Class Assignment 10 Questions to ask Pariamma: 1. Has something happened to you in your life to make you so bitter? 2. What are your views on arranged marriages? 3. Are you fulfilled in your life? 4. What where you feeling when Malati left for her new home? *5. What did you have against Vidya? *6. What was your reaction when you learned that Vidya's family was moving in? 7. Are you really in love with Periappa or did you feel it was your duty to satisfy him? 8. How has your life changed since Malati left? *9. What was your life like before meeting Periappa? 10. How did your relationship with Periappa originate? 11. Where do you see your life going?
Sorry it's such a hodge podge entry, hopefully I got my message across...
Periamma must have looked at Vidya with mixed emotions -- contempt and jealousy. In one respect I imagine she hated everything the Vidya stood for. The fundamental differences in gender expectations alone must have been very frustrating and baffling because I feel that Periamma truly believed a woman's role was to serve her husband. So while I think Periamma disapproved of Vidya's viewpoints, my American self assumes there must have been some jealousy. How could Periamma not want the freedom to make her own decisions?
It was clear that Periamma disliked Vidya and disapproved of Vidya's family coming to live with the family through her interactions throughout the book. I imagine Periamma's initial reaction mirrored the way she treated Vidya and the other women in the household -- bitter and jealous. This new family that would become part of the compound and their differing, more liberal view would potentially threaten the balance of power in the household. Additionally, I imagine the extra stress that Periamma created for herself during this transition made for more tension between Periamma and Chinni Chithi which would eventually spill over when Vidya and Amma came to live with the women.
As a reader I felt that Periamma must have been raised in a very traditional household. Conversely, Appa had created a very different houseold for his children. This tremendous difference threatened the values that Periamma had internalized and had the potential to corrupt Malati and turn her into a more independent, modern woman.
I made a connection between an older woman I know and Periamma. This person got married young and has been married for close to fifty years. For many years she has been unhappy yet she has chosen to stay . Her husband is verbally abusive and she does not retire although she is 70 because although she doesn't like her work, it is the lesser of two evils. I'm thinking that this person I know was trapped in this situation because of economic reasons and also family commitment. I think today's womaen do have more choices than the generation or two that went before them.
Also I think that the book has a first person point of view, which is Vidya.It makes me think about that was only Vidya's viewpoint. The reader is not privy to Periamma's internal dialogue so we can only imagine what caused this persona to develop. A person's point of view can be biased and inaccurate.
I imagine that when Periamma learned that Vidya's family was moving in she felt much like she acted toward them when they got there. The only way that Periamma's attitude would have changed would be if Appa was not in the state that she was. I don’t think that Periamma would have had the guts to treat Vidya's family the way that she did if Appa was there to defend them. Her reaction to the family just showed how she felt about them her whole life, I assume. Periamma took most of her anger out on Vidya, because she had the guts and strong will to try and stand up to her. Vidya was raised in a totally different environment that Periamma brought Malati up in. Because their views were so opposite, the only emotion that was brought out in Periamma was anger and jealously. Vidya was a strong, determined character who had an opportunity to actually fulfill her dreams. Periamma was stuck in a life that made her a miserable person.
The book does not give us any clue about how Periamma's life was before she met Periappa. Based on her demeanor throughout the book, there I think there are two possibilities. Periamma could have been raised in a house just like the one where she was living, but she must have been in charge, because throughout the book, she was the boss. It is not an incredibly pleasant life to lead, so when she saw all the opportunities Vidya had, her rage and jealousy was raging. Periamma also could have been raised in a house like Vidya's where she had an opinion and dreams, but when she was married to Periappa, all those dreams and aspirations were crushed. This would again make her jealous and angry when she saw all that Vidya could become, that she would never have the chance to be.
