Summary
Anita Desai’s "Fasting, Feasting" intricately explores the dynamics of an Indian family entrenched in traditional values and the impacts of this on subsequent generations. The novel, spanning two contrasting cultural settings, focuses on the lives of siblings Uma and Arun, highlighting their struggles within the confines of patriarchal expectations. Desai juxtaposes the limitations imposed by Indian society with the seemingly different yet similarly confining societal structure in America.
Life in the Indian Household
At the heart of the narrative are Mama and Papa, whose identities have merged so completely over time that Uma, their daughter, refers to them jointly as "MamaPapa." This fusion signifies the stagnation in their lives as they settle into retirement in their provincial town home. The veranda swing becomes a poignant symbol of their unchanging existence, a place where patriarchal rituals are routinely enacted. Despite being middle-aged, Uma remains unmarried and is expected to cater to her parents’ needs, manifesting the enduring grip of traditional values.
Uma’s Constrained Path
Desai’s portrayal of Uma is revealing of the stifling atmosphere that prevents personal growth, a theme she fearlessly explores, regardless of its discomfort. Uma’s past is filled with thwarted aspirations, as flashbacks unveil her forbidden return to her convent school at fifteen and her failed escape to pursue education. Her mother’s decision to arrange a marriage at sixteen further curtailed her freedom, yet the arrangement collapsed when the suitor fell for her sister Aruna. Uma’s brief spiritual escape with her aunt Mira-masi, a rare act of rebellion, is similarly short-lived, illustrating her perpetual entrapment.
Broken Marriages and Lost Opportunities
Repeated attempts to marry Uma end in disaster, each more humiliating than the last. Her dowries are exploited, and one prospect turns into a terrifying ordeal, culminating in a near-enslavement that only her father’s intervention prevents. However, Uma's predicament is not an isolated one; Desai paints a broader picture of female oppression through characters like Anamika, a bright student denied her scholarship to Oxford due to an early marriage. Anamika’s tragic end, likely murdered by her husband under the guise of suicide, underscores the grim realities many women face.
The Desire for Perfection
Even Aruna, Uma’s younger sister who commands her household, finds herself ensnared by her pursuit of an ideal life. Yet within this tapestry of woes, Desai subtly hints at potential paths to empowerment. Characters such as Doctor Dutt and young Moyna, who pursue careers, offer glimmers of hope. Nonetheless, the first section of the novel closes on a somber note with the scattering of Anamika's ashes, a scene that leaves Uma engulfed in sorrow.
Arun’s American Sojourn
The novel’s second half shifts to Arun, Uma’s brother, who experiences a summer in Massachusetts while studying abroad. Staying with the Pattons, an American family, Arun observes their idiosyncrasies with the detached curiosity of an outsider. Critics argue that the Pattons verge on caricature: Mr. Patton, a domineering businessman; Mrs. Patton, a covert vegetarian; Melanie, their anorexic daughter; and Rod, a sports enthusiast. Despite these exaggerated portraits, Arun's interaction with them culminates in a gesture of appreciation—a gift of a shawl and tea to Mrs. Patton, sent by his distant family in India.
Contrasting Cultures
Desai’s narrative thrives on its exploration of the Indian family, where Uma and Mama share fleeting moments of humor amidst the oppressive environment. The portrayal of America through Arun’s eyes intentionally highlights an ironic perspective on daily life perceived by an outsider. Desai initially envisioned a third segment for the novel, a comedic exploration of Arun’s return to India, which she later published separately as "The Rooftop Dwellers" in her collection "Diamond Dust: Stories."
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