Lost Names

I read the beginning of lost names to get to three hundred pages. It starts off with a mother telling the story of how her family moved and got through a tough time. They were leaving the country to go work at a missionary school, but the Japanese police were preventing her husband from leaving on time. She waited outside for him all night, and when he finally showed up, they crossed a footpath together despite the dangers. I was slightly confused by this whole story. I don't think that I had enough background information in this book. It must have been during a time when the Japanese were in charge. I was confused when they would not let the father go even though he had papers. How is that fair? If he had legal documentation, why couldn't he leave right away? It mentioned that he had rioted against the Japanese and served time in prison for it. It seems unfair that the Japanese would make him leave his home and his family because he once protested...I wish the book would have said what had happened to him. All it described was that he was bruised and bleeding slightly. I wonder if the Japanese threatened his family in any way...He hid all of his burdons very well from his wife.

I could tell that the mother was a very strong woman, though she felt somewhat dependent on her husband. When he was gone, she was confused at what to do. Once she figured it out though, her mind was set. She would not let anyone change her plan. Many young men offered to help her, but the only help she would accept was someone taking her luggage to the station. She insisted on waiting with her baby outside until her husband returned. It was freezing cold out. I felt bad for the baby! Despite how many times she was offered to go inside to warm up, she only did this after her husband had finally returned. I think that she has an extremely strong will. It seems different in this country. Women don't seem to be equals, but they do not seem to be as low on the totem pole as they were when I read Sold.

I think that this story was good from what I read, though I did not really get a feel for what was truly going on. I would like to finish it and figure out the time setting and what happens in the book. I can tell that it would be an interesting story, and I would love to get more of a feel for the characters, their morals, the culture that they live in, and even what is historically going on during this time. I think that it would be a good book.

Final Reflections

I loved this book! It was so easy to relate to Lakshmi. She was just a young girl who had terrible luck. I truly felt everything that she was feeling. I think that Patricia McCormick did an amazing job at showing what people in the slave trade have to go through. I think that everyone should read this book. It was amazing and hard to put down. I loved all of the symbols throughout the book. I thought that Sold was a great form of catharsis. I think that Patricia McCormick wrote the novel so that even someone who has never gone through something like the slave trade could relate to what was going on. I felt like I was Lakshmi while I was reading the book, and I think that because of this I was able to get a better feel of what it would be like to have to deal with that every day. I thought that Sold helped to show that life is very different in other parts of the world. I did not even know that the story was taking place in modern days until I read about TVs and digital cameras. I think that what is happening in these other countries is terrible, and something needs to be done to help. Sold helped show that these terrible things are going on. I think that this was one of my favorite books.

Sold (Waiting - The Words Harish Taught Me)

Lakshmi is waiting for the Americans to come save her. In the mean time, Anita is becoming ill. I hope that Anita will be alright. She is all that Lakshmi has left. Lakshmi doesn't have to wait for very long. Soon an American comes. He brings a digital camera and shows Lakshmi where he can take her. I think that it is so weird that there are digital cameras in this book. Being in this place where there are not so many modern technologies makes me forget that we are in a current time. Lakshmi was amazed by the digital camera. I think that Lakshmi is really nervous to trust him. She has been taken advantage of so many times, it is a miracle that she can even consider trusting anyone. She decides to take the risk and trust him. I think that this was a good choice. If it doesn't work out, what is she losing? She doesn't have any freedom, any say in anything going on in her life. All she wants is to escape. I hope that Lakshmi does not get caught. If Mumtaz finds out that she asked the American to escape, Lakshmi may very well be killed. She was extremely close to being caught when she started acting guilty. She needs to be very careful.

The American takes a while. Lakshmi loses all hope that he is coming. I think that this is sad. I hope that the american does come back. I wonder why it is taking so long? What does he have to do that takes so much time?

I loved the ending. I think it is great that the words that saved Lakshmi are the words that Harish was taking the time to teach her. I loved that Lakshmi is going to be safe! After everything that she has been through, she is finally getting to go home!