Hilary, I, like you, have a similar understanding of periamma's life. Venkatraman doesn't give any clues as to what periamma was like before her life with periappa. Was her family as loving and as accepting as Vidya's? Was periamma able to share her feelings, aspirations, and opinions openly with her mother, father, and siblings? Was her life the same as it is now, married to periappa? A life of serving her husband and his family. Living in a home where the family seems to be keeping an internal familial caste, where the women live on the lower level of the home beneath the men showing the woman that they are less importanat than they are. Periamma's own family, could have been as kind, accepting of all people, and loving. She could have lived similarly to Vidya. In a home where she was free to climb trees and swing on the banyan roots. A home where her dreams were accepted and valued. Periamma's parents could have been very much like amma and appa, loving and caring of their children. Periamma could have been in love with another man and hoping that he would be her the match her parents would have chosen for her. But because we don't know it's difficult. Periamma's family could have been just as mean and unaccepting of others as periappa is. Her home life could have been very much like it is now. Perhaps the reason she appears uncaring and mean is because that is how she was raised. Perhaps, she didn't have loving parents or lived in an environment that accepted all people regardless if they were Brahmin or a servant in the home. She could have lived in a home where she had no choice but to follow what was said and expected. Periappa could have been the one and only match for her and although she didn't know or love him, she was told she had to marry him.
Periamma's reaction to the news was most probably one of anger because there would be more people to share the house with. She could have also been secretly happy, in a bad way, because the image of Vidya's "perfect" family would never be that same. Periamma now has the upper hand over Vidya's family. Being married to periappa somehow gives her power over the other families that live in the house. She can now treat them as she as was possibly treated by thatha and his wife at one time in her life.
Periamma seems to pick on Vidya from ythe time her family arrives at the housein Madras. Perhaps she has this animosity because she is jealous of Vidya. Vidya comes from a home where her point of view is listened to and taken seriously. An environment where she was able to speak her mind freely and not be ridiculed for it. A home where the parents seemed to truly love and respect each other and show it openly. Periamma could have been jealous of this because she lived in a home where she was expected to serve her husband and his family. She periappa because it was arranged and she had no choice. Periamma is feeling stuck in a loveless marriage living in her husband's home with no supports and with nowhere to go and no one she can talk to. Periamma could also be jealous that Vidya has dreams of going to college and it is possible that she will go to study instaed of marrying right away. This could have been something periamma would have liked but never given the chance to do.Periamma sees all the things she has desired, in Vidya's family, but never got the opportunity to have in her own life.
I too agree that without too much background it is difficult to really figure out periamma I do think that there is some jealousy towards Vidya. Vidya presents as a strong and confident women. She speaks her mind and sticks up for herself. While that it often frowned upon in their culture, I wonder if their is a part of periamma that likes that and wishes she possessed some of those qualities. We know that periamma spent her life as many traditional Indian women did, caring for the men in her life. I think she grew tired of this and maybe resented the life she had. She may be a lot more like Vidya than we really know. Venkatraman also said that Thatha's character is based loosely on her grandfather. I wonder is periamma or other characters are also.
Based on the way periamma treated Vidya's family when they arrived I'm guessing she wasn't too happy to leave of their arrival. In chapter 11 when they first arrive in Madras periamma has little if any interaction with amma. She interacts with Vidya, only to criticize her and even call her an idiot, like her father. Periamma probally liked things they way they were, the women listened to her and did as she told them. She maybe felt threatened by anyone who wanted to initiate change. Those feelings of anger/jealousy possible brought out the reactions of periamma towards Vidya and her family. I wonder if appa was well how periamma would have treated Vidya's family.
What was life like for periamma before she met periappa? I believe that based on her character she was raised in a very traditional Indian home. She was raised to get married and care for her husband. Her parents could have been very caring and loving, but based on her culture she was most likely destined for the life she now has. It seems that many times the youngest members of the family are the most liberal. I bet her parents practiced the culture and taught periamma to do the same.
Hilary, thank you for pointing ot that Periamma would have not treated the family like this if Appa was still healthy. I never thought of it that way, but I do whole-heartedly agree. If Appa was healthy Periamma wouldn't dream of stepping on his family's toes because that would be so against the traditional family values -- a woman disrespecting a man.
Additionally, I hadn't really thought about Periamma coming from a more liberal family, but it definitely seems like it could be a possibility. Perhaps she became more traditional with her marriage to Periappa.
I cannot help but relate this change to Christian's in my life who have recently found God again -- that the traditional gender roles have God's blessings and fulfilling those roles creates a closer relationship with God. I imagine that Periamma truly believes that she's fulfilling a higher duty by being submissive to Periappa. Perhaps she has pity for Vidya because her progressive lifestyle is not creating a deeper relationship with their god. That pity and disapproval may manifest themselves in rudeness and bitterness (And of course, I could be totally incorrect by imposing my Judeo-Christian experierences).
