrates a long-suppressed ability to better her world. She has the ability to see clearly what changes those around her need most, and by the end of the novel, she has settled into this newfound confidence and she is able to act as a pragmatist and accomplish these changes efficiently. Nirmala is a selfless individual, able to put up with anything affecting herself but now ready to stand up for anything harmful to those she loves. I admire her hugely for her strength, wisdom and selflessness, and because of who she has proved to me that she truly is, she is my favorite.
2. Sripathi keeps his passion for writing letters to editor a secret from his wife. Why does he do this? What does this secrecy reveal about his character? Sripathi's secrecy in regards to his letter writing reveals to me a sense of insecurity. All through his life, any confidence he managed to scrap together has been continuously undermined by his parents lack of support and general dissatisfaction with him. Sripathi needs something to cling to, a sense of importance that is all his own. He needs the affirmation that he is making a positive change in the world, that his existence is not pointless. The fact that he keeps this outlet to himself, not even sharing this activity with his wife proves how profoundly he was scarred by his childhood. He cannot even let Nirmala in on the secret for fear that if he does, it will shatter before his eyes and cease to mean anything.
3. What is your opinion of Ammayya, the widowed mother of Sripathi? Was her bitterness justified? Why do you think Ammayya stole things from her own family? In Ammayya's case, it is obvious where her bitterness emanates from. Beginning at the much too raw age of thirteen, she was forcefully thrust into a life way beyond her maturity. She is beyond damaged, incapable of love and barely able to trust those who are the very closest to her. She has been put through hell for almost sixty years of her eighty-two. But even with the backing of all these reasons, is she justified in acting out bitterly and stealing from her own family? In my opinion, it should at least be taken into consideration. She is the product being used thoughtlessly by those around her. Her bitterness is certainly justifiable, and we can even optimistically assume that, if it was within her capabilities, Ammayya would have healed and forgiven for how much she was wronged in life. On this pretext of assumption, we can then consider that it was perhaps impossible for her to heal, that her scars run so deep that she would never have succeeded in unloading this colossal burden of suffering. Ammayya's habit of stealing from her family is slightly more disturbing than her eternal bitterness towards others. Her attitude of righteousness, of utterly zero guilt in robbing her family is undoubtably engendered from her past of owning very little and scraping together any wealth to protect it with utmost care. It is also extremely likely that the fact that Ammayya has sacrificed so much for her family, culture and traditions, literally her entire life, she feels entitled to what little wealth and prosperity that they have to offer.
4. After her daughter Maya dies, Nirmala has an argument with her husband, during which she exclaims: "I am tired of behaving myself!" By the end of the book, has Nirmala stopped behaving herself? If so, how? Nirmala is made an exceptional character through this transformation of eager-to-please, good little Brahmin housewife to confident, able, strong and decisive mother to her large and unconventional family. I believe that Nirmala has stopped behaving herself, but that this transformation is throughly positive. It is not that she has decided to up and contradict everything her culture and traditions stand for, but now, now she is unwilling to accept injustice.
5. At Sripathi's youthful initiation ceremony, his father escorts his mistress out of the hall, and leaves Ammayya and Sripathi in the celebration hall. Afterwards, Sripathi says to himself: "Never would he fail in his duty to his family or subject them to such shame." Has he succeeded? To what does Sripathi fee a sense of duty? Though Sripathi seriously struggles throughout the novel to support his family and do what is best for them, the fact that he does struggle so much gives evidence to how much he tries. He worries constantly and is overcome with guilt much of the time, but these are all signs that his intentions are to honor his duty to his family. He feels that it is his duty to be a strong head of his family, which includes making just decisions, keeping order, supporting them financially and, perhaps most importantly, making them proud. I believe that though Sripathi's decisions have not always had positive consequences, though order in their house is, well, disordered, and though their finances are in serious trouble, Sripathi has made them proud in his efforts. Under the circumstances, he has done the best he can to support his family, and I appreciate that his duty is immense and even tackling it without shying means that much effort has gone towards it.
6. How does Maya's family react to her breaking off her engagement to Prakash in order to marry Alan? Did her argument that she was truly in love with Alan, not Prakash, meant much to Sripathi and Nirmala? Did "love" justify Maya's change of heart? The aspect I find interesting about the passage where we learn how Maya's intentions to marry Alan were revealed is actually the introduction. Just before learning of the news, he refers to the tale of Chicken Little, who had a leaf on his head and immediately assumes the worst; the sky is falling. This huge hint in foreshadowing is extremely ironic, as Sripathi sees the chicken as frightened and overreacting, beyond logical reasoning, and then, as the Maya's news arrives, he acts similarly, barely above the point of reasoning. As with Chicken Little, this leaf of news that alights upon his head is so foreign and terrifying that it feels as though his world of harmony and happiness will come crashing down around him.