Sold (All I Have Left - Stupidity)

Anita begs Lakshmi to get out of bed because Mumtaz is going to send her away otherwise. I never knew that Anita really cared about Lakshmi, and I don't think that Lakshmi knew this either. Lakshmi and Anita are some of the oldest girls here now. Lakshmi realizes that Anita needs her, so she finally gets up. I am so glad that Lakshmi got up, and that her and Anita are becoming closer. Lakshmi really needs a new friend. I only fear that if she becomes to close to Anita something will happen to take Anita away.

Lakshmi wants to get out of the house. She decides to be with every man and any man to get out of here sooner. Lakshmi has changed so much. I am glad that she is trying to get out, but I don't really think that being with any man will help pay off her debt to Mumtaz. Mumtaz will find ways to keep her there. When one drunk man falls asleep, she even digs through his wallet and steals more money. I don't think that the old Lakshmi would have done that. Stealing is wrong, but at the same time, so is what he does to her. It is such a twisted cycle. I hope Lakshmi can get out of this place soon.

There is a boy who brings a cart with tea and drinks that the girls can buy. All of the girls love to buy tea, but Lakshmi always refrains. The boy finds this curious. Eventually he starts leaving her tea for free. I think the boy feels bad for Lakshmi but likes her at the same time. He even ended up giving her a bottle of coke. Lakshmi also starts to like the boy. When he got in trouble for not having the money from the coke, she borrowed money from Mumtaz to pay for it. I think this shows how much she likes him. She has decided to be with every man and any man to make enough money to leave this place, but when someone she knows gets into trouble, she is still compassionate enough to help him out. Whenever he gets switched to a different route, he tells Lakshmi it is not her fault. As he leaves, Lakshmi gives him a hug and secretly slips him the card the American gave her and asks him to find the men who promised to take her home. I am so glad Lakshmi decided to go! I don't think that the Americans are evil. I think that Mumtaz just started that rumor to make the girls stay when the Americans come. I hope that they come to save Lakshmi...

Sold (A Word Too Small - Today)

Whenever Harish is leaving, Lakshmi does not know what to say. She is very worried for him, then remembers the word that he taught her 'sorry'. She tells him that she is sorry. I think that her heart is breaking on the inside. She loved Harish. Now she knows that he will be out on the streets. He will not have a home, and he surely will not be safe. But most importantly, he will not be there for her. He will not be in Happiness House to teach her English. I think that this is the worst part for Lakshmi. In this situation, she is thinking more about herself than anyone else. Lakshmi always repeats the words 'I am Lakshmi. I am from Nepal. I am thirteen years old.' Harish taught her how to say this. I think these words are a comfort to her. She doesn't totally understand them, they are in another language. At the same time, they are comforting. With most of her life, things that she doesn't understand have turned out to be bad. The words though represent an escape. If she learns the languages she will be able to communicate with others and not be so alone.

An American comes to Lakshmi's room and gives her a card. He tells her that he can get her out of this place. Lakshmi is extremely leery. The girls have been taught that Americans will take them home and make them walk naked in the streets. Mumtaz has truly thought of everything. I think it is so sad that these girls cannot trust anyone who tries to help them. Lakshmi keeps his card because she knows that it is contraband in the house and if anyone saw it, even in the trash, there would be an uproar.

After the raid, Lakshmi cannot find Shahannah. She learns that Shahannah was taken. Why is it that poor Lakshmi loses everyone that she becomes close to? Shahannah was a good friend to her, and she was from the same area as Lakshmi. Lakshmi really has trouble dealing with this. She cannot find a purpose in living anymore. She lays in her bed and does nothing all day. I feel so bad. She must have so much grief to deal with. This isn't just the disappearance of Shahannah, it is the disappearance of her normal life that she is grieving for.

Sold (Not Counting - What Despair Looks Like)

I can't believe that Lakshmi is actually sad that the guy who held her hasn't come back. I don't really understand. Sure, he may have been gentle, but he still took advantage of her. He still went to Happiness House in order to gain pleasure. I feel bad that she is becoming so connected to him. I think she is going to get hurt, because he probably won't come back.

