Jan 2, 2010

The Management of Grief | Themes

Religion
Religious conflict sets the scene for the plot of "The Management of Grief'. The men and boys at Shaila's house as the story opens, mostly Hindus, believe that Sikh activists planted the bomb that killed Shaila's husband and two sons.

Religion and religious issues shape much of Shaila's consciousness. In India, Shaila realizes that she is somewhat repelled by the Sikhs she sees, even old family friends, despite her progressive upbringing by parents who "do not blame communities for a few individuals.'' Though her grandmother was a devout Hindu, her parents...