The family's reaction to Maya's news is marked with several ensuing emotions, the most prominent being disbelief. Sripathi and Nirmala cannot fathom why their beloved little girl would do such a thing. Both of them have conceded so much in their lives to conform with what is expected of them in their culture. Neither has ever questioned the rules they were brought up with, accepting them as ways of life. Now, their modern, cultivated daughter, who they were minutes ago bursting with pride for, has decided that these rules of life should not apply to her. Although from what we know about Maya's personality we know that she is not selfish or egoistic, in this instance she is resolutely putting her own needs first. ""It is not honorable for a girl to do what you are doing. Our reputation has to be considered. Ammayya will be upset, and think of your poor Putti Atthey's matrimonial prospects." He poured all his distress into his letter, his frustration with her increasing with every word." (p. 112, Rau Badami). The next emotions caught between Sripathi and Nirmala are guilt and blame. They briefly blame each other and wonder if it was their parenting that caused this insanity, but this flood of emotions is quickly redirected to an effort to convince Maya to change her mind and return. When she does not, all the energy from these emotions builds and intensifies and metamorphoses to anger on Sripathi's part, fueling his opposition to his daughter for nine long years.
In terms of Maya's love, I believe that Nirmala was much more accepting to this explanation than Sripathi. As Sripathi was raised in a home with parents whose relationship was very obviously not founded on love but rather on who fit together well, and as he was also proposed a relationship based on who fit him well (culture, horoscopes, etc.), this notion of marrying someone simply for love is foreign to him. Personally, I feel that in modern times people should have the right and the ability to marry uniquely for love, but I also understand where Sripathi is coming from in his refusal to accept this huge cultural contradiction. It is a large part of who he is, and his precious daughter is, in some ways, disrespecting it.
7.Why do you think Badami took so much time and care over the details of everyday life? What does this add to your sense of the characters, and to the way they move through life? The details and imagery in Badami's novel are the very foundation of the novel's concept. Much of the novel's elements are founded on cultural and regional aspects of life in Toturpuram on the Bay of Bengal, and as much of her large audience may have difficulties placing themselves amidst life in this town, her descriptions are all we have. They make the novel much more tangible and imaginable, and without them, many aspects, such as characters, places or reactions would be unconvincing and implausible to a Western audience.
8. Did the diversity in the women's roles surprise you? What were your conceptions of women's roles in India before you read this book? What are they now? Surprisingly, the diversity did not surprise me. I had previous knowledge that times are changing world wide and that many traditions and cultures are evolving, and though I was slightly surprised and pleased as the daughter was supported in going off to a foreign university even as the son stayed home to study, most of the novel fell within my previously developed conceptions about Indian culture and roles. Nirmala is the full time, fussing motherly role who takes care of everyone at home, Sripathi is the father who handles finances, goes to work every day and makes the significant decisions. I knew that caring for elderly parents is also a part of this culture, so having Ammayya live with them so that she can be better cared for was also normal. Marriage was, as I had expected, an important aspect of the book and a relevant part of the culture, especially highlighted for the women.
9. How does Arun's knowledge about sea turtles help to shift Sripathi's opinion of him? What has Sripathi been overlooking about Arun? The moment on the beach at dusk is very arguably the most important and meaningful moment in the novel, relatable to countless other instances. The fact that Arun has quietly kept this magical occurrence to himself, quietly witnessing this annual miracle, displays deep and perceptive wisdom. Sripathi's previous judgements of his son are all ones that have led to disappointment, that Arun has not succeeded at this, or managed to do well at that, not looking at what Arun is able to accomplish and what he is good at. "It had annoyed him, this annual ritual, when Arun disappeared a ten in the night and came home only after dawn - collecting the eggs, he had said so elusively, so sure of Sripathi's disapproval that he had ventured no further explanation." (p.356, Rau Badami). It is simply Arun's way. Not to brag or to share excitedly, but to show, to prove through actions and moments such as this one. You have to come to him, not the other way around. Sripathi, all these years, has been misunderstanding his son, and not making the effort to do otherwise. Finally, with the death of his mother and his forgiveness to himself, he is back to the identity he believes in, and a large part of this identity is being a father. "What a strange man he had fathered. Arun had slipped through twenty-eight years of existence gently, rewarded for it by Sripathi's irritation, hid disappointment, even his contempt." (p.356, Rau Badami). After finally making an attempt to see the world from Arun's perspective, Sripathi is completely awed and his respect for his son grows tenfold. All it took was for him to make the effort.