The David Beckham boy's name is Harish. Harish has been teaching Lakshmi many new words. One day he tells her it is the festival of brothers and sisters. He bought her a shiny new yellow pencil. I think that Lakshmi is very surprised about this. No one really shows her much love in Happiness House, and even back at the mountain, they did not have any money to spend on things such as pencils. I think that she is taken aback by such a generous thought. I also think that she is very happy that Harish likes her enough to buy her a gift. She said that the pencil smelled of possibility. I think that it represents what she can learn and write now, but also a brighter future. The pencil is bright yellow, like the sun. I hope it leads Lakshmi to a better place in her life. Lakshmi decides to give Harish a gift. He loves soccer, and kicks around rotten melons all day long. Lakshmi used her old clothes to make him a soccer ball. I think this was very generous. It shows how much Lakshmi likes Harish. Although she can no longer smell the mountain air on those clothes, they still represent her past and are some of the few things she has to remember her home.

Lakshmi gets sick, and Mumtaz has no mercy. She tells her to get out of bed and go to work. She has a high fever, and cannot move and Mumtaz is only thinking of the money she is losing! Soon Mumtaz gives her some pills to take to make her better, but Lakshmi has to pay for them. I don't see how Lakshmi will ever get out of here. Her debts are building up, and she makes very little when you take out all of the things that Mumtaz charges her for. I don't think Mumtaz plans to let her go until she is of no use to Mumtaz.

When Monica returns to the house and tells Lakshmi how her family had disowned her, I think Lakshmi is almost scared. She does not know how Monica got into this place, but surely she didn't come on her own free will. I think she is worried about what her own family will say to her, now that she is a disgrace. I think it is so sad that Monica's family told her own daughter that she had died! Monica worked so hard to pay for everything that her family needed. She finally had enough to pay off Mumtaz and return home, only to find that she is not wanted there, despite everything she had provided them with.

When Harish's mom is sick again, Mumtaz decides to throw them out on the street. The only way she will keep them is if Pushpa (Harish's mom) gives Mumtaz her baby girl for later use. Of course she says no. I cannot imagine someone even daring to ask for a baby girl. Mumtaz is really pure evil. All she thinks about is the price she can fetch for girls. I feel so bad for Harish and his family. They have no money and no place to go! I also feel bad for Lakshmi. She really liked Harish...

Sold (Stealing from the David Beckham Boy - Am I Pretty?)

Lakshmi sees where the David Beckham boy hides his money, and she steals from him. She never touches his money though. Instead she takes his book and reads and pretends to be in school. I think that this shows that Lakshmi has still clung to her personality and stuck to her morals. It would be so easy for her to take his money to help her get out of the Happiness House faster, but all she wants is to learn. She misses being in school, being a student and learning. She still loves what she loved at home. I am really proud of Lakshmi for not stooping low and stealing his money. One day the David Beckham boy sees Lakshmi reading his book. Lakshmi is ashamed of being caught. The boy seems slightly confused that Lakshmi is interested in his book, but offers it back to her to read. She is too ashamed and leaves. Lakshmi hates the look of pity he gave her when he offered her the book. It is like he knows what is going on with her life, which he probably does. Lakshmi does not want to be the girl who is in a terrible situation. She wants to be normal. That is why she pretended to be at school. I think that his look of pity made her realize more strongly that she wasn't at school, but rather in the Happiness House going through torture. The boy has a lot to deal with. He knows what goes on in the house, and he has to deal with the kids at school tormenting him because his mother is a whore. He could be and extremely hostile young kid, but he is not. He loves to play soccer, and even offers to teach Lakshmi different languages. I think that he is an amazing kid just like Lakshmi. Although his situation isn't quite as harsh, he is dealing with a lot as well.