Class Assignment
ReplyDelete10 Questions to ask Pariamma:
1. Has something happened to you in your life to make you so bitter?
2. What are your views on arranged marriages?
3. Are you fulfilled in your life?
4. What where you feeling when Malati left for her new home?
*5. What did you have against Vidya?
*6. What was your reaction when you learned that Vidya's family was moving in?
7. Are you really in love with Periappa or did you feel it was your duty to satisfy him?
8. How has your life changed since Malati left?
*9. What was your life like before meeting Periappa?
10. How did your relationship with Periappa originate?
11. Where do you see your life going?
Sorry it's such a hodge podge entry, hopefully I got my message across...
ReplyDeletePeriamma must have looked at Vidya with mixed emotions -- contempt and jealousy. In one respect I imagine she hated everything the Vidya stood for. The fundamental differences in gender expectations alone must have been very frustrating and baffling because I feel that Periamma truly believed a woman's role was to serve her husband. So while I think Periamma disapproved of Vidya's viewpoints, my American self assumes there must have been some jealousy. How could Periamma not want the freedom to make her own decisions?
It was clear that Periamma disliked Vidya and disapproved of Vidya's family coming to live with the family through her interactions throughout the book. I imagine Periamma's initial reaction mirrored the way she treated Vidya and the other women in the household -- bitter and jealous. This new family that would become part of the compound and their differing, more liberal view would potentially threaten the balance of power in the household. Additionally, I imagine the extra stress that Periamma created for herself during this transition made for more tension between Periamma and Chinni Chithi which would eventually spill over when Vidya and Amma came to live with the women.
As a reader I felt that Periamma must have been raised in a very traditional household. Conversely, Appa had created a very different houseold for his children. This tremendous difference threatened the values that Periamma had internalized and had the potential to corrupt Malati and turn her into a more independent, modern woman.
I made a connection between an older woman I know and Periamma. This person got married young and has been married for close to fifty years. For many years she has been unhappy yet she has chosen to stay . Her husband is verbally abusive and she does not retire although she is 70 because although she doesn't like her work, it is the lesser of two evils. I'm thinking that this person I know was trapped in this situation because of economic reasons and also family commitment. I think today's womaen do have more choices than the generation or two that went before them.
ReplyDeleteAlso I think that the book has a first person point of view, which is Vidya.It makes me think about that was only Vidya's viewpoint. The reader is not privy to Periamma's internal dialogue so we can only imagine what caused this persona to develop. A person's point of view can be biased and inaccurate.
ReplyDeleteI imagine that when Periamma learned that Vidya's family was moving in she felt much like she acted toward them when they got there. The only way that Periamma's attitude would have changed would be if Appa was not in the state that she was. I don’t think that Periamma would have had the guts to treat Vidya's family the way that she did if Appa was there to defend them. Her reaction to the family just showed how she felt about them her whole life, I assume.
ReplyDeletePeriamma took most of her anger out on Vidya, because she had the guts and strong will to try and stand up to her. Vidya was raised in a totally different environment that Periamma brought Malati up in. Because their views were so opposite, the only emotion that was brought out in Periamma was anger and jealously. Vidya was a strong, determined character who had an opportunity to actually fulfill her dreams. Periamma was stuck in a life that made her a miserable person.
The book does not give us any clue about how Periamma's life was before she met Periappa. Based on her demeanor throughout the book, there I think there are two possibilities. Periamma could have been raised in a house just like the one where she was living, but she must have been in charge, because throughout the book, she was the boss. It is not an incredibly pleasant life to lead, so when she saw all the opportunities Vidya had, her rage and jealousy was raging.
ReplyDeletePeriamma also could have been raised in a house like Vidya's where she had an opinion and dreams, but when she was married to Periappa, all those dreams and aspirations were crushed. This would again make her jealous and angry when she saw all that Vidya could become, that she would never have the chance to be.
Hilary, I, like you, have a similar understanding of periamma's life. Venkatraman doesn't give any clues as to what periamma was like before her life with periappa. Was her family as loving and as accepting as Vidya's? Was periamma able to share her feelings, aspirations, and opinions openly with her mother, father, and siblings? Was her life the same as it is now, married to periappa? A life of serving her husband and his family. Living in a home where the family seems to be keeping an internal familial caste, where the women live on the lower level of the home beneath the men showing the woman that they are less importanat than they are.