10. "The whole business of living, I think, is an act of heroism," says Anita Rau Badami, the book's author. By this definition, there are many acts of heroism in The Hero's Walk. Which acts, for you, stand out? The countless acts of heroism in The Hero's Walk make it difficult to choose simply one. This definition gives heroism such a unique and universal feel. Living life can be a challenge at times. It seems to me what Badami is saying is that we are all heros, in little ways or grand gestures, but the fact that she recognizes the heroism is everyday life is extremely perceptive. "Any idiot can face a crisis, it's the day-to-day living that wears you out." (Chekov, Anton). Perhaps daily living is even more of a struggle than the great deeds that Heros and Heroines face in great tales and escapades. Perhaps the will, the push to continue on after a hard day is more challenging than anything in life. For this reason, the heroism that stands out to me is Sripathi's own. He has faced his parents' disappointment nearly every day of his life. He is responsible for an entire family's well-being. Many of the others come to him when they themselves are in difficulties or hold him accountable for their struggles. He is in a job that does not respect him. He is constantly taken advantage of. He has such an enormous burden to shoulder every single day when he awakes, and still, he manages. He gets through it. Later in the novel, he starts to do even more than tread the murky waters of the life he has created. He rediscovers himself and he rediscovers the joy of living, even through all these struggles. Just like the majestic turtles at dusk and like Badami's own definition, Sripathi manages to live, and that, in my opinion, is the most heroic act of all.
1. Which of the seven main characters was your favorite and why? My favorite character, though I found Maya to be very likable, Nandana to be remarkably strong and Arun to be quietly wise, was definitely Nirmala. She has some of the best qualities to look for in people; loyal, trustworthy, caring, full of hope and kindness. Above all, she is a mom, biologically to Maya and Arun, but also to her extended family, caring deeply for Putti, their maid Koti and even her mother-in-law Ammayya. She portrays the struggles and sacrifice that parents go through every day, living and doing the best she can for her family. I also found her impressive because her identity. Though she originally seems irresolute and unable to stand up against anyone, not her husband, not her mother-in-law, she reveals later in the novel a surprising tenacity and confidence. Under the tender cover of motherly love, she demonstrates a long-suppressed ability to better her world. She has the ability to see clearly what changes those around her need most, and by the end of the novel, she has settled into this newfound confidence and she is able to act as a pragmatist and accomplish these changes efficiently. Nirmala is a selfless individual, able to put up with anything affecting herself but now ready to stand up for anything harmful to those she loves. I admire her hugely for her strength, wisdom and selflessness, and because of who she has proved to me that she truly is, she is my favorite.
2. Sripathi keeps his passion for writing letters to editor a secret from his wife. Why does he do this? What does this secrecy reveal about his character? Sripathi's secrecy in regards to his letter writing reveals to me a sense of insecurity. All through his life, any confidence he managed to scrap together has been continuously undermined by his parents lack of support and general dissatisfaction with him. Sripathi needs something to cling to, a sense of importance that is all his own. He needs the affirmation that he is making a positive change in the world, that his existence is not pointless. The fact that he keeps this outlet to himself, not even sharing this activity with his wife proves how profoundly he was scarred by his childhood. He cannot even let Nirmala in on the secret for fear that if he does, it will shatter before his eyes and cease to mean anything.
3. What is your opinion of Ammayya, the widowed mother of Sripathi? Was her bitterness justified? Why do you think Ammayya stole things from her own family? In Ammayya's case, it is obvious where her bitterness emanates from. Beginning at the much too raw age of thirteen, she was forcefully thrust into a life way beyond her maturity. She is beyond damaged, incapable of love and barely able to trust those who are the very closest to her. She has been put through hell for almost sixty years of her eighty-two. But even with the backing of all these reasons, is she justified in acting out bitterly and stealing from her own family? In my opinion, it should at least be taken into consideration. She is the product being used thoughtlessly by those around her. Her bitterness is certainly justifiable, and we can even optimistically assume that, if it was within her capabilities, Ammayya would have healed and forgiven for how much she was wronged in life. On this pretext of assumption, we can then consider that it was perhaps impossible for her to heal, that her scars run so deep that she would never have succeeded in unloading this colossal burden of suffering. Ammayya's habit of stealing from her family is slightly more disturbing than her eternal bitterness towards others. Her attitude of righteousness, of utterly zero guilt in robbing her family is undoubtably engendered from her past of owning very little and scraping together any wealth to protect it with utmost care. It is also extremely likely that the fact that Ammayya has sacrificed so much for her family, culture and traditions, literally her entire life, she feels entitled to what little wealth and prosperity that they have to offer.