Lakshmi becomes almost confused when one of the men lay with her. He holds her after he is done, affectionately. Lakshmi has never had this happen before, and she becomes attached. She felt like he was after more than just his own pleasure. As strange as it may seem, I think that when he did this he allowed her to reconsider what she thought of herself. She contemplated whether or not she was pretty. I think it is so sad that the slightest bit of gentleness affected Lakshmi in this way. It really shows how badly things are going in the house.

Sold (What Is Normal - What Is Missing Now)

Now that Lakshmi is no longer locked up in her room, Shahannah and some other girls tell her what is normal around the house, what she must do, etc. Lakshmi is surprised at the girls behaviors. They watch soap operas and laugh and do all sorts of things. She cannot imagine being happy while being in this place. Seeing the girls like this makes Lakshmi realize that she is still not one of them. I don't think that Lakshmi will ever be like the other girls. I don't think that she will ever just accept her fate and deal with it. I think she will do what she has to do, but she will work towards leaving. I don't think that Lakshmi wants the luxuries in the house, only to be able to return home when she has paid off her debt.

Lakshmi meets a young boy who is wearing a David Beckham shirt. She does not know his name. I think that Lakshmi may relate to this boy. She does not understand the language he speaks, but I think she feels that despite everything, she is still a child. He is not a whole lot younger than she is, and I think his innocence reminds her of her own childhood. She becomes jealous of him because he doesn't have to go through what she does. He gets to go to school and then come home and play. She realizes that it is wrong to be jealous of him, but at the same time who wouldn't be jealous.

All the girls love babies. They are given shots to prevent pregnancies, but everyone loves the children at the house. They offer an escape for the young girls. The children do not judge them the way that everyone else does. They love unconditionally. Lakshmi has trouble relating to this, but the girls say they need to pretend to get through their lives. I think that Lakshmi can truly relate to this statement. She pretends that what is happening is a nightmare. I think anyone who is in that situation would have to pretend in some way.

Mumtaz takes away all sorts of money from the girls for rent and other things. How unfair is this! How can anyone ever have enough money to leave if they have to pay Mumtaz all that money for things that obviously don't cost the price she is charging. She is trying to make sure that the girls have to stay at Happiness House, and she is doing a great job at it.

Whenever Lakshmi smells her clothes and can no longer smell the mountain, she is in shock. One of her sole comforts in this place was being able to go back home for a few seconds. Now that that is no longer available, Lakshmi starts to accept that she is a different person than she was at home. She has grown up a lot in this place, and though the loss saddens her, she moves on with what she has to do.

Sold (Between Twilights - New Girl)

Lakshmi smells her old clothes each day to help her remember her home, her family, the mountain, and the innocence that could be found there. What is happening to her is very hard, so this small thing to summon what used to be helps her to cope with everything she is going through. It is so ironic that she can picture her old home in this room that is the opposite of what she dreams of. Lakshmi has now been raped so many times that she knows exactly what you hear, the dreadful sounds that occur before the torture begins. Now that she recognizes these sounds, I think it must be much harder for her to accept. When you don't know what is going to happen to you, it is not as bad as knowing what is coming and anticipating it all the while. I don't think that it is fair that the girls are not allowed to have the men use protection! Mumtaz really doesn't care about them at all. Doesn't she know the dangers? I guess she assumes that if they get a disease she can throw them out on the streets and buy new girls. I just don't understand how someone can be so heartless and not feel anything towards the girls she has bought. She is using them to make her rich, and she doesn't care about anything else. The girls are told to wash after each customer. Lakshmi feels so guilty about what she has done. She scrubs herself so hard, but no matter what she does she cannot scrub the men from her conscious. I can imagine she would feel terrible, but I just want to tell her that it is not her fault. She can't help what is going on!