ReplyDeletePeriamma's own family, could have been as kind, accepting of all people, and loving. She could have lived similarly to Vidya. In a home where she was free to climb trees and swing on the banyan roots. A home where her dreams were accepted and valued. Periamma's parents could have been very much like amma and appa, loving and caring of their children. Periamma could have been in love with another man and hoping that he would be her the match her parents would have chosen for her. But because we don't know it's difficult.
Periamma's family could have been just as mean and unaccepting of others as periappa is. Her home life could have been very much like it is now. Perhaps the reason she appears uncaring and mean is because that is how she was raised. Perhaps, she didn't have loving parents or lived in an environment that accepted all people regardless if they were Brahmin or a servant in the home. She could have lived in a home where she had no choice but to follow what was said and expected. Periappa could have been the one and only match for her and although she didn't know or love him, she was told she had to marry him.
Periamma's reaction to the news was most probably one of anger because there would be more people to share the house with. She could have also been secretly happy, in a bad way, because the image of Vidya's "perfect" family would never be that same.
ReplyDeletePeriamma now has the upper hand over Vidya's family. Being married to periappa somehow gives her power over the other families that live in the house. She can now treat them as she as was possibly treated by thatha and his wife at one time in her life.
Periamma seems to pick on Vidya from ythe time her family arrives at the housein Madras. Perhaps she has this animosity because she is jealous of Vidya. Vidya comes from a home where her point of view is listened to and taken seriously. An environment where she was able to speak her mind freely and not be ridiculed for it. A home where the parents seemed to truly love and respect each other and show it openly.
ReplyDeletePeriamma could have been jealous of this because she lived in a home where she was expected to serve her husband and his family. She periappa because it was arranged and she had no choice. Periamma is feeling stuck in a loveless marriage living in her husband's home with no supports and with nowhere to go and no one she can talk to.
Periamma could also be jealous that Vidya has dreams of going to college and it is possible that she will go to study instaed of marrying right away. This could have been something periamma would have liked but never given the chance to do.Periamma sees all the things she has desired, in Vidya's family, but never got the opportunity to have in her own life.
I too agree that without too much background it is difficult to really figure out periamma I do think that there is some jealousy towards Vidya. Vidya presents as a strong and confident women. She speaks her mind and sticks up for herself. While that it often frowned upon in their culture, I wonder if their is a part of periamma that likes that and wishes she possessed some of those qualities. We know that periamma spent her life as many traditional Indian women did, caring for the men in her life. I think she grew tired of this and maybe resented the life she had. She may be a lot more like Vidya than we really know. Venkatraman also said that Thatha's character is based loosely on her grandfather. I wonder is periamma or other characters are also.
ReplyDeleteBased on the way periamma treated Vidya's family when they arrived I'm guessing she wasn't too happy to leave of their arrival. In chapter 11 when they first arrive in Madras periamma has little if any interaction with amma. She interacts with Vidya, only to criticize her and even call her an idiot, like her father. Periamma probally liked things they way they were, the women listened to her and did as she told them. She maybe felt threatened by anyone who wanted to initiate change. Those feelings of anger/jealousy possible brought out the reactions of periamma towards Vidya and her family. I wonder if appa was well how periamma would have treated Vidya's family.
ReplyDeleteWhat was life like for periamma before she met periappa? I believe that based on her character she was raised in a very traditional Indian home. She was raised to get married and care for her husband. Her parents could have been very caring and loving, but based on her culture she was most likely destined for the life she now has. It seems that many times the youngest members of the family are the most liberal. I bet her parents practiced the culture and taught periamma to do the same.
ReplyDeleteHilary, thank you for pointing ot that Periamma would have not treated the family like this if Appa was still healthy. I never thought of it that way, but I do whole-heartedly agree. If Appa was healthy Periamma wouldn't dream of stepping on his family's toes because that would be so against the traditional family values -- a woman disrespecting a man.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, I hadn't really thought about Periamma coming from a more liberal family, but it definitely seems like it could be a possibility. Perhaps she became more traditional with her marriage to Periappa.
I cannot help but relate this change to Christian's in my life who have recently found God again -- that the traditional gender roles have God's blessings and fulfilling those roles creates a closer relationship with God. I imagine that Periamma truly believes that she's fulfilling a higher duty by being submissive to Periappa. Perhaps she has pity for Vidya because her progressive lifestyle is not creating a deeper relationship with their god. That pity and disapproval may manifest themselves in rudeness and bitterness (And of course, I could be totally incorrect by imposing my Judeo-Christian experierences).