4. After her daughter Maya dies, Nirmala has an argument with her husband, during which she exclaims: "I am tired of behaving myself!" By the end of the book, has Nirmala stopped behaving herself? If so, how? Nirmala is made an exceptional character through this transformation of eager-to-please, good little Brahmin housewife to confident, able, strong and decisive mother to her large and unconventional family. I believe that Nirmala has stopped behaving herself, but that this transformation is throughly positive. It is not that she has decided to up and contradict everything her culture and traditions stand for, but now, now she is unwilling to accept injustice.
5. At Sripathi's youthful initiation ceremony, his father escorts his mistress out of the hall, and leaves Ammayya and Sripathi in the celebration hall. Afterwards, Sripathi says to himself: "Never would he fail in his duty to his family or subject them to such shame." Has he succeeded? To what does Sripathi fee a sense of duty? Though Sripathi seriously struggles throughout the novel to support his family and do what is best for them, the fact that he does struggle so much gives evidence to how much he tries. He worries constantly and is overcome with guilt much of the time, but these are all signs that his intentions are to honor his duty to his family. He feels that it is his duty to be a strong head of his family, which includes making just decisions, keeping order, supporting them financially and, perhaps most importantly, making them proud. I believe that though Sripathi's decisions have not always had positive consequences, though order in their house is, well, disordered, and though their finances are in serious trouble, Sripathi has made them proud in his efforts. Under the circumstances, he has done the best he can to support his family, and I appreciate that his duty is immense and even tackling it without shying means that much effort has gone towards it.
6. How does Maya's family react to her breaking off her engagement to Prakash in order to marry Alan? Did her argument that she was truly in love with Alan, not Prakash, meant much to Sripathi and Nirmala? Did "love" justify Maya's change of heart? The aspect I find interesting about the passage where we learn how Maya's intentions to marry Alan were revealed is actually the introduction. Just before learning of the news, he refers to the tale of Chicken Little, who had a leaf on his head and immediately assumes the worst; the sky is falling. This huge hint in foreshadowing is extremely ironic, as Sripathi sees the chicken as frightened and overreacting, beyond logical reasoning, and then, as the Maya's news arrives, he acts similarly, barely above the point of reasoning. As with Chicken Little, this leaf of news that alights upon his head is so foreign and terrifying that it feels as though his world of harmony and happiness will come crashing down around him.
The family's reaction to Maya's news is marked with several ensuing emotions, the most prominent being disbelief. Sripathi and Nirmala cannot fathom why their beloved little girl would do such a thing. Both of them have conceded so much in their lives to conform with what is expected of them in their culture. Neither has ever questioned the rules they were brought up with, accepting them as ways of life. Now, their modern, cultivated daughter, who they were minutes ago bursting with pride for, has decided that these rules of life should not apply to her. Although from what we know about Maya's personality we know that she is not selfish or egoistic, in this instance she is resolutely putting her own needs first. ""It is not honorable for a girl to do what you are doing. Our reputation has to be considered. Ammayya will be upset, and think of your poor Putti Atthey's matrimonial prospects." He poured all his distress into his letter, his frustration with her increasing with every word." (p. 112, Rau Badami). The next emotions caught between Sripathi and Nirmala are guilt and blame. They briefly blame each other and wonder if it was their parenting that caused this insanity, but this flood of emotions is quickly redirected to an effort to convince Maya to change her mind and return. When she does not, all the energy from these emotions builds and intensifies and metamorphoses to anger on Sripathi's part, fueling his opposition to his daughter for nine long years.
In terms of Maya's love, I believe that Nirmala was much more accepting to this explanation than Sripathi. As Sripathi was raised in a home with parents whose relationship was very obviously not founded on love but rather on who fit together well, and as he was also proposed a relationship based on who fit him well (culture, horoscopes, etc.), this notion of marrying someone simply for love is foreign to him. Personally, I feel that in modern times people should have the right and the ability to marry uniquely for love, but I also understand where Sripathi is coming from in his refusal to accept this huge cultural contradiction. It is a large part of who he is, and his precious daughter is, in some ways, disrespecting it.