Lakshmi is having trouble remembering her home, and at the same time is having trouble forgetting what is happening. I loved the end of the chapter, "Trying to remember, I have learned, is like trying to clutch a handful of fog. Trying to forget, like trying to stop the monsoon". How true is it that you can never remember things that you really want to remember, but when you want a memory to leave it never does. Forgetting her home is going to be very hard for Lakshmi. That is the only reason she is here going through what she is going through. Lakshmi keeps count of how much she makes and how much she needs to pay off Mumtaz. Mumtaz claims that she paid 20,000 rupees for her, and send her off into the house with the rest of the girls. This is so unfair! Mumtaz is trying to make it impossible for Lakshmi to leave, and the truth is that Lakshmi cannot do anything about it. How can she prove that 10,000 rupees were paid? Lakshmi considers this worse than what the men do to her. Mumtaz is forcing her to staly longer, making it harder for her to leave. But most importantly, Mumtaz is trying to pull a fast one on the smartest girl in her school. Lakshmi knows that Mumtaz is lying, making it all the worse.

Sold (A Cup of Lassi - Hurt)

How disgusting it is to trick Lakshmi like that! She thought that she was getting a treat, but then she was paralyzed and unable to defend herself. Habib, then many other men, take advantage of her while she cannot move. Mumtaz forces the Lassi down her throat each day. Lakshmi cannot handle what is going on in her life. She knows that some of the things she sees are real, but some (such as her Ama) are not real. She convinces herself that what is happening to her is a nightmare. I cannot imagine trying to live like this. You would have to pretend it was not happening to get through it. Lakshmi is hurt. She sees that she has become just like one of the other girls, no matter how hard she fought against it. She really doesn't care much about life right now. She must feel so worthless, not being able to control her own destiny. She had never had much control over her life. Her stepfather was always powerful and controlling, he did after all sell her into this fate. However, when Lakshmi was at home, she could control herself. She may not get to choose everything or make all the decisions, but she could mostly decide who she was and how she was going to behave. Right now she does not have that choice. She is forced the Lassi, which then makes her be forced into being with the men that night. To have to go through that would be unbelievable. I don't think you could get through it without pretending that it was not real. Lakshmi has a long road ahead of her, I hope that she can find some light in the despairing world she is in...

Sold (Three Days and Three Nights - A Pronouncement)

Lakshmi is beaten severely. She has welts everywhere on her body, including her feet. Mumtaz asks if she will be with men now, and she refuses. She has such a strong will. As much as I don't want her to have to go through with this torture, I think that what Mumtaz can do to her may be worse than just accepting her fate. Lakshmi is strong though. Mumtaz says she will make her go hungry until she decides to be with the men. I think this is funny. Mumtaz obviously forgets where Lakshmi is from, because Lakshmi is very accustomed to dealing with hunger. She has gone without food, eaten rice with dirt, etc. She knows the tricks of the trade when it comes to hunger. I think that Lakshmi is almost strengthened by this challenge, because while hunger is terrible, she knows how to deal with it. She has never had to deal with the beatings before. After more than five days without drink or food, Shahannah comes and brings Lakshmi tea. Lakshmi does not want to take it at first, but realizes how hungry she is and decides to drink it. Shahanna is trying to give Lakshmi some hope, telling her that her hair is growing back. Then she tells her that she needs to do what Mumtaz tells her in order to live. I think that Shahanna feels somewhat responsible for Lakshmi because they are from the same area. She is trying to protect her. Lakshmi is still keeping her will and says she will not disgrace herself in this way. I can't imagine being in Lakshmi's position. I don't know that I would be as strong as her. Mumtaz announces that she will let her live. I want to know what this means. Something bad is going to happen. Mumtaz would not just let Lakshmi sit in her room. I only hope that Lakshmi will be alright.

Sold (In this Room - Sold)

I think that the room Lakshmi is in represents her life. It is alone and desolate, almost separated from the rest of the house. It is filthy, and has iron bars on the windows. Lakshmi is also alone, knowing no one around her. Her life is a mess and is dirty, everything quickly disappearing and plans changing for the worst. The room also trapped Lakshmi. Lakshmi was trapped not only literally be the bars on the windows and the lock on the door, but also emotionally. She has no where else to go, no one else to see. She has to do this work for her family's sake. She cannot just leave, she knows nothing about how to get home. Until she becomes more knowledgeable about where she is, she is trapped right here.

