The character of Uma shows how women in this deeply conservative society are treated, especially those who, for one reason or another, remain unmarried. Had Uma's family been successful in marrying her off when she was younger, then she would've been expected to act toward her husband the way that she now does toward her parents: as a glorified servant.

There are no gray areas here; in this society, women exist to serve the needs of their families, especially the menfolk, and Uma is no exception. Her life is narrow and confined, kept firmly within the boundaries of the traditional family unit as defined and constructed by the dominant patriarchy. Even some of the other women in the story—such as Anamika, for example—who are highly intelligent and could easily lead successful, independent lives, are held back by the prevailing value-system. Anamika's death deprives Uma of a female role model, someone she can look up to and aspire to emulate.

The portrait that Desai paints of a woman's role in Indian society is grim indeed, but it's no less true for that.