7.Why do you think Badami took so much time and care over the details of everyday life? What does this add to your sense of the characters, and to the way they move through life? The details and imagery in Badami's novel are the very foundation of the novel's concept. Much of the novel's elements are founded on cultural and regional aspects of life in Toturpuram on the Bay of Bengal, and as much of her large audience may have difficulties placing themselves amidst life in this town, her descriptions are all we have. They make the novel much more tangible and imaginable, and without them, many aspects, such as characters, places or reactions would be unconvincing and implausible to a Western audience.
8. Did the diversity in the women's roles surprise you? What were your conceptions of women's roles in India before you read this book? What are they now? Surprisingly, the diversity did not surprise me. I had previous knowledge that times are changing world wide and that many traditions and cultures are evolving, and though I was slightly surprised and pleased as the daughter was supported in going off to a foreign university even as the son stayed home to study, most of the novel fell within my previously developed conceptions about Indian culture and roles. Nirmala is the full time, fussing motherly role who takes care of everyone at home, Sripathi is the father who handles finances, goes to work every day and makes the significant decisions. I knew that caring for elderly parents is also a part of this culture, so having Ammayya live with them so that she can be better cared for was also normal. Marriage was, as I had expected, an important aspect of the book and a relevant part of the culture, especially highlighted for the women.
9. How does Arun's knowledge about sea turtles help to shift Sripathi's opinion of him? What has Sripathi been overlooking about Arun? The moment on the beach at dusk is very arguably the most important and meaningful moment in the novel, relatable to countless other instances. The fact that Arun has quietly kept this magical occurrence to himself, quietly witnessing this annual miracle, displays deep and perceptive wisdom. Sripathi's previous judgements of his son are all ones that have led to disappointment, that Arun has not succeeded at this, or managed to do well at that, not looking at what Arun is able to accomplish and what he is good at. "It had annoyed him, this annual ritual, when Arun disappeared a ten in the night and came home only after dawn - collecting the eggs, he had said so elusively, so sure of Sripathi's disapproval that he had ventured no further explanation." (p.356, Rau Badami). It is simply Arun's way. Not to brag or to share excitedly, but to show, to prove through actions and moments such as this one. You have to come to him, not the other way around. Sripathi, all these years, has been misunderstanding his son, and not making the effort to do otherwise. Finally, with the death of his mother and his forgiveness to himself, he is back to the identity he believes in, and a large part of this identity is being a father. "What a strange man he had fathered. Arun had slipped through twenty-eight years of existence gently, rewarded for it by Sripathi's irritation, hid disappointment, even his contempt." (p.356, Rau Badami). After finally making an attempt to see the world from Arun's perspective, Sripathi is completely awed and his respect for his son grows tenfold. All it took was for him to make the effort.
10. "The whole business of living, I think, is an act of heroism," says Anita Rau Badami, the book's author. By this definition, there are many acts of heroism in The Hero's Walk. Which acts, for you, stand out? The countless acts of heroism in The Hero's Walk make it difficult to choose simply one. This definition gives heroism such a unique and universal feel. Living life can be a challenge at times. It seems to me what Badami is saying is that we are all heros, in little ways or grand gestures, but the fact that she recognizes the heroism is everyday life is extremely perceptive. "Any idiot can face a crisis, it's the day-to-day living that wears you out." (Chekov, Anton). Perhaps daily living is even more of a struggle than the great deeds that Heros and Heroines face in great tales and escapades. Perhaps the will, the push to continue on after a hard day is more challenging than anything in life. For this reason, the heroism that stands out to me is Sripathi's own. He has faced his parents' disappointment nearly every day of his life. He is responsible for an entire family's well-being. Many of the others come to him when they themselves are in difficulties or hold him accountable for their struggles. He is in a job that does not respect him. He is constantly taken advantage of. He has such an enormous burden to shoulder every single day when he awakes, and still, he manages. He gets through it. Later in the novel, he starts to do even more than tread the murky waters of the life he has created. He rediscovers himself and he rediscovers the joy of living, even through all these struggles. Just like the majestic turtles at dusk and like Badami's own definition, Sripathi manages to live, and that, in my opinion, is the most heroic act of all.