The TV represents a luxury that is like the gold roofs. Lakshmi thinks that every house having a TV means that they are quite rich. She is amused by the TV, but not entirely enthralled by it like the other girls in the house. Soon, the girls start to paint Lakshmi's nails and do her hair and makeup. She asks what is happening, but they will not answer her. Her new Auntie, Mumtaz, calls her into a room where an old man is laying on the bed. Laksmi knows something is not right, but I don't think she realizes yet what is going on. I cannot believe she is going through this. How can people be so cruel? How could her stepfather force her into something like this? Mumtaz makes Lakshmi lay down, but when the old man starts to advance, she bites him. Good for her! I was so happy that she got away, but at the same time, I am fearfull for what will happen to her. Obviously that type of behavior won't be accepted. Lakshmi tries to explain that there is some sort of mistake, that she came to work as a maid. Mumtaz is clear. There is no mistake until she pays off the 10,000 rupees that were paid to purchase her. Then her head is shaved. She is now a disgraced girl. I cannot believe that all of this is happening so quickly. How can Lakshmi even cope with what is happening in her life? How can she live. Not only has she been sold into prostitution, but she is also stuck here until her debt is paid off. I wonder how she is going to react...

Sold (Uncle Husband - Ten Thousand Rupees)

I can't believe that they are going to take Lakshmi across the border! If she has to pretend that the man is her husband, it has to be illegal. Why would they need her to cross the border? Surely there is plenty to do in the country. I think that Lakshmi is very confused, and cautious of her Uncle Husband. She has seen him slap before, and she knows that he can be easily irritated. At the same time, he promises to protect her. Lakshmi really doesn't have anyone to trust at this point. She has no constants in her life. In fact, she does not even know anyone's name at this point. Lakshmi grew up in ignorance of the world, innocent of its crime. I think that this makes her to trusting of other people. She probably shouldn't trust her 'Uncle Husband', but she doesn't see any other options. Really, Lakshmi is in a terrible position. After she crosses the border and gets sweets, she wants to send them back to Ama. I think it is so sweet of her, but I don't think she realizes how far away from home she truly is. She is totally disconnected from Ama, at least for now. Uncle Husband is proving to be rather trustworthy. He has fed Lakshmi and given her treats. He hasn't really been impatient with her at all. I do not think she is leary of him at all. However, he does not trust her. Whenever it is time for a bathroom break, he warns her not to try to run. Lakshmi is confused by this, she hasn't even thought about escaping. She is very strong. Although she hasn't had to do anything yet, most girls would want to go back to their families. Lakshmi is thinking only of doing what is necessary to help, and at this point would not dare to escape. When she sees the girl with the shaven head, I think she believes that that girl is a disgrace. I don't think she realizes that that girl really needed to escape because of what she was going through. I felt so bad for that young girl. To have a shaven head in that society is basically to condemn your life until it grows back...that is, if it is allowed to grow back. It would be hard to live this way. I wonder what she was going through to make her want to escape so badly...

I cannot believe that Lakshmi was taken to Happiness House. That is so sad. She was sold for 10,000 rupees. Although that is a lot of rupees, there is no price in the world to put on someone's freedom, especially considering what she is going to have to do. I feel so bad for Lakshmi. She is ignorant to what is in store for her. She still believes that she is going to be a maid! The monsoon is going to turn monstrous very quickly...

Sold (A Second Look - Numbers)

It must be hard for Lakshmi literally walking away from her hometown, her family, and virtually the only place she knows. To not look back would be impossible. I really can't imagine how it would feel to leave everything you have ever know. She is desperately trying to memorize her way back home, but that would be almost impossible. She is comforted by the fact that she can always see the mountain in the background to find her way home. Soon, the mountain is out of sight. I think that this is when Lakshmi truly realizes that she has left her home, and will not be back for a long time. I think that this is the first part of the journey that she is truly scared. I loved when Lakshmi told what she carried in her bundle and her head and heart and said "My bundle is light. My burden is heavy." How true is that? She has never had many possessions, and she does not need much to live on. But she feels that her family's survival is in her hands. She knows that her stepfather will only lose more money, never gain more. She worries about her mother and her baby brother. I think that the thought of helping them is the only think that is keeping her moving forward.

When the reach the city, I think that Lakshmi is excited despite what is happening to her. She has never even heard of cars before, let alone ride in them! She sees all of the excitement around her and thinks that this life will not be that bad. She imagines finding her friend who left earlier to be a maid. I think that Lakshmi sees opportunities in the city, and is so excited to finally be going somewhere on this long journey.

I don't really understand why Lakshmi got such nice clothing articles. I know she was sold to someone else shortly after...were the clothes simply for presentation? I think that Lakshmi was about as confused as I was, although I think she trusts her new Auntie. I think that she believes this may just be part of the life in the city. I was confused by Lakshmi being sold to the guy. I thought that the girl in the yellow had bought her. I don't think Lakshmi realizes that she was sold again to someone else. I feel so bad for her. Nothing is remaining constant in her life.

Sold (A Tiny Earthquake - A Trade)

The solution to their problems is so sad! I cannot believe that Lakshmi has to go work in the city. I can't imagine leaving my family when I was 13 to go work for the rest of my life. It is crazy, and really unfair. The stepfather is supposed to be the provider for their family, not his stepdaughter. I think Lakshmi handles the situation very well. Although she is nervous, she constantly reassures Ama that everything will be fine. She tells her that maybe now they can have a tin roof. She is a very strong young girl. I do not think many from America would be able to face what she is facing, but I suppose where she lives she grew up expecting something like this to happen. How strange is it that people in the same world can be growing up in such different situations? Ama faces the fact that her daughter is leaving pretty well too. I think mothers try to be distanced from their daughters because a daughter must leave soon anyway. She gives Lakshmi tips for working as a maid, and Lakshmi takes them to heart. Ama also tries to be extremely optimistic for Lakshmi, telling her how she will be the only family member to leave the mountain. This is so weird. I imagine that the mountain is small, so I find it strange that no one has ever left it. I suppose they do not have cars for travel, nor do they have the money to go anywhere else. I think that Ama and Lakshmi both had more deep feelings about her leaving than either was willing to admit.

While they are trying to send Lakshmi to the city, her stepfather answers the questions in a way that degrades Lakshmi a lot. I don't know how she was able to just stand there and let him criticize her in some ways. Has he looked in a mirror recently? Probably not, he must have gambled that luxury away! I cannot believe what Lakshmi is in for! They are talking about her looks and her hips, so I think she is in for more than just a job as a maid. I wonder if her stepfather knows this. He seems to know what the lady he is bargaining with is talking about, but at the same time, how could anyone knowingly sell even their stepdaughter into something like this? I really think that this is going to be like the monsoon...good at first, but slowly destroying everything in its path...

The stepfather is so selfish. When he receives the money, he picks out only things for himself. He does not even think about his wife or his son. Lakshmi has to put items into the basket for them. Surely it proves how selfish he is when his daughter, who is being sold away, perhaps never to see her family again, puts survival items for the others into his basket but does not ask for one thing in return while he thinks only of luxuries for himself!

Sold (The Price of a Loan - Nightfall)

I think that it is so unfair what Ama and Lakshmi have to give up for her father. All he does is gamble away everything they work hard for! If Ama had had even the slightest chance of keeping the family alive without selling her earrings, she would have. Those earrings were important to her. They represented a sense of pride, a richness that she would not have normally been able to afford. They were to go to Lakshmi's dowry to pass on the pride she felt in them. I just cannot believe the father doesn't feel any guilt about what he does to the family. He is out for himself, and only himself. The family barely has enough money to pay off their debts, and because of the debts they have very little food. They are not in a good condition to be living in. When Lakshmi's stepfather returns, he is wearing clothes from the city, rich clothing articles. I just don't understand how he can waste all of the family's money on such trivial things. I don't think it is just that they are women, because he has a son as well. If son's are so important, why is he not being sure to provide for his own?

I loved when you learn about how Lakshmi go her name from the goddess who blesses the pure and humble. I think this is so symbolic, because Lakshmi really is a pure and humble girl. She is living a life that she does not deserve, and I think that the festival must bring much hope into her heart and her mother's heart. The festival really did give them some blessings. Lakshmi got to be a child for a night, to enjoy not being stressed. And Lakshmi's stepfather won a motorcycle. Finally, the family was finding light in a difficult situation, then the stepfather gambled away the motorcycle. That was truly their last resort. I don't really know what they are going to do.

Sold (First Blood - A Bitter Harvest)

When Lakshmi starts her period, a lot of things change for her. She is no longer viewed as a child. She now had so many more responsibilities. Ama tells her of all of the things she must do or must refrain from doing now. I loved Ama's response when Lakshmi asked why women had to suffer in so many ways. Ama said, "This has always been our fate. Simply to endure is to triumph". The way that women are treated is so unfair. They are degraded in almost every aspect of their lives. Where they live, it has always been the fate of women. They have always been viewed as inferior. But to complain and try to change things in a way is a failure. They do not have the strength to overcome what they are going through. However, to be able to live the way that they are forced to live is a success. If ever a man had to go through what the women have to go through, they would never survive. I don't think the men would be able to endure the torment. The fact that a woman can go through that and still keep their identity, still love, still work to improve shows that they are triumphant over the men's attempt to degrade them entirely.

Lakshmi and her family are suffering because of the dry season. They pray for the monsoon to come. Rations have been placed on the water supply, and many crops are suffering. Whenever the monsoon arrives, they are extremely excited. They rejoice about the blessing. Soon however, the monsoon becomes too much. The fields begin to flood, and the house is leaking and falling apart. The very thing they had been praying for had destroyed them. In many ways I think that this is forshadowing what is to happen to Lakshmi in the future. I think that Lakshmi's future will look bright and full of opportunity, but will bring immense destruction upon her.

Sold (A Tin Roof - Confession)

In these chapters you really get to see that Lakshmi is a very responsible young girl, and you get to know her. Although her lifestyle is much different than that of an American girl, you can tell that she is just like us. In the beginning, she speaks about the luxury of a tin roof. Her friend had went to the city to work and now their family had a tin roof. I thought that this sort of paralleled to what American girls want. Today in America people, girls want i-pods, clothes, jewelry, computers, etc. The difference is that they are not the ones who have to work for it. Often it is their parents who will have to do extra work in order to support demands. When Lakshmi speaks about her step-dad, you can tell that he only cares about himself and his own happiness, and he is bringing the family down. You can tell that Lakshmi doesn't really like her father, but as a child and a girl, she has no power to help. Lakshmi was very blessed and was able to go to school. She was a very good student, and she loved to learn. Her mother wanted her to receive an education and to be able to have a better life than what they were living now. Lakshmi admires her mother and the struggles that she goes through to keep their family running. She describes her mothers back as the place where all of their troubles rest. I think that this is sad. Obviously Ama is giving more than she has. I can't imagine being in her place. Life on the mountain seems terribly hard, and I think she has more to deal with than most because of her husband. I admire her strength, and I believe that despite what her culture believes, she is definitely worth more than her husband. I also think that Lakshmi has a lot to deal with. She can see the troubles and burdens her mother has to deal with. She sees how her father is spoiling and wasting everything that her mother works so hard for. She is still a child, and she cannot really do much to help out. On top of all of this, her best friend has moved to the city to work. Whenever she confesses that she names her cucumbers, I think that she does it to cope what is going on in her life. The cucumbers are something that she can control. If she takes care of them, they will thrive, but if she neglects them, they will die. She doesn't have to worry about someone else spoiling them for her. I also think the cucumbers are filling in the holes people have left behind in Lakshmi